GILLIAN AYRES

This vintage skirt has been hanging in my closet for some time, and only recently did I note its resemblance to the work of English painter Gillian Ayres.

Ayres (b. 1930) is well known for her large scale nonrepresentational paintings utilizing thick impasto.

Central to Ayres's work is the use of bold, uplifiting color and texture built up with her hands.

Although she figures prominently in the British art scene, Ayres has very little interest in art theory, and instead champions the visual impact of her pieces.

In 1960, Ayres was the only female artist included in the seminal Situation exhibition at the Royal Society of British Artists Galleries in London. Works included in the show were required to be no less than 30 square feet in size and nonrepresentational.

She was honored in 2011 with the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Ayres is represented by the Alan Cristea Gallery in London.

I'm wearing a vintage skirt and necklace, Rebecca Beeson tee, and thrifted espadrilles.

[Ayres images from leninimports.com, taylorgallery.co.uk, millthorpesschoolart.co.uk, and fadwebsite.com, respectively.]