Mari French RI is an abstract mixed-media artist inspired by the liminal landscapes of coast, salt marsh and moorland. Her work reflects her experience through the layering and eroding of media and the use of energetic markmaking, creating a rich surface history with an emphasis on space and light. The use of a limited palette lends harmony and coherence and French’s design background emerges in her work through effective colour combinations, strong composition and occasional use of typography. Sketching on location fixes impressions of a place in her mind, but rather than referring to sketches/photographs back at the studio, those impressions are allowed to emerge intuitively in the work, taking advantage of accidental effects and imagery as they arise.
French was born and grew up in Manchester and now lives near the North Norfolk coastline, working as a full-time artist from her studio on a former 1930s RAF airbase. ‘Moorland patterns’ and ‘Moorland textures’ were inspired by time spent sketching around Rosedale in the North York Moors; suggesting the fading heather, exposed rocks, bronze grasses and patches of heather burn.
