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MIXED MEDIA
ALICE THOMSON Sometimes a desired result is just out of reach – not quite capturable with one material. In her renderings of Cambridge, artist Alice Thomson refuses to be constrained by one medium, often blending collage techniques with bold brush strokes and striking drawing. She studied reportage illustration at art college and has since settled in Cambridge, her work returning again and again to its local landscapes – despite often heading elsewhere with her husband, who works in the travel industry. The concept behind reportage illustration is to capture the ‘essence’ of a place. For Cambridge, Alice says it is “the culture, movement and vibrancy – and I aim to capture the vitality in my mixed-media pieces. “There is a great community of artists in Cambridge, and I get involved in a few events,” Alice says. “I am a member of the Cambridge Drawing Society, a lovely community of professional and semi-professional artists, which opens mixed shows in Cambridge. Artists also share workshops, so we can all meet and learn from each other.” Alice says Cambridge Open Studios, which she gets involved with each year, is another mainstay: “Many workshops and events are advertised and it is a great networking platform for meeting other artists.”
PEN AND WATERCOLOUR Naomi Davies Creativity often comes from unexpected places. Naomi, who has lived in
The particular skillset Naomi gained from her former line of work has fed into her artistic style: “I’m all about accuracy – I like to record what I see, wheelie bins and all. I’m quietly creating my personal archive of Cambridge. I just don’t get or enjoy abstract art.” The city she has lived in for decades features often. “Even its lowly boathouses are very special,” Naomi says. “It’s a cultural and, for its size, cosmopolitan city. It’s the best of both – you can hear six different languages in one coffee shop, yet also see someone you know. The city has a place in the hearts of everyone who spends time here. I like that my paintings can elicit strong emotions in those people.”
Cambridge since she studied history at the university, was running her own business as a genealogist. Feeling the toll of working alone, she started to visit indie coffee shops to draw. In the same month, she was asked by two different owners whether they could exhibit her work on their walls. “At those very first exhibitions, I couldn’t believe that so many people bought my drawings,” Naomi says. “I tried doing the genealogy and art for a year, but something had to give. Being able to earn my living as an artist was the best choice for me because every day is different and interesting.”
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK NOVEMBER 2023 19
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