Bea Gibson

Category: Painting

“Chelsea Girl” was inspired by my time spent in New York at the Chelsea Hotel, somewhere steeped in a rich history of music, art and literature. So many musical greats passed through the Chelsea, from Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix to, more recently, Rufus Wainwright and the Libertines. I wanted to explore the mystique of the place, what Patti Smith terms “the unique light” of the Chelsea.

Applying layer upon layer of paint, working with palette knives and brushes creates depth and texture, bringing the street to life. The glow of the hotel sign, cinematic composition and mysterious figure returning to the Chelsea was influenced by Edward Hopper. The colours, predominantly rich reds, purples and blues create a sense of foreboding mixed with excitement as to where the night, and the girl in the red coat, may take you.