Lydia Tsiouva captures simple moments of beauty in everyday life
I started painting under the alias of Tentin Quarantinehoe as a result of free time during the first national UK lockdown, when the days grew longer and I could spend countless hours in the warming spring sunshine creating artwork.
My work consists of stylised landscapes, people, still life and references to other arts; whether music or the silver screen. Whilst they don’t follow a strict theme, vivid colour plays a strong role in enhancing the simple details that feature within them. I enjoy drawing attention to both minimal and intricate perspectives where we often overlook aesthetic beauty when it’s present. For instance, the calming serenity of eating a bento box over a koi pond.
In the beginning I learned to paint on heavyweight, grooved paper. Eventually, I realised that painting on canvas isn’t as intimidating as it seems and was surprised by my own ability when it came to completing my first commission. I’ve even developed a canvas series called Gloss, which includes either a single or double varnish overlay feature.
I paint with acrylic and occasionally use gel pens for outlines, depending on the style of the painting and the surface I’m using. I undoubtably do my best work at night with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, listening to old episodes of the X FM Ricky Gervais show or The Receipts Podcast.
