ONE of the area’s top contemporary artists gave visitors to Towneley Hall, in Burnley, an insight into her creative process at a ‘Messy Day’ demonstration at the weekend.

Former St Hilda’s RC High School pupil Olivia Pilling set up in the hall’s art gallery on Sunday, showing people how she develops her unique paintings.

Taking inspiration from her surroundings in Todmorden, many of Olivia’s paintings depict the Northern landscape.

Rolling hills, valleys, mills and towering chimneys come together to form natural abstract shapes and linear lines in Olivia’s work.

The artist, who uses acrylic paints on canvas, said: “At times my work can be a combination of abstract and figuration with its use of colour and form, showing influences from the 20th century Fauvist painters.

“The use of colour goes hand in hand with how I handle the paint.

“It is lively, free and loose. Direct strokes of rich reds and cool blues and acid greens are at times tamed by bold uses of black and dark violet.”

Olivia’s work is regularly available to buy at Todmorden Fine Art, and Revolve Gallery, in Clitheroe.