BTS | A Few Questions with Alicia Armstrong
Alicia's work is driven by curiosity and an intuitive exploration of color, texture, and form. Through the use of brushes, palette knives, and brayers, she layers and manipulates oil paint to create compositions that evoke the essence of natural landscapesโblurring the lines between abstraction and representation.
Each painting is an invitation to pause and reflect, offering a space where viewers can find their own connections and meanings within the interplay of color and texture.
Q: Can you tell us more about how you collect inspiration for your paintings? What made you want to approach painting from an abstract perspective?
A: Honestly, I just love color and how certain colors glow next to others. We see this in nature with electric hues of flowers and trees but it is not important to me to focus on the structure of foliage as much as the color.
Q: Your approach to painting seems to really focus on mark making and repetition. Can you take us through your process and how you make choices as you paint? How do you know when a painting is finished?
A: I always start with an underpainting that is usually reds/magentas or dark charcoals. The underpainting will inform the layers over it so it depends if I want a warmer or cooler toned painting. I make choices based on color relationships- some are analogous and some are complimentary. I build up layers until I start feeling a compositional element come in. I know when a painting is finished the same way one knows when they are full from eating. There is a full/satisfying feeling.
Q: How do you build paint to create complexity in layers?
A: I aim to capture the fleeting impressions of light and atmosphere, much like the sensation of viewing a distant meadow or a hazy horizon. I paint on both canvas and wood panel, as each surface offers distinct qualities: canvas provides a subtle texture and flexibility, while wood panel offers a smooth, rigid foundation that allows for intricate detail and rich texture. This experimentation with different surfaces enhances the depth and character of each piece.
Q: Do you have a favorite artist or artists?
A: I love Anne Bachelier and her use of soft oranges, Gustav Klimt has always been a favorite, and I have an affinity for Zoey Frank.
Q: What inspires you to keep painting when there are so many mediums and options to choose from?
A: I think itโs the visual language I am most comfortable speaking. I have done print making, sculpture, and ceramics. I like the fluidity of paint and how there are so many different ways to apply it on different surfaces. I never find myself lacking curiosity which is awesome.
Explore Alicia's gorgeous paintings currently on view in Where Wild Things Grow
Picked for You
Works listed above are featured Alicia's collection currently on view through the end of June 2025. Explore all of Alicia's available inventory HERE.