The artist has been painting since the age of seven. She completed a BA in Textile Design, followed by a year where she trained as an art teacher. She taught Art in the UK and Zambia before returning to England to head the Art Department at Queen's School in Chester.
Sue paints from her studios in the UK and Gozo, creating as she calls it, 'magic'. And in this solo exhibition, winged horses, mythological lovers, and magical landscapes form part of her latest offerings. Inspired by a painting of the Greek myth of Selene (the moon goddess) and shepherd Endymion, she brings to canvas, colour and sensitivity in her depiction of desire, yearning, and undying love. Feathery trees hide and protect the slumbering Endymion and his faithful dog, while love-smitten Selene watches from above. The landscape is very much of Nightingale's own making - purple, blue and gold - impossibly real except in the artist's mind.
Her series of horses continue to develop what Nightingale has been working on for several years. These winged equines, powerful yet elegant beasts that they are, glide across the landscape engaging with the lovers, drawing chariots, frolicking around the moon and galloping across patterned and beautifully textured magical carpets. They are a metaphor for the human figure, exulting in life and all it brings.
Nightingale's medium is a mixture of gouache and acrylics. She also uses powder metal paints which she pours onto the paper from the pot. As she states:"I very often have a good wind behind me from an open window that blows the poured paint in a very soft and natural way onto the colours already applied. I paint with rags, kitchen paper, large brushes, my fingers and hands and tiny brushes for more detailed work."
A limited collection of other paintings is inspired by children's stories and illustrate amongst other things, Lear's well-known poem of the Owl and the Pussycat. Nightingale's work can be seen at www.suenightingale.com
Sue Nightingale will be showing her collection of works at the Malta Postal Museum in Archbishop Street, Valletta from 3rd May until 6th June.
