The process of making a painting begins for me with creating a still-life or tableau, using fabric as a starting point. Then I use photography or video to capture the image, and then manipulate it in Photoshop, finally arriving at an image that will form the basis of a painting. Making the actual paintings has always been a very slow process, as each painting is very detailed and involves several layers.

I tend to work in series, with ‘working titles’ in mind, which I later use to identify each group of works. But this represents a vague association of ideas, and not an accurate description of subject matter.

My recent experience as an AA2A artist at Hereford College of Arts was both fruitful and instructive. I started with the idea of arresting my normal painting process at the photographic stage and investigating the possibilities of creating digital images instead of paintings. I expected to discover a satisfying way of making images that would be quicker to produce and would take the place of painted work. This has in fact happened, but not to the exclusion of making paintings, so while I am still continuing to work with digital images, I am as keen as ever to indulge in the riches of working directly with colour and oils.

Marianne Ryan, 2007