Annette Aspen’s abstract expressionist paintings are deeply rooted in personal experience, using colour, movement and layered mark-making to transform emotion into something tangible. For Aspen, painting is both a creative practice and a cathartic process, allowing her to explore the complexities of living with epilepsy while consciously creating work that ultimately carries a sense of positivity and hope.
Largely self-taught, Aspen has developed her visual language through experimentation as well as courses with artists including Jodie King and Rose Hewartson. Working primarily in acrylics from her home studio in Tunbridge Wells, she begins intuitively, often with meditation, doodling and music before building layers of paint and scratching back through the surface to reveal what lies beneath.
Her neurological journey is inseparable from her practice. Following recent brain surgery and intensive rehabilitation, Aspen returned to painting with Rewired, her first completed work since the operation, which she intends to gift to The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in thanks for her care. Her commitment to the neurological community also extends beyond the studio, with 20% of her art sales donated to The National Brain Appeal.
In this interview, Aspen discusses finding her artistic voice, the role of painting in processing emotion, the artists who have influenced her, and what returning to the studio after brain surgery has meant for her practice.
Are you self-taught, or did you undertake formal artistic training?
I’m self-taught, although I have taken a few courses to improve my colour mixing and help me ‘find my voice’. I took courses with Jodie King and Rose Hewartson. Jodie taught me a great deal about colour, while Rose took me through the whole creative process.
How would you define your visual language or conceptual approach?
I would define my art as abstract expressionism. It portrays how I’m feeling at a specific moment in time, but I would never let a painting go unless it had a positive feeling to it.
Although I use painting as a form of art therapy, each work is cathartic and I am very mindful of the energy it exudes.
Can you describe your creative process from conception to completion?
I usually begin with meditation and doodling. I then choose a colour palette and simply start getting paint onto the canvas
I work in acrylics because they can be cleaned off easily if I were to have a seizure while painting. Over time, I have learnt how to build layers and scratch through them to reveal the colours beneath.
The beauty of abstract art is that almost anything goes, within reason. More than anything, I’m just grateful that I can still paint after undergoing brain surgery to reduce my seizures.
Does narrative, symbolism or storytelling play a role within your work?
My work is deeply personal, and its narrative is very much my neurological journey. It is about bringing order out of chaos and creating beauty from something as difficult as epilepsy.
Which artists have most influenced you, historically or contemporarily, and why?
Monet and Van Gogh have influenced me since childhood. I have always felt a particular connection to Van Gogh because of his own struggles with neurological illness.
This year I was lucky enough to visit the Musée d’Orsay and see their paintings in person. I was amazed by how moved I was, particularly by the scale and presence of Monet’s water lilies.
More recently, I have discovered Megan Rooney, whose paintings I adore. I also follow a huge number of artists on Instagram, where there is a wonderful sense of mutual support between artists around the world. Some of my favourite contemporary artists are based in Canada and Australia.
What personal, cultural or environmental influences shape your practice?
I want to demonstrate that creativity is possible regardless of disability. I also feel a strong need to give something back to the neurological community.
I donate 20% of my art sales to The National Brain Appeal, helping to fund research into neurological conditions, including epilepsy.
Where is your studio based, and how does the space inform your creativity?
My studio is at home. Because I have been unable to travel easily to a separate studio, my husband created one for me at the back of our garage.
I work there most days, and having that dedicated space so close to home has allowed me to continue developing my practice.
Do you have any rituals or rhythms that anchor your studio practice?
I light some Palo Santo before I meditate, which instantly helps me relax. I always begin with doodles and usually paint while listening to music.
What bodies of work or projects are you currently developing?
I have recently had a forced break from painting after brain surgery left me unable to move the right side of my body.
Following intensive therapy, my neural pathways have begun to restore themselves and I have now completed my first painting since the operation, titled Rewired.
I am going to gift the painting to The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery as a thank you.
Where can collectors encounter or acquire your work?
Collectors can find my work through Saatchi Art, SOTA Marketplace and Letts Art, or directly through my website, www.annetteaspenart.com where available works can be viewed and purchased.
Collectors who are local to Tunbridge Wells can also arrange a visit to my home studio.
