Elaine Jones Debuts with First Contemporary at CCAF13

Bristol-based fine artist Elaine Jones is exhibiting for the first time at the Cambridge City Art Fair this autumn. Captivated by the beauty of vast, unpopulated landscapes, her first show in Scandinavia is inspired by a very special trip she made to the Arctic.

Ever curious about the impact of light on the Earth’s multifarious surfaces, she boarded a vessel – typically used for the passage of scientists – to explore the spectacular white planes of the Arctic illuminated by 24-hour sunlight. A lover of nature, Jones was also fascinated by the contradiction of a sparse environment where life still flourishes, abundant as it is with polar bears and rare birds. 

Her unique style captures the icy mountain peaks and great, glinting icebergs in soft, sweeping pastel tones that shine with an iridescent quality. As with all her work, Jones began these ethereal creations sketching on location. Back in the studio, she then used her drawings as inspiration for paintings on canvas. Far from being literal representations of what she saw, however, the final scenes are abstract distortions made up of poured paint, texture and smooth brushstrokes. 

These serene paintings, brought to life by interjections of wild colour, convey the atmosphere and mood of this isolated and threatened environment. With these interpretations, which appear to the viewer as though they are dream-like visions, Jones expertly captures the spirit of the precious and magical Arctic. 

Jones, brought up in the heart of the UK – the Midlands - has always enjoyed painting far away lands, and has delighted in locations ranging from Cornish beaches to the Costa Rican jungle. As part of her BA in Fine Art at Loughborough University, she went on a six-month exchange to Granada University in Spain. As a consequence of spending time in mainland Europe at such a formative stage in her career, she has a great affinity for this continent in particular. She is thrilled to now be presenting her latest collection of paintings to new audiences in the South East of England. 

Elaine's beautiful work will be available to view and buy via First Contemporary on Stands 46, 47 & 48.