Felicity Jackson

My lifelong interest and passion has been the natural world, and this is reflected in my preferred subjects, wildlife and landscapes, although mellowed old buildings, and townscapes, also appeal to me. Watercolour is my favourite medium – I love its delicacy and spontaneity, I find it lends itself well to loose wet into wet landscapes and to detailed animal studies, and even to the world of the imagination. Landscapes, I think, are best painted on-the-spot, taking in the colour and feel of the moment; for animal studies I do use photographs, but I like to observe the way the animal moves and behaves, so as to bring it to life. Pastel is another of my preferred media, in which some lovely, quite different effects can be achieved. Most of my subject matter is strictly representational, but whatever the subject, I always try to capture the essence and ‘spirit’. I have lived in Derby most of my working life, and make excursions whenever I can into the wonderful countryside all around, and, of course, observe the wildlife.