Questions and Answers

Hello , a bit of a different blog today, I was asked by a young A level student, to answer some questions for her course work, they really made me think , about who I am as an artist and why I do what I do, I didn't go into great depth, but I did think you might be interested too.

 

I have had a wonderful week, so many birthday wishes, and gifts, some lovely flowers from my mum

 

So sitting in my studio this morning I took some time to answer her questions .

 

 

What inspires your work?

 Devon, wherever I am inspires me, I think as artists we learn to look , and so if I am home, then Mid Devon inspires me, the birds, the wildlife , the high hedges etc etc. I also am inspired by the medium, I love watercolour, and I like to see how far I can push it

 

Are there any other artists which inspire your work?

I love to see other artists work, I love a watercolourist called David Parfitt RI https://davidaparfittri.co.uk/

 

Also Kurt Jackson

https://www.jacksonfoundationgallery.com/

 

Martin Aveling, for his love of the natural world

 

https://avelingartworks.com/

 

and Turner, of course who doesn’t love Turner

 

What do you want viewers of your work to feel/experience looking at your work? Is there any particular message/meaning/emotion behind your work (noting that this may vary from piece to piece)?

 

I do want viewers to take different things from different pieces. Sometimes humour, sometimes a feeling of a particular place, sometimes just the beauty of a creature or flower. I want them to enjoy the painting for the skill involved, and I like to leave parts looser to leave parts to the viewers imagination

 

 

What scale do you usually work in/prefer to work in?

 

I generally work on a small scale, A4 or A3. I like to work quickly and can get easily bored. I like the size it works well with watercolour

 

What is your primary medium that you work in? why do you choose to work in this medium?

 

Watercolour, watercolour watercolour, I love watercolour, I love that it is tricky, that it takes a lifetime to master ( if then) that it is portable, accessible, moveable, spontaneous. I feel watercolour is a bit of an underdog in the arty world, and I think it is magical, get it right and it sings, get it wrong and it’s awful !

Watercolour all the way for me

 

 

Can you give a rough description of the process you go through when creating a piece of work?

 

I tend to be inspired by something, or have a commission to start, so I sketch out my piece either using photos or being there, then I work from light to dark. If painting an animal I always start with the eye. I like detailed work and loose work to provide tension in a piece. I write a blog each week

 

 

 

 

where I try to explain my process

 

How did you develop your style of work?

I am self taught, but I do go to see a lot of exhibitions and visit a lot of galleries, I love to see how others do things and adapt my style. I like to see what I can do

 

How would you describe your style of work, what characterises it as your work?

 

I want it to be described  as well done, with a looseness of touch , and a confidence. I think I am especially known for the way I paint bees

 

 

That's a bit about why I do what I do