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WHEN Mexican muralist, David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896 to 1974) 1st devised his new technique for applying colour directly onto canvas by layering paints of contrasting densities:- 'inadvertent painting,' he kickstarted a 20th Century artistic movement that provided artists with an alternative method of 'painting' that no longer relied on traditional brushwork to realise their designs and concepts.

By dripping and splashing watery pigment directly across a prepared surface, artists like American Abstract Expressionists:- Jackson Pollock and Paul Jenkins, went on to open up a whole new era of psychedelic abstract painting.

Local artist, Henrietta Ackah Joyce, continues their legacy with her own take on liquid art in her latest exhibition, at the:- ArtHouse, in Southport, Merseyside.

Henrietta Ackah Joyce commented:- "I'm inspired by light, shape, pattern, colour, texture and in my immediate environment. The reason I chose the title:- 'Land, Sea and Salty Air' is because I love landscapes, seascapes and now live by the beach. Living in the wonderful coastal town of Southport allows frequent opportunities to enjoy mixing exercise with beach combing and meditation."

Rejoicing in the endless creative possibilities, it is the spontaneity and unpredictability of the brushless technique that still attracts Henrietta: "I don't like to draw, so I usually pour my paint straight onto canvas. The amazing thing for me is the reveal when the painting is completed. Often, it doesn't look like I envisioned, especially when I create a fluid art painting, but that is all part of experimenting."

First encountering fluid art at a gallery exhibition 5 years ago, Henrietta scoured the internet to learn more about the fascinating procedure: "I found out that fluid is also known as flow art or liquid art and is an abstract art form that uses acrylic paints with a fluid or runny consistency. This technique involves the use of a pouring medium mixed with acrylic paint or mica pigments or inks. The acrylic paints react with each other when combined to make interesting and visually organic motifs."

As the Fluid Art revolution gained momentum, more and more application procedures have emerged to match the inventiveness of its future practitioners ranging from dirty pour, flip cup, dip, swirling and spinning to manipulating paint with a hair dryer or string.

Lightly dragging the top layer of the poured paint to expose the paint underneath:- 'swiping' resulting in hypnotic patterns of bunched cells, became an instantly addictive method:- "The swipe technique is probably one of the most familiar acrylic paint pouring techniques. This method is easily identified by lacing and cells that are outlined by the colour that was swiped. The swipe colour frequently is highlighted along 1 of the sides or through the centre of the pour."

Initially, finding time to pursue her own career as an artist inevitably took a back seat as the increasing demands of her role as a Primary School Teacher forced Henrietta to temporarily hang up her metaphorical paintbrushes:- "Growing up in Hull, then Liverpool, I have always enjoyed making things, drawing pictures and stitching. I remember being inspired by family days out to museums, art galleries and stately homes. Whilst training to teach early years and primary School children, my interest in art was re-born. Unfortunately, the weight of work as a primary School teacher left no time for developing my own art. Instead, I delighted in organising and leading School visits to art centres and places of historical interest."

It was while employed as a School Teacher, that Henrietta 1st began dipping her toe into various art disciplines by attending specialist night classes, but had to wait until stepping away from teaching before she was able to devote all her energies to following her passion:- "Since retiring 5 years ago I have been able to focus on my own artwork and enjoyed attending numerous virtual and in person training courses. My art has evolved over time into mixed media techniques incorporating fluid art, found objects, prints, photography and recycled objects."

Although Henrietta gets pleasure from working across several areas of visual art, her current main interest is experimenting with the flexible layering and compositional effects achieved through Collage:- "Creating is a form of therapy for me, particularly when I Collage, because I use all my senses to soak in the textures, shapes, aroma and the sound of the items I select. I love the idea of using found objects and recycling to create something new and exciting. When I start a painting, there are no rules. Sometimes, I know what I am going to do. Other times, I don't know what I'm going to do. I sometimes paint from memory and other times, I paint from photographs I have taken myself, using artistic licence to interpret what I see."

Taking inspiration from Art Nouveau and its German counterpart, Jugendstil, favourite artists are:- Van Gogh, Antoni Gaudí, Gustav Klimt, William Morris and Charles Rennie Mackintosh... Henrietta continues to challenge convention as her freewheeling spirit directs her own distinctive handwriting:- "Through these different art forms, I create abstract art that reflects the world around me. Over the past 2 years, I have enjoyed extending my poured art into creating functional art such as clocks, jewellery, vases, wine glasses and I am presently trialling poured art on garments and accessories."

Evidence of Henrietta's free-flowing exploits with fluid art will be on view at the:- ArtHouse, Eastbank Street, Southport, from:- 9 May to 20 May 2023.