Celebrating nature with a burst of colours

It was her love for the country that made her take the time to appreciate its nature. And it was her love for nature that made her have the creation ‘In Love with Nature’, an exhibition at The Purdy Arms, a restaurant in Karen this Monday.

Shailla Matlock hails from the Karimbux family, the first pioneers of the Asian community in Kenya.

Born and bred here, she was very observant. As a child, Shailla was so much intrigued by nature that she would sit for hours and take in her surroundings, going into deep details of their shapes, colour, light and shadow. This would play a major influence in her art. Her husband and family, love, colour and beauty too would.
Shailla mostly uses acrylics and brush and occasionally uses mixed media and water colour to paint.

She has vivid colours, tones, shape and creativity as the focal points in creating her works. Take, for instance, Morning Glory, a piece of work showing different shades of blue.

“Here, I wanted to spread the message of harmony, tranquility and life. I intend to create the mood of happiness, cheerfulness, love, peace and harmony in my art,” she divulges.

Other works that explore the concept of nature are Lone Jacaranda and Midnight Lilly and so on. Most of the works are in large sizes. The self-taught artist says her paintings have varied sizes that can also accommodate small living spaces and kitchens.
“My style is a mixture of painterly, realism, expressionism and abstract. These styles allow me freedom of expression, and to explore the different possibilities. I derive a lot enjoyment, satisfaction and peace, as I gain immense therapeutic value from painting,” she says.

“I love colours in my art and it allows me to express emotions and the energy of the subject. Many times the colours symbolise both.”
Shailla looks up to a number of artists including celebrated Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh and Kenyan Jeff Wambugu and Ugandan Paulo Akiiki.

The artist is an author of The House that Stood Still and a kindergarten teacher.

Painting has always intrigued her and she makes most of her time in it.

“It is a very competitive market, with so many brilliant artists around the world, and still has great potential; despite the ‘Technological Revolution’ that shifted the industry to a different level. Only a small percentage of artists become world famous, the many famous ones did so after their time was up.

However, even with the economy, there remain some serious collectors out there. As a full time and serious artist, your success depends on getting your work out in front of the art buying public,” she says.