Ayse McGowan: 3 Artworks & 3 Questions
23 April 2026 in Studio Fridays Artists by Paul ReganTo help you get to know the Studio Fridays artists better, I’ve asked each of them to share three pieces of their work and answer three questions about their practice. Here is……
Ayse McGowan
1. My favourite work from last year is:
76x76cm
Acrylic on canvas
This painting is from the ‘Waterlilies and Ponds’ series which I started in 2025. I like the depth and range of colour, depicting a dreamy, magical corner of a lively pond.
2. The piece I am working on now is:
Untitled
Here is a section of a painting I’m working on at the moment. I’m continuing to work on the Waterlilies and Ponds series. I’m experimenting with different palettes and surfaces.
3. My favourite work ever is:
Acrylic on canvas
78 x102 cm
Deep was painted in 2022 and is a part of my ‘Coastal Journey’ series. Using bold colour and patterns I tried to convey the rich, textural elements in a corner of the coast.
4. Describe your work in ten words or less.
I paint from memories and sensations triggered by landscapes.
5. What subjects are you most interested in?
At the moment, landscape with some kind of water element. I’m forever fascinated by water, its movements and reflections.
6. Who are your artist influences?
I’m greatly influenced by impressionists because of their use of light, colour and expressive marks. My favourite artist is Sorolla, the Spanish impressionist. I love how he depicts dappled light in ‘Mending the Sail’. I’m also influenced by contemporary artists, such as Jenny Saville, for her use of paint in a visceral, layered and painterly manner. Frances Ryan, another artist that I’m influenced by. She’s an Irish painter who paints evocative paintings based on memory and the natural world.
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