Gail De Cordova

Gail lives and works as a painter in Cambridge (UK). She achieved a first class BA (hons) degree in Fine Art at Exeter College of Art and Design in 1981, after which she lived in Madrid for a year. She has also spent a lot of time in Andalucia (where her ancestors came from) and in France and Italy. She has had solo shows both locally and in London, Scandinavia and Spain.

‘My work reflects a world of memory and dream. I am inspired by the natural world and how it touches us at a deeper level. I grew up in Cornwall – whose wild beauty is a strong influence as is the light and colour of Andalucia. My ancestors are from Cordoba, hence my name. I live and work in Cambridge; the ever-changing skies and flat watery strips of land are perfect for dreaming and reflecting.

I am passionate about the process of painting – and work very intuitively building up layers of different materials, which can include plaster, paper and both acrylic and oil paint. I love playing with the tactile qualities of the materials and also the illusory aspects of painting. I find the process transformational and I really live each painting as I make it. The most exciting moment is when, and I can never quite predict when this will happen, a painting takes on a life of its own. l then have to surrender to it and let it take me where I need to go.’

Night Journey

Listen to the podcast Arts Round Up Episode 26

Blue John