Sessional Awakening is a still-life painted on Liberty of London fabric created by Nicola Wiltshire as part of her unique and iconic painterly practice. 

Fabric is an important element of Nicola Wiltshire's practice which shes uses to reflect it's inclusion in every part of our lives; from the clothes we wear to the patterns that fill our homes. 

Using Liberty London fabrics, because of their rich heritage and quality of design, the artist begins her work by stretching the coloured and patterned material over a wood frame, before priming selected areas for painting; a technique developed by the artist over the past 12 years. Drawing in charcoal, and using her own hand made paints and soft pastels created from centuries-old techniques, Nicola then begins outlining the main subject matter. 

Snapshots of walks, domestic interiors and people sleeping are amongst the themes the artist depicts to explore universal experiences such as journeys, silence, the seasons and archetypes.

As a result, Nicola's images are at once familiar and dreamlike emerging into playful, calming and appealing compositions - a poetic and joyful celebration of art’s history. 

Accolades

Nicola Wiltshire graduated in 2009 with a BA in Fine Art at University Of Westminster, London and an MFA with distinction in Art And Humanities at Duncan Of Jordanstone College Of Art And Design, Dundee. She has had sell out solo and group exhibitions throughout the UK including at the Royal Scottish Academy. Nicola was recently named by The Guardian newspaper as an “artist to watch”.