Natasha Kissell uses striking landscape paintings to trigger memories and associations. On her recent visit to Mussoorie, in India, she painted eye-catching views of tall cedrus deodara trees, majestic snow-capped Himalayan mountain tops, tropical birds and vegetation juxtaposed with modernist architecture from Bangalore. She believes in impossible views – in exploring the unbelievable perspective through changing viewpoints – and illuminates the flexible understanding of time, closely associated with the contemplation of nature. Whilst her colleague Natasha Law (elder sister of Hollywood actor Jude Law) paints striking iconic figures of the human form in intimate awkward poses with faces that are largely left blank and unaware. Her paintings have semi-clothed, fragmented nudes in bold saturated colours and depict a minimalist style, capturing a momentary expression whether it’s intentionally contrived or spontaneously informal.

Despite the differences in their subject matter, Kissell and Law are united in their artistic pursuits, especially at a time when painting is enjoying a global resurgence in the art world. They take a highly imaginative original approach to representational painting, injecting it with unexpected twists and vibrant colours for the contemporary audience.

Excerpts from the interview:
When did you start painting? What inspires you?
Kissell: “I studied art at the Royal Academy and have been painting for more than 10 years now and have had exhibitions in London and New York. I am inspired by natural beauty and was fascinated by the scenery of Mussoorie, in India. It has beautiful commanding mountain ranges and breathtaking views of the valley. I was there for one week and wanted to capture it through my paintings. My grandmother was born in India and I felt a strong connection with the people there. Big abstract oil paintings with vibrant colours influence me.”
Law: “I did a degree in history from Warwick University mainly to please my father but had a bit of a hiatus and was most of the time in my bedroom painting forms and shapes of women, playing with colours and their intensity. I then went to study art at Camberwell College and graduated from there. A few years ago I had my first solo exhibition in London. Photography inspires me, static snapshots that still manage to express a character unambiguously.”

When did you last visit India?
Kissell: “Recently, I was in Delhi and then in Mussoorie for a week. It was beautiful. We went on long drives into the surrounding mountains. I am planning to be in Mumbai in November and hoping to go south and visit Tamil Nadu, after our exhibition.”
Law: “I went to India in ’92 with my boyfriend at that time as he was going to get a job with Reuters in New Delhi, which unfortunately fell through but we went anyhow and travelled all around India for nine months. It was fascinating – all the different colours, the culture and taste and smells of different foods! You get to feel all the things that you cannot do when you read about it in a book. I am excited about our exhibition in Mumbai and am looking forward to being there. For me, with three young children under the age of 10, it’s not easy to get away until they are a bit older and we can trek out and discover new places together.”

Are you involved with any charitable organisations, do you support a cause?
Kissell: “We had a charity brunch organised for people to come along with their children at this gallery for Kiss It Better charity of Great Ormond Street Hospital. It was fun and we managed to raise a decent amount of money for them.”
Law: “It was good to be able to sell prints of my paintings, for those that could not afford to get the paintings as we were trying to raise as much funds as possible for Kiss it Better charity. It is fulfilling to be able to give something back and help others even if it’s in a small way.”

A yet to be fulfilled childhood dream?
Kissell: “I thought about becoming a concert pianist. I love music and the close perfection that musicians manage to achieve through their work. But that was a long time ago. I have been painting for more than 10 years now and feel it’s the main focus of my life. I usually take a month or so over each painting and have to work on them one at a time.”
Law: “I enjoy running every day and I feel it relaxes me, I can switch off and unwind at my own pace. Perhaps I could run the marathon one day! Am passionate about painting but it’s time consuming and I can usually work on a few canvases at the same time and take around three or four months to complete a painting. I feel privileged to be able to give my paintings the time and dedication they require. It would be wonderful to have exhibitions in Brazil and Russia one day.”

Was your fashion label, Loulou and Law, something you planned? You have also illustrated a book?
Law: “The fashion label just happened, with my friend Anne Marie Rosewald, through our mutual admiration for design. We collaborated on a relaxed line of clothing that bridges the gap between summer and winter. It’s a small capsule collection of T-shirts, vests, shirts and knitwear, though I must admit it’s dwindling a bit. The book, How to walk in High Heels: A Girl’s Guide to Everything, is written by my friend Camilla Morton. I just did the illustrations for it.”

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