Biography
My Path becoming an artist is a testament to resilience and the rediscovery of a long-held passion. My early aptitude for art was met with discouragement; years flew. It was during the widespread lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic that Critchley found herself drawn back to her creative roots. A suggestion from an online carers’ community led her to join an online was a turning point that would fundamentally reshape her perspective. This re-engagement with art made me the subjective nature of art.
Project Statement
This works “a bit moody, not so complex,” a description that belies the depth of emotion she manages to convey. I tried careful calibration of light and dark as central to her artistic philosophy. My work often leans towards landscapes and still life, but always viewed through a lens that stimulates mood and encourages reflection. I find that I need a quiet environment where ideas can surface, often during the liminal space between waking and sleep.
I hopes that each piece will stir some form of emotion in its viewer, recognizing that “in the quite spaces is where the emotion lies.” This sentiment is particularly evident in her painting titled “Gentle Bloom,” a piece dedicated to her mother, who passed away during the pandemic. The painting serves as a tribute, an acknowledgment of a celebration unfulfilled, and a profound expression of love and remembrance. I am trying to make art a gentle reminder to seek out and cherish the quiet moments.
