Art at The Park ‘From Then Till Now’ by Trudie Shannon

Trudie Shannon’s exhibition ‘From Then Till Now’

The Art at the Park Gallery, The Folk and Costume Museum, Saumarez Park,

Tuesday 29^th July until Friday 29^th August 10am until 5pm daily. (Please note that on the final day the exhibition will close at 2pm.) 

Free entry, accessible friendly

My name is Trudie Shannon. I am a Guernsey born poet and artist. I started writing poetry aged nine, and painting aged eighteen and I have never stopped.

I had my first exhibition in 1982 and have gone on to hold exhibitions on the island, in Jersey, the UK and in France. My most recent being in the Greenhouse Gallery in 2021.

I have published three collections of my poetry and painting. The most recent, ‘Rippling’ published in 2024.

I am rarely inspired to draw from life, from reality. My inspiration is founded in feeling rather than a visual stimulation.

I have no pre-conceived plan of the outcome of the image when I first put pencil to paper. Once I actually pick up a brush, I feel my way into the image and into colour.

It is not a conscious action but a sensation that encapsulates me physically. As I regard my palette, I feel drawn to particular colours. Each image is a mystery journey from its outset to its conclusion.

My medium is, and always has been watercolour, though I do not use it in the conventional sense. I use little dilution which produces such intensity of colour. that viewers often think the medium is either acrylic or poster paint. I tend to use very fine brushes as much of the work is finely detailed, leading people to think, especially with black and white images, that they are done in pen and ink.

I do not and cannot paint to order.

Over the years I have been asked many times if I have travelled to South America or Africa. I have even had reference made to Aboriginal art as my paintings seemed to be reminiscent of the artwork of these places. The answer is No, but I am humbled by the thought.