Kerry Armstrong on the first year of being a full-time artist

It was only 12 months ago that Kerry Armstrong decided to walk away from the comfort of her lucrative career and give her hobby, painting, the attention it deserved. “I had a very full on corporate life that kept me extremely tied up, so painting was my dirty little secret,” says Kerry. “Whilst I had always painted, it was purely recreational, stress relieving and I was quite guarded about sharing it. But I just felt if I didn’t give my art the time and energy it warranted I would have suffered huge regrets and always wondered if it was in me.”

Thankfully Kerry’s gut instinct proved correct, with her vibrant and abstract artworks already receiving international acclaim. “Recently, I have been signed to exhibit in a stunning art space in Boston, which has been my biggest moment thus far,” explains Kerry. “I travel back to Boston for the launch event on 7 October. My excitement and relief to have sent such a huge body of work so far has been amazing!”

Painting on very heavy Italian linen, for Kerry, using the best materials is pivotal: “I’m pretty full on with my distressing techniques so quality products are a must!” Paint wise, she primarily uses acrylics and inks, which create a style that is energetic and colourful with a strong sense of movement.

Interestingly, this is the aesthetic that Kerry has always loved, calling herself an Early Impressionist junkie. “Whenever we travel, I take the opportunity to visit the major galleries, just to stand near and take in the amazing energy of the Abstract Impressionist pieces. My absolute favourite is artist Robert Motherwell, so I am always striving to bring simplicity to my work.”

Normally having a few paintings on the go at the same time – so layers can dry – Kerry likes to “spend time” with each piece, allowing for new ideas to grow, as well as giving herself some breathing space should creativity be at a standstill. Yet if Kerry ever needs to get that vital bit of inspiration, she actually finds it somewhere quite far away from the world of art: in her dreams. “I have often woken myself with hand (painting) movements and vivid memories of the textures and palette!”