Lesley Anne Derks

Lesley Anne became fascinated with nightscapes thanks to the halos of colour that eminated from the petrochemical plant in the darkness. She explains: "I was amazed that something so ugly during the day could become so beautiful at night. Its strange orange night glow is like an alien world, or a city such as New York."

To capture her scenes, the artist uses her camera as a sketchbook for her ideas. She then takes elements from each photograph to create a composition. Working with enamels and oils, she experiments with different textures and effects. She starts with a bright base coat of red, yellow and white to give her artworks a glow. The painting is then built up in a series of layers, which she often peels back to give it depth. 

Lesley Anne says: "I love the hustle and bustle of city streets at night. My father worked at the BP plant for 30 years and would take my friends and I on tours to see the lights at night. I aim to evoke feelings within the viewer, allowing them to step into these scenes."