MICHAEL SOLE
MICHAEL SOLE – Michael Sole is a skilled landscape artist from Dorset, renowned for his ability to capture the essence of nature in his work.
His art reflects a deep connection to the breath-taking landscapes he encounters, drawing inspiration from places such as southern England, the French Alps, Southern France, and Argentina.
By spending extended periods immersed in these diverse environments, Michael transforms his experiences into vibrant, serene pieces that evoke a sense of peace and fulfilment.
His paintings not only highlight the beauty of nature but also convey the joy and energy he feels during his creative process. Deeply influenced by nature and its artistic traditions, Michael spends weeks outdoors, exploring his surroundings with just a fishing rod and tent, walking miles to absorb the landscape’s spirit. He embraces the dynamic forces of nature, particularly in extreme conditions like storms, using unconventional methods such as dripping, pouring, throwing, and shaking paint, foregoing the use of a brush. These techniques allow him to capture the raw power and atmosphere of the natural world through bold, physical paint application.
Nature serves as the foundation for Michael Sole's experimental approach, which he calls Involuntarylism, focusing on specific elements that inspire both material and process experimentation.
This method not only results in original and fulfilling artworks but also serves as a reflection of his identity. Involuntarylism relies on the interaction between materials and gravity to create organic patterns and atmospheres, allowing the painting to develop independently.
Executed on the floor, the technique involves Michael "puppeteering" the paint using gravity and his understanding of materials, with the image itself taking on a less central role. By minimising the focus on imagery, he explores the intriguing qualities of the materials more deeply and more effectively replicate natural processes. Recently, he has incorporated gold and silver leaf to add further dimension to his work.
