My art reflects my life experiences and the people and things that are most important to me.
I predominantly use acrylic and oil paint on wooden board because the smoothness of the wood allows me to create detailed realistic portraits. I like to use my hands to move the paint around as this creates exciting and unexpected results, revealing the grain and flaws in the wood through the paint, and by using my fingers I feel I am adding a part of me to the mark making, which then adds more depth to the finished painting. I like the background to be smooth so that the subject itself can be more prominent, with the thicker application of paint and texture. I include items in the painting that are personal or of special significance to the sitter, which reveal their personality, and help to tell their story.
Recently I have been using bold colours and experimental techniques to create a trippy and intense effect that is both fun and direct, yet dream-like and psychedelic, and I like to add aura-like lines and bright intense pop art style details to the background to make the realism of the portrait stand out against the brightly coloured surrealism of the background.
My themes are centred around people and what’s most important to them.
My art is evolving over time and is becoming more expressive, I’m excited about where it is heading.
Abigail Winfield is a self-taught artist based in Barnstaple, North Devon, with a passion for capturing the essence of people through her vibrant and unique portraits. Art has always been a part of Abigail’s life, but it took on a deeper significance when she found her mother's oil paints while clearing out her house after she moved into a nursing home.
Primarily focused on portraiture, Abigail’s work is an exploration of the people who surround her. She finds individuals endlessly fascinating, and this curiosity is reflected in her art. Having completed her art O-level many years ago, Abigail is essentially self-taught, relying on an intuitive understanding of form and colour to bring her subjects to life.
What sets Abigail’s portraits apart is her commitment to depicting the essence of the person she’s painting. She predominantly chooses subjects close to her because she believes that familiarity allows her to communicate more about them through the art. Abigail strives to capture the things of importance to her subjects, creating a visual narrative that goes beyond a simple likeness.
Bright colours and bold outlines are the hallmark of Abigail’s style, she revels in the contrast between a true-to-life portrayal and an abstract cartoonish style, finding that this duality enhances the impact of the portrait. It's Abigail’s way of making each piece stand out thus capturing the viewer's attention.
Abigail has an internal compulsion to paint, ideas form in her mind and she is compelled to bring them to life on canvas. Abigail has a plethora of concepts swirling in her head, and is driven to manifest them into tangible, visual stories. Painting people isn't just a creative outlet for Abigail; it allows her to immerse herself in their passions and stories, becoming a part of their narrative through art.
Art is Abigail’s sanctuary where she has complete control. It's not just about creating visually striking portraits; it's about expressing the multitude of ideas and stories that constantly fill her mind. Each stroke is a deliberate choice, a step towards realising the vivid visions that inspire her.
