This gallery follows the development of my painting and drawing, from school through college and university. People and portraiture have been a common theme in my work, as I have always found people to be fascinating subjects, and enjoyed the challenge of capturing life through mark making.
Ba Hons Creative Expressive Therapies 2014- 2017
‘Statement as Image’ – this project was the culmination of my 3 year Creative Expressive Therapies Degree. 
Oil on acrylic sheets. 594 x 841mm. 
Oil on acrylic sheets. 594 x 841mm. 
Oil on acrylic sheets. 594 x 841mm. 
This work explored my own lived experience of time, growth and memory, and existential anxiety. 
I developed a technique of using oil paints on several layers of clear acrylic sheets, enabling me to built up layers of colour and mark-making, whilst creating a real physical depth to the work. 
Oil on acrylic sheets. 594 x 841 mm. 2017. 
Experimental piece leading up to ‘Statement as Image’ body of work. 2017. 
Experimental piece leading up to ‘Statement as Image’ body of work. 2017. 
Experimental piece leading up to ‘Statement as Image’ body of work. 2017. Oil pastel and acrylic on canvas board. 
‘Concepts of self’, 2016. 30 x 40 cm (approx.) 
‘Concepts of self’, 2016. 30 x 40 cm (approx.) 
‘Transitional Object’ 2015. 
‘Still Life Self Portrait’ 2015 
Oil pastel print, 2015. Looking at childhood memories and the importance of objects.
During my second year of University, I began to experiment with the idea of a moving portrait, and how I could use a collection of still images together as an animation, to represent time and movement. I realised as I worked, that for me this became less about time as a linear concept, and more about loops of time/my own perception of time, through my own lived experience of memory and consciousness. This work represents a seeking to understand who and what I am. This was the subject of my final year exhibition ‘Statement as Image’, and is still a prominent source of inspiration for the work that I create.
pencil animations from Lydia Atkinson on Vimeo.
Experience of Illness – Who will I be when I die? from Lydia Atkinson on Vimeo.
‘Experience of Illness’ was one of my university modules which most inspired me, and lead me to create this piece of video work, which was one of the pieces of work I am most proud of from my degree. This module was about listening to health and wellbeing stories from individuals, and then using our art-form to create a piece which re-told the story in a visual way. Working in a group, we decided to use the story of Christine Bryden, a woman who was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer in her 40’s. I am really proud of the outcome, as I feel it tells her story in a powerful and relatable way, and I had a major input in the vision and creation of the piece.
A level, Foundation Diploma and Certificate of Higher Education in Fine Art (2011 – 2014)
Experimental oil painting – during my year at Nottingham Trent I began to experiment with oils for the first time. I enjoyed the flexibility that they allowed me, and their richness. I have slowly moved away from acrylic paint and into oil painting as my preferred medium now, but I am also curious about using a combination of paint and pastel mediums in conjunction. 
Drawings in my studio space at Nottingham Trent. 
A drawing I made during my time at Nottingham Trent University. 
A pencil drawing of Kim Peek, made during my studies at NTU. 
‘I don’t solve problems, I just televise them”, Oil on Canvas 2014 
‘I’ve been seein’ someone else’ 2014. Oil on canvas. This piece is part of a body of work I made whilst studying Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University, inspired by ‘pseudo-therapy’ talk shows, such as Jerry Springer. 
‘Faded Glories’ 2013 
‘Metamorphosis’ 2013 
‘Metamorphosis’ 2013 
‘Metamorphosis’ 2013 
‘Metamorphosis’ 2013
Lydia Atkinson Art 