Biography

Eleanor Allit painter

Location: London, United Kingdom
Style: Collage & Mixed Media

When I was a teenager, many years ago I was a frequent visitor to a bird observatory on the coast near Seahouses,Northumberland. I had a unique opportunity to watch birds in the company of fellow enthusiasts. Taking the boat ‘Glad Tidings’ over to the Farne Islands was always a highlight.

Old Billy’s weather beaten hands were at the tiller. We gasped with amazement to see the crowds of guillemots nudged close together on the crevices of the vertical rocks. Our ears were filled with the plaintiff cries of kittiwakes. The salt sea spray splashed over our faces as we stood up in the swaying boat, binoculars at the ready to get a closer look. My memories of beaches, and waders has led me to realise what a very unique habitat this is, it teems with a precious abundance. Its richness is an inspiration, it is a precious gift we must take care of. Birds are often indicators, their numbers reflect the health of the habitat. These memories and more inspire my work.

My medium is paper collage and mixed media, as well as mixed media on old fence panels.Here the birds are often in flight, indicating life’s journey through many lands and challenges. I like to make use of previous discarded paintings, as well as scrap paper. I tear up many found papers and scraps of pictures Further to the care for the planet I use flour and water paste. The work veers towards abstraction,I build up rich juxtapositions of colour and texture, which all reflect the richness of this unique habitat. The slightly abstract quality serves to introduce an element of escape from the everyday, and from the pull of gravity.