Ashley Harkness

Ash was born in Belfast Northern Ireland in 1965 and emigrated to Australia when he was 12 years old.
He has been painting and taking photographs both here and overseas for over 20 years.
He is essentially a landscape painter with his love for nature, big skies, texture and colour.
His paintings are about space. They are often quite large in scale and the depth he creates means standing in front of one evokes a feeling of being there.
They are modern and calm.
He has participated in group shows both overseas and in Australia. Painted various commissions and his work is in private collections here, Ireland and the UK.
ARTIST STATEMENT
All of us are affected by the environments we spend time in. Colour, texture, space and light generate a mood or a feeling. My paintings are about a personal connection to the natural environment.
I do not paint specific places or scenes. I go into the studio and let my imagination take me on a journey to undiscovered places.

New exhibition is touchy-feely

December 20 2011
Ashley HarknessDrysdale landscape artist Ashley Harkness. Photo: MICHAEL CHAMBERS

A mutual love of texture is the common theme in a joint exhibition at As Iz gallery, which opened last weekend.

Drysdale couple Ashley Harkness and Vimala O’Brien use different mediums and have different subject matters, but rich texture makes them ideal exhibition partners.

Irish-born Mr Harkness has painted landscapes for over 20 years and loves big skies, nature and colour. His work is in private collections in Australia, the UK and Ireland.

Indian-born Ms O’Brien is an Encaustic artist, an ancient art form which uses beeswax and resin to form deeply textured paintings. O’Brien started her love affair with wax as a candlemaker, and says her works are emotional and healing, partly because they emit a wonderful smell, as well as a depth that draws the viewer in.

Wax paintings are hardy and will not melt, unless placed very near an open fire. They are impervious to moisture and will not deteriorate, but can be buffed to a sheen if necessary.

The exhibition Ancient Modernism and Natural Places runs until January 15 and entry is a $2 donation. As Iz gallery is normally open at weekends only, but opens from Tuesday to Sunday in January. To view the artworks visit .au. To view the article go to entertainment/art/2011/12/20/new-exhibition-is-touchy-feely/#.TwFbwVateG1

A mutual love of texture is the common theme in a joint exhibition at As Iz gallery, which opened last weekend.

Drysdale couple Ashley Harkness and Vimala O’Brien use different mediums and have different subject matters, but rich texture makes them ideal exhibition partners.

Irish-born Mr Harkness has painted landscapes for over 20 years and loves big skies, nature and colour. His work is in private collections in Australia, the UK and Ireland.

Indian-born Ms O’Brien is an Encaustic artist, an ancient art form which uses beeswax and resin to form deeply textured paintings. O’Brien started her love affair with wax as a candlemaker, and says her works are emotional and healing, partly because they emit a wonderful smell, as well as a depth that draws the viewer in.

Wax paintings are hardy and will not melt, unless placed very near an open fire. They are impervious to moisture and will not deteriorate, but can be buffed to a sheen if necessary.

The exhibition Ancient Modernism and Natural Places runs until January 15 and entry is a $2 donation. As Iz gallery is normally open at weekends only, but opens from Tuesday to Sunday in January. To view the artworks visit .au. entertainment/art/2011/12/20/new-exhibition-is-touchy-feely/#.TwFbwVateG1

Australian painter Ashley Harkness creates contemporary acrylic paintings which are heavily influenced by environmental and natural elements. Many of his works are made specifically for interior designers, architects, high-end homes, and businesses seeking an ultra-modern twist on the classic landscape.

Ashley attacks the canvas with brilliant texture and color, alternating between warm and cool tones for finished paintings that are both serene and powerful. No doubt Australia’s lonely landscapes, soaring skies and crashing coasts play a huge part in acting as Ashley’s artistic muse.

Hot Horizon is certainly one of his more expressly abstract pieces, but I can still perceive an infinite skyline and scorching sunset.

Hot Horizon

As red and blue meet in all their glory, Ashley adds intricacy to this minimalist painting by overlapping his brighter hues with darker notes of dusky blue and gray. He imparts a sense of profound isolation, through both his color choices and the fact that nothing exists on the horizon but a crimson line of fire.

We switch gears with this next painting and its turquoise water. Greens and blues are “cool” hues in the art world, and the abundant use of these subdued colors are what gives this painting its calming effect.

Untitled Seascape

Just let your eyes trail along the greenery to the water’s edge, and you’ll see how easy it is to let your mind rest and forget about the problems of the day.

In this final piece, entitled Take Me To The Island, Ashley added an abundance of thick texture that plays well into the overall scene.

Take me to the Island

A lively background texture brings complexity to the clouds sweeping through the sky, and gives the grass definition. Dark horizon lines, as well as the darkness in the foreground, add even more clarification to a gorgeous painting which is not nearly as abstract as some of Ashley’s other works.