The main focus of my various art forms, is my fascination with the natural world. Nature is a constant source of inspiration to me, and it is the way I restore and heal. My art is a response to the landscape I inhabit. My work explores the mediums of watercolour, acrylic & oil painting as well as felted textiles.

Watercolour enables me to react to my surroundings on my travels. Wherever I am in the world, my paints and pads come with me and allow me to capture the landscape that I am in. I am drawn to the shapes and patterns found in nature, which is a result of my formal training in textile design, which I completed in Australia.

My Sri Lankan roots have infused in me a lifelong love of bold and uplifting colours. I draw on childhood memories; of times spent in my mothers’ garden filled with exotic plants and vegetables. These experiences continue to form my adult life. My garden and allotment are a constant source of inspiration for my paintings. Sri Lanka is a country that is rich in culture and history. Living and growing up alongside different religions has given me a respect for all cultures, and a strong spiritual outlook on life. I use symbols to convey a message of hope and optimism in my art.

Felting is a medium that I love working in. It is a traditional craft that involves merino wool tops, hot water, soap and friction in order to interlock fibres, and create a background that consists of many layers. It is a slow and physically demanding process.

I am currently exploring this craft technique and experimenting with printing techniques which are incorporated into the layers of fibres. Itis an exciting time that I look forward to, as I explore different ways of growing as an artist.

Kanj Nicholas