Carolyn Birchall 
I create images that express vulnerability in fine veils of acrylic paint on heavyweight watercolour paper with hand torn edges and float mounted, which adds a feeling of fragility. The death of bees is made important. Their images, and those of wild life, inspire a dialogue about the fragility of life within the natural world and at the same time create connections to the vulnerabilities we all feel for whatever reason. The cows seem to represent a fragile hope while they are alive. I painted them as they are; vulnerable to our human desires, as are other domesticated creatures. They represent the innocent.
In oil paints I explore how vulnerability can manifest itself in many ways for the human by focussing on those moments of poignancy. It is an internal battle besetting each one of us in some way.
My work essentially expresses myself at its heart, drawing parallels between connections to nature and to personal life. Much of what I do creatively is an expression of this.
 As artists it is our job to hold up the mirror to humankind and really see and understand. We are the masters of deception and without art would never be confronted with the truth. .
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Happiness and the feeling of wellbeing have to go hand in hand with melancholy. One cannot exist without the other. While art that pleases has its place so does art which speaks about the sadder side of life.