Where Are You From?
England
Where do you long to live (reality or fantasy)?
Deep in the English countryside
What started you on your journey into art professionally?
I’ve always been an artist or creator of sorts, whether in the theatre (I used to work in design and scene painting), then, alongside bringing up my children when they were small, I illustrated children’s books for many years. My fine art works began, gradually moving towards narrative realism, when I came to a bit of a crossroads, after having my youngest, 4th child, and after having some maternity leave, illustrating wasn’t going so well for me anymore. My eldest then asked me if I could do anything in the world for a ‘job’ what would it be. My answer was to be a painter. And so that’s what I became!
How has your art changed and evolved over the years?
Well, on first starting out, my first pieces were abstract, based on microbiology (with a touch of Aubrey Beardsley!). So yes, my art has most definitely evolved, and hopefully continues to! It would become stagnant if not, perhaps. I’m always trying to challenge myself, through either skill (my current delve into reflection and double portraits, has been the most difficult yet!) or meaning, to explore my and the general societal psyche through my artwork. I am still continually learning more concerning ancient artistic techniques, such as gilding, and the creation of gesso panels, which after many years, I still only class myself as a student, but love the unique way that they can transform an artwork.
If your artwork could come to life and interact with you, what kind of conversation would you have with it?
I would ask them what they were thinking about, as many of the figures in my work do look a little deep in thought!
In what ways do you think your personal experiences and emotions shape the way you connect with your work?
There are a lot of threads/strings/ties in many of my artworks. I’ve always explained them as connective. Looking back, perhaps it is a little more personal and concerning my own ties, the push and pull of art verses domesticity! The difficulties of being a female artist and mother of four. Of course I wouldn’t have it any other way, but it certainly does have its challenges!
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Have you ever imagined your art as a time capsule—what do you think future generations would think of it?
Gosh no I haven’t! What a wonderful concept though! What would they think of it? Mm, I just hope that in this future world there are still beautiful creatures alongside us that the future generations would recognise in the work! As far as the exploration into the human connection with nature and ourselves is -as perceived in the artwork – I would expect, something that will always be recognised and understood. So hopefully the future ‘us’ would be able to connect with my work still, and I would hope they would appreciate it!
What advice would you give an artist starting out (young, middle-aged, old – any age) who wants to do it professionally?
If you are to paint, or indeed create any type of art, you must do so from the heart. It will be hard financially, but the rewards in creating and connecting are unsurpassed.
