Sue Malkin

Biography

As a long-established artist, I have for many years enjoyed interpreting equestrian subject-matter, with expression of movement playing a vital part. I use fluid brushwork and bold use of colour to add drama and movement in a vibrant approach, the loose outlines of the forms tending to suggest an action in progress. My paintings are oils on canvas, with smaller works on paper using mixed media. Sketch book drawings on location form the basis of nearly all of my work, whether watching showjumping, at the racecourse, or a polo match. The rapid marks on the sketch-book pages are the result of intense observation, that lead through stages to finished larger compositions. I search for a few seconds of superimposed movement rather than a frozen snapshot.

My degree in Fine Art from the University of Leeds was mostly focussed on figure and life drawing, and I find that, as with the human figure, the bone and muscle structure of the horse dictate clearly what we see on the surface. This underlying anatomy and the play of light on the form together with the associations of speed lend themselves to a painterly approach. The combination of athleticism, power, and elegance is fascinating and gives me an endless resource of subject-matter, and I hope I manage to convey these qualities in my paintings.

My work has been shown in public and private galleries in the UK and France, winning awards and has been selected in open competitions. I exhibit currently mostly in the north-east, – I live in Northumberland and the remote and wild fell landscapes where I ride also feature in my repertoire. I volunteer with RDA, which gives me a weekly opportunity to witness the empathy and connection of a horse to a rider, – a real privilege.
Website:- suemalkin.co.uk
Instagram :- suemalkinart