Journeys exhibition at Lauderdale House inspired by Cuba and the US

Former banker Emma Loizides’ solo show is titled Journeys but could just as well be called ‘Home and Away’.

The Muswell Hill artist is showing 50 works at Lauderdale House inspired by her trips to Cuba and the USA.

But north London visitors will also recognise many London landmarks including Crouch End Broadway and the view from Primrose Hill.

“I have been working on this collection for several years and I have travelled all over London to capture different street scenes and views of the skyline,” says Loizidis.

“This is an exhibition of a variety of places and holiday memories - bright and colourful reflections of summer holidays. The paintings catalogue my journey as an artist so far, from more abstract work – to the recent studies of London”.

The oils, prints and mixed media works, include subjects from ice cream vans to rubber rings.

Loizides, who studied art at college, before taking Spanish at University, started out in banking where she was struck by the skyline and architecture around Canary Wharf. Largely self taught, she started painting in her spare time, often depicting buildings saturated with bright colours. An internship in Las Vegas inspired a love of Americana and city culture.

She says: “My work is usually taken from places I have been drawn to; I have felt a connection with the place and wanted to paint the atmosphere”.

Now painting and exhibiting for several years in both group and solo shows, she cites her inspirations as “travels, the sky, sunsets, music, architecture and colour” as well as artists such as Delaunay and Kandinsky – especially his theories of the effect of art on the emotions.

She starts by taking photographs of the location then paints from drawings and photographs, often experimenting with new surfaces and techniques, from blobs of colour to mists of luminous spray paint.

“Painting is exciting and enjoyable, especially in the early stages when I have all the ideas and the fresh blank canvas. I try to create something every day, whether it’s sketching, photography, and gathering ideas. I love that the process enables me to switch my mind off and I can immerse myself into the painting..hence why I always paint creamy blue skies and peaceful streets sprinkled with colour.”

Journeys runs at Lauderdale House, Highgate until July 3.