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Anita Eastwood is a watercolour and mixed media artist who loves creating images that are bold and energetic in their form and utilising a vibrant colour palette.
Her passion for strong colour derives from spending most of her childhood in East Africa and Italy with her family. She is half Italian and speaks the language fluently. The sea, clear skies and wildlife can often be seen represented in her work.
Anita moved to Jersey in 1991 and has remained ever since. She worked full-time until three years ago when she took the decision to pursue her love of art and held her first solo exhibition one month later. She has never looked back!
Based at home, Anita paints on a selection of materials, which include canvas, board, paper, wood and slates. The wonderful walks along the cliffs and beaches in Jersey give inspiration for new work as well as supplying an assortment of recyclable material!
‘I kept finding pieces of slate on walks which I began to take home. After having collected a little supply I decided to experiment with painting on them. They became so popular that I soon ran out and after putting out an SOS to roofers, an angel came to my rescue and I now have a supply for life.’
The slate pieces are first cleaned, dried and then painted; when Anita is happy with the image, she then seals the item with varnish for protection so that the item can even be placed in the open air. Painting on slate is very tough on the brushes as the surface acts like a form of sandpaper, meaning she needs a good supply! The wood is sanded, cleaned and a glue mixture is applied so that the paint can adhere to it. It is then painted, varnished ….and voila you have a finished piece!
Anita chooses her pieces according to the illustration she is producing. She can supply bespoke pieces and has in the past created scenes from vintage cars, animals, paddleboarders to local scenic views.
Watercolour has always been her first love and she continues to produce work on canvas and paper. Veering more to the abstract but still in a ‘recognisable’ fashion, she steers the viewer to the depiction of the scene she is creating. This form of art is the most satisfying, in Anita’s view, as it is very difficult to control and you never know exactly what the result each piece will be. Very exciting!
Currently, Anita is working on a selection of new material for the Made in Jersey website which includes a mixture of paint, sea glass and pebbles on both slate and wood. She continues to experiment with mixed media on both acrylic and watercolour to produce visual representations of both local and international landscapes.
What does the future hold for Anita? Anita has illustrated a children’s book for an African charity, the first of three, which has been a thrilling new venture and will work on the second story this year. She has also produced a prototype image for another author, which she hopes will secure further illustrations. Anita has exhibited in various galleries in Jersey and more recently in Rome, Italy. She hopes to continue to produce further pieces of art work for exhibition.
Anita Eastwood Art products you can find on Made in Jersey:
Acrylic on slate pieces or hanging hearts
Slate pieces, unframed or framed and hanging hearts make a stunning gift for any event. They are individually hand painted images ranging from iconic Jersey landmarks, native wildlife and flora. Personalised images can be commissioned.
‘Circus of Puffins’ & ‘Standing Up’
These puffins are hand painted on recycled wood which has been sanded, cleaned and prepared for paint. The images come to life once the brush touches the wood. Lastly, varnish is used to preserve the paint and wood enabling these pieces to be placed outside or inside…perhaps on a shelf or that perfect little nook!
‘Rocco Tower’
Rocco Tower would enhance any wall and make a lovely gift or treat, Framed acrylic mixed media piece in wonderful misty blue, grey hue which is enhanced with by a touch of gold highlights.
