Louise Howard
Louise Howard mixes realism painting with abstract cubism to an unusual, yet poetic effect.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson
Primal by Louise Howard. Photo - courtesy of Louise Howard.
Archaic by Louise Howard. Photo - courtesy of Louise Howard.
Louise Howard currently lives in Perth but was born in the UK where she grew up drawing and painting from a young age — with her mum introducing her to oil paints at 16. Even though she tried different mediums, like clay and jewellery design, ultimately, painting has remained the mainstay and focus.
The artist wakes up early — beginning her day at 6.30pm with an Earl Grey and cuddles with her cat — before working intensively in the studio till 3pm. However, she always adds half an hour of critiquing, yet marvelling at her work. “It’s a habit that my husband finds a little more than bizarre,” Louise considers. “But, one I find necessary.”
A cool palette naturally arises with Louise’s artworks, and she’s used the same favourite colours for nearly 20 years: such as raw umber, raw Sienna, Prussian blue, titanium white and crimson red. But she shares, recently she’s been striving to mix more vibrant pinks and blues in her palette.
Sinew by Louise Howard. Photo - courtesy of Louise Howard.
Reverence by Louise Howard. Photo - courtesy of Louise Howard.
“Fine art has always been the constant for me, but I like to include elements of abstract into my paintings to add an edge to them — the goal is to marry the two styles effortlessly.”
“Completing a painting I am pleased with, allows for the most incredible sense of achievement like nothing else can,” shares Louise Howard. Pictured - Mustard Dressing by Louise Howard.
The colour and shades are reflected in Louise’s melancholic, intimate tone in her work. “I prefer my subject to present a sober, almost sombre visage,” the artist reflects.Influences from Lucian Freud can be seen throughout, in which the balance of realism, like the detailed faces of her models, is abstracted through a layering of colours, line and texture in the backgrounds.
The tension on the canvas is built through the position of the models; their bodies curl up or turn away, revealing human strength and vulnerability. For Louise, capturing their emotions and nuances is critical to her art. “The myriad of emotions and characteristics that we embody can be at once the most beautiful and the most ugly thing, which is quite extraordinary,” she shares.
“When humans at their most vulnerable, exposed and immediate self, this is often when their true beauty emanates.”
Working on creating art is something Louise describes as innate. “Whenever there was a period in my life where I didn’t paint, I noticed that I’d feel quite down and wretched,” the artist reflects. “Painting seems to qualify and justify my being.”
Louise is currently working on her solo exhibition at The Wellington Gallery in Waterloo, Sydney (29th August - 18th September) before heading to London to work on pieces for her gallery representation in Scotland, Artpistol Gallery, and for the next Saatchi art fair in London.
Falling Away by Louise Howard. Photo - courtesy of Louise Howard.
Louise Howard at work in her studio in Perth. Photo - courtesy of Louise Howard.