Joan Mitchell is a constant influence in Mary West’s
paintings.

Mitchell, born in Chicago in 1925 is famous for her tough,
fleshy, gestural painting. Katy Hessel in her book, The Story Of Art Without
Men, describes Mitchell as, ‘ a genius at transforming paint into gusts of
light, energy and movement. Applying her oils with strokes that varied from
feathery and translucent to thick and aggressive, she would squeeze out entire
tubes or vigorously throw paint onto the canvas.’

Mary draws from the colours of nature in the same way as
Mitchell. Painting intuitively and gesturally Mary creates a sense of movement
while building layers. ‘I Fell Asleep Under A Tree’ conjures a late summer
afternoon, branches swaying, distant voices and warm sunlight filtering through
leaves.