Debbie Ayles

Artist statement

Concepts 
I am interested primarily in lines and the patterns and spaces in between. Architecture offers a limitless variety of opportunities to create work based on linear descriptions.
As an evolution from my earlier series of paintings concentrating on dilapidated East Anglian Barns, I have recently been inspired by other types of buildings.  A commission to paint Lloyds of London for a client made me look at other structures from modern office blocks to historical sites, buildings undergoing restoration and ‘new builds’. 

These have resulted in a number of paintings where scaffolding has been an important part of the composition.  The structure of the building underneath and the support network of the scaffolding enfolding it offer an increased complexity.  This complexity carries over into my drawings where I emphasise various qualities such as patterns, angles and shapes.  The next stage is the painting. I find that some lend themselves to pure linear treatment with a subtle background formed from a simplified detail of the main building.  In others I use a complicated mosaic of pastel colours to solidify the structures and reduce the strength of the lines.

Influences
I have been influenced by the rigid structure and illusions of Bridget Riley but also the patterning of Klimt, Schiele, Boetti and Klee. My images have been compared to Op Art for the tricks they play on the eye.

Career path

2013 has started well with being selected to the Royal Watercolour Society Contemporary Watercolour Exhibition, Bankside, London again with 'Restoration Project: Cromer', a solo exhibition at the Over the Sofa Gallery, Wivenhoe, Essex and part of a joint exhibition entitled 'Covert & Obscured' at The Brentwood Gallery, Romford, Essex.

2012 started with being selected to the Royal Watercolour Society Contemporary Watercolour Exhibition, Bankside, London and continues through to selection for Eastern Open, Norwich Castle Open Art Show and 'Visions of East Anglia' exhibitions.

In 2011 I had work in both the London Group Open and The New English Art Club Open, which sold.

In 2007 my painting, Norfolk Barn I, was selected for the prestigious London Group Open in London. It was selected again for the Norwich Castle Open Art Show. I have taken a brave step since 2007 as I have entered a new phase in my painting style. It is reassuring that this development seems to appeal to my audience: ‘These are paintings that I fully expect to see featured in glossy magazines, on walls of loft-style appartments or trendy London homes. If an interior designer hasn’t discovered Debbie Ayles’ works yet, I would be very surprised and rather disappointed.’ Rachel Sloane, East Anglian Daily Times, 30 August 2008. In January 2009 The Independent newspaper covered my artwork and the research that developed from my 2004-6 sciart collaboration.

In 2005 I won the 'Art meets Science' category of the Daily Telegraph/Novartis Photographic awards. In 2006 I was the co-contributor for the chapter 'Sarah Raphael's Migraine with Aura as Inspiration for the Foray of Her Work into Abstraction', in 'The Neurobiology of Painting' edited by F Clifford Rose, published by Academic Press, Elsevier, San Diego, Volume 74 of the 'International Review of Neurobiology'. Also in 2006 Jesmond Barn was used to illustrate an article in BBC Focus Magazine. The Science magazine published my artwork and the sciart research (Issue 13 July 2007). 

In 2004 Arnold Wilkins and I received a 'sciart Research and Development Award' from The Wellcome Trust to explore the relationship between pattern combinations and colour, and the visual stress they can induce. This Award culminated in an Exhibition in July 2006 at the University Gallery, University of Essex.

In 2003 some of my images were included in 'L'Arte/di Giorgio de Chirico' published in Milan along with several quotes, 'The New York Daily Newsletter' published a web article I co-wrote.  I have appeared on local radio stations to publicise exhibitions and talk about art as well as a BBC World Service broadcast about migraine in art.

Additionally I have co-written published papers in medical reviews including the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine in August 2002 and Cephalalgia 2002. 

From time to time I teach art degree students as well as give talks to art groups and GCSE art students.  I also take on commissions for clients.

Clients include Starbucks, The Wellcome Trust Photographic Library, Essex County Council, NHS and Private.