Kirsty Wain: Reimagining Nature through Color, Rhythm and Serenity

Drawing inspiration from the vibrant color of Fauvism, the expressive brushwork of Post-Impressionism, and the rhythmic patterning of Neo-Impressionism, she reimagines the natural world with her own contemporary sensibility. In her work, ancient olive trees twist and sway with rhythmic energy, their trunks alive with color and movement. Vivid magentas, golden yellows, and cool blues break from literal representation, drawing the viewer into a heightened emotional space. Each brushstroke is both playful and deliberate, echoing the texture of bark and the warmth of Mediterranean light. Her paintings invite the viewer not just to see nature, but to feel its vitality and enduring presence.

ArtDependence (AD): How does your work reflect your view of the world right now?

Kirsty Wain (KW): In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, my art is both an escape and a deliberate counterpoint to negativity. I resonate with Henri Matisse, who dreamed of an "art of balance, of purity and serenity... a soothing, calming influence on the mind." My work strives to do the same, offering a sense of peace by celebrating the inherent beauty of the natural world. I take the essence of a place, then transform it into a dreamlike view, infusing my work, both intentionally and subconsciously, with a positive spirit. 

AD: What message or feeling do you hope viewers take away from your art?

KW: I hope viewers feel something uplifting and moving when they see my work. I use color and pattern to create a rhythm on the canvas, hoping the visuals resonate with people in the same way a piece of music does. I'm constantly inspired by how beautiful and interesting the world is, and I try to capture that in my work. I really hope that when people see my art, they feel a connection to that beauty, it's something that feels good for the soul.

Kirsty Wain, The Old Olive, 2025

AD: Can you tell us the story behind the artwork you chose to share?

KW: I've been fascinated by olive trees, painted around 30 of them this year. The more I paint them the more their forms and colors evolve, taking on an exaggerated, almost Fauvist quality. This piece, 'The Old Olive' is a personal favorite because of its expansive branches that reach up and off the top of the canvas. 

I find the sprawling, twisted shapes of these ancient trees captivating. While the olive tree holds deep symbolic meaning, representing resilience, longevity, and peace, these themes are not lost in my work. They are a meaningful part of what draws me to this subject.