The inspiration for my Waterfall series began with the breathtaking waterfalls I encountered in Iceland. Their immense power and beauty left a lasting impression on me.
Closer to home, the tiny waterfalls in Wales also captivate me with their delicate charm. Both experiences have deeply influenced this work, allowing me to explore the vast and intricate facets of water.
Process
I build up layers by pouring or throwing paint across the surface, allowing gravity to become a collaborator in my process. This technique mirrors the natural flow and energy of waterfalls, where gravity guides the paint’s path.
Through this method, I blend colour and mark-making, to explore the emotional and physical sensations that waterfalls evoke. The unpredictable nature of paint also adds an organic authenticity to each piece, making the creation process as dynamic as the subject itself.
Inspiration Behind the Series
The series is deeply inspired by my connection to nature and my fascination with water. My travels to various natural sites have profoundly influenced these works, as I seek to capture not just the visual beauty of waterfalls but their ethereal and meditative qualities.
Richard Davey wrote “It is easy to see Booth as an abstract painter, playing with the language of colours and forms, as if disconnected from the world. But these paintings are not abstract, they are meta/physical landscapes, manifestations of the invisible rather than imitations of the visible.
Each piece reflects my intent to bridge the natural world with the viewer's inner landscape, creating a space where they can feel the serenity and power of these natural wonders.
a muted blue grey canvas, an abstract version of a waterfall
Scale and the Immensity of Nature
Working on a large scale is integral to this series, as it allows me to convey the immense presence of nature. Large canvases enable me to represent the overwhelming power and grandeur of waterfalls, making the viewer feel dwarfed by their majesty. This scale emphasises both the physical dimensions of waterfalls and their emotional impact, providing an immersive experience that makes one feel as though they are standing before the real, majestic cascades.
The Joys of Creating Small-Scale Waterfalls
Creating these smaller works presents unique challenges. Capturing the same depth and intensity on a smaller canvas requires a more concentrated approach, where each detail must be intensified to convey the powerful essence of waterfalls.
I enjoy the play of scale. Standing in front of a vast canvas allows you to become immersed in the paintings as they surround you. But the intimacy of these smaller pieces demands a more focused approach to evoke the vastness of nature within a confined space.