Charlotte Houlihan
Working from life, I create honest and thoughtful studies of the beauty and expression of the human figure. They are direct, often spontaneous observations of our body language and nature as much as an individual's form and features, quickly recorded in oil paints or inks.
I graduated with a BA Hons in Furniture and Product Design from Ravensbourne in 2000 and have worked in design ever since - founding a luxury stationery brand. However, art has always been at the heart of my work and throughout my design career I always painted from life. The natural career break created by the birth of my children allowed me to rethink and today I juggle the two disciplines (and my children). I've been lucky enough to study under the watchful eye of artist and former RCA tutor Bobby Gill since 2004, and her studio in Notting Hill continues to be my favourite place to paint.
I always feel as though I'm walking a tightrope when I paint and I prefer to allow it to lead me, rather than the other way around. My aim is always to push my painting forward and to challenge myself, while exploring what interests me. I'm fascinated by people and their complexities and individuality.
