Emma Hughes has lived on Waiheke Island since 2002. Her paintings explore the delicate balance between spontaneity and control, which she expresses through evocative seascapes and colourful, visually complex abstract works.

 

“For me, painting is a conversation with the canvas; a collaborative endeavour whereby I try to remain open to what happens during the process of making. I begin by laying down a riot of colour and shape on the canvas – there is freedom, fun and a delicious mindless-ness to this part of my creation process. Following these first layers, I work to decipher the puzzle I have set for myself, wrangling the chaos into submission through the use of line, shape, colour and rhythm.

 

My goal is to create exciting works that invigorate the senses. There are always pockets of interest to be found by the inquisitive viewer – little portals into other worlds; a hidden landscape here, a brooding figure there.

It always surprises me how the smallest change can affect the entire direction of a work, and I see this as being a bit like life: The details matter… all the decisions, all the actions lead to something else. Each creative choice opens new avenues, while closing others. With the flick of a brush everything changes; a new path is set, and the journey takes a turn.