VACMA Case Study 2023-2024: Trisha Berry

During this project, I explored making my own pigments for oil, acrylic, and watercolour painting, even experimenting with homemade charcoal beyond my initial plans. I also prepared primers for hardboard, canvas and linen painting surfaces. My goal was to capture the essence of Orkney in my landscape work.

The funding helped me acquire essential tools like glass mullers, marble slabs, beakers, and mediums, allowing me to refine my process and deepen my artistic practice. The project has transformed how I approach painting, encouraging me to work with a limited palette and locally sourced pigments. It’s deepened my connection to materials, and its allowed me to continue experimenting with new pigments to refine my process.

The funding was instrumental in the success of my project, providing both the resources and motivation to push my creative boundaries. It allowed me to experiment with making my own pigments, refine my techniques, and explore new artistic directions. I’m incredibly grateful for this support – it has made a lasting impact on my practice.