Three Artists Inspiring Me Right Now! (September 2026)
I've been a little overwhelmed during September, and I can't believe it's already over. Sorry for the late monthly post, but since it's only one day late I'm sure no one will mind!
This past month I've come across three artists I hadn't seen before, and was struck by their different brushwork, subject matter, and techniques!
Hannah is a lino print artist and is incredibly skilled! While all her work is amazing, there was one particular project of hers that I was really struck by.
This mono print and lino print combination stood out to me as an amazing way to take a design and make each individual print unique and unexpected in the best way possible.
She has a clean and unique lino print design that she uses for the linework that goes over the top of the messier monoprint layer with smushed paint and merged colours.
I love the variety of what comes out of each printmaking iteration, and how creative this process is to shake up the process of making repetitious lino prints!
Takeaway - merge processes and relinquish control to let prints turn out uniquely unexpected!
Francis's landscapes are breathtaking, and I have been struck by his incredible use of brushwork and colour to elevate the nature he captures in his paintings.
Not only does he have an amazing control over the use of colour, he is able to capture a natural feeling that also eels enhanced from typical everyday life.
One thing that also stands out to me is his ability to choose a composition that draws the viewer in. For example, capturing a staircase weaving up into the trees, or a canal with beautiful reflections weaving into the horizon.
The way he uses smaller brushstrokes that are still almost like visible dots is an incredible method of creating a sense of detail when you zoom out and see the whole picture as well!
Takeaway - smaller impressionistic brushwork, saturated but controlled use of colour, compositions that lead the eye
The way that Annieo captures light is hands down astonishing to me. Her paintings are not quite still life, not quite interior, not quite landscape. Instead she paints the materiality of particularly translucent things with dappled sunlight.
Her use of colour to make the scene feel somehow abstract yet nostalgic is quite magical. Although I don't remember a specific memory of seeing something quite like this, it feels personal.
Her use of softness is something that interests me, as I often find that over-blending can be a weakness of mine that creates a greyness. Most of the time I have to force myself to commit to a brushstroke.
I do like the looser, unblended style that I'm often moving towards. However, it's nice to see an example of how and when the softness would be useful to capture a feeling in an inanimate yet moving scene like the ones she paints.
Takeaway - use of colour and blending to create softness and nostalgia, merging subject matter to create something new
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In conclusion I seem to be finding more inspiration in technique this month, whether it's about merging processes or exploring a method of painting that I don't quite have a handle on yet.
What always seems to be the case each month is my tendancy to be drawn towards someone who uses an enhanced or saturated use of colour. I will always find them beautiful!
Did you know any of these artists before? If not, what did you like about their work?
Have an amazing October!
Lina xxx