Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I work mainly in my studio at home painting in semi abstract style such as buildings, still life, objects and places that I’ve been to. I love to add texture, collage and different mixed media to see what happens to the painting.

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I’ve always painted, but after my two children were born, I fell in love again with painting and decided to go to a few adult education classes to improve and learn different styles.

What training did you have?

Adult education classes only with some fabulous teachers including Hazel McIntosh, Laura Reiter and various workshops wtih different artists/teachers.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

I’ve got an exhibition on at the moment with my art group, Cygnus at the Obsidian Gallery in Stoke Mandeville. I’ve been able to exhibit lots of my work there, and so far its a great success!

General Questions

Who is your favourite artist?

Picasso, Kandinsky, Klee, Rosina Wachtmeister and many more…

What are you aiming for?

To be more creative, find new ways to evolve my paintings and to be more globally successful.

How will you get there?

Keep painting and keep evolving in my style of work.

Is anything holding you back?

Just my confidence!

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I hope to make people happy to see my work and to see them enjoy what I’ve tried to achieve on canvas or paper.

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

Depends how stuck I get! Sometimes one week, sometimes months…

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

Jack Johnson, Nora Jones, Eliza Doolittle, classical music, radio… anything depending on how I’m feeling that day.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

I’ve been to the mediterranean last summer and working through some photos of all the wonderful cities visited.

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

Rosina Wachtmeister – I love all her paintings, so much details and happiness in each one
Picasso – He had so much creativity in his head, you can see his work evolve from all of his paintings
Kandinsky – How he could transform his ideas into abstract is amazing
Lots of other fabulous artists (living or dead!)

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

I like to painting using uplifting colours, bright and full of life.
Subject matter is inspiring depending on the shapes and details involved; I adore buildings with unusual styles/rooftops/colours – especially if its on a sunny day when everything you look at is magnified by the light.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

I have several favourites; my russian paintings, my ‘Romantic Interlude’ watercolour, my tissue paper paintings…

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

Be positive and never give up! Make friends with other artists who can paint with you and offer advice to each other; make your own space at home or somewhere else where you can paint regularly – if its your career, you need your ‘office’ space like any other job.

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Get your own website, such as through the Artists Web, make some business cards, leaflets, pop into your local art galleries and show your work and let everyone know you’re an artist!

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I grew up in Lancashire and have spent most of my life in Yorkshire. A Quaker since my 20′s.

When did you decide to pursue painting as a career?

It was always a dream, but became reality only in 2007.

What training did you have?

A degree in Physics and a career in IT. More recently, have been back to college to study art and design.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Being invited to put on a solo exhibition at Brantwood House. Ruskin was a brilliant thinker and is one of my heroes, so it was a great privilege to exhibit there.

General Questions

Who is your favourite artist?

Recently I’ve been influenced by Julian Cooper, who paints rock better than anyone.

What are you aiming for?

To get better at painting. Which probably means learning to see more clearly.

How will you get there?

Practice.

You and painting

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I hope they will be prompted to take a slow look at the natural world. I love it when someone says to me ‘I know that place but now I’ll go and look at it again’. The most surprising comment I’ve had recently was from a lady who said she was going to use my exhibition in her sermon to the Methodists (though she didn’t say how!).

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

I work quite fast once I start. The mixing of Indian ink and oil paint does so much to produce intricate textures, that I don’t like to put too much paint over that first layer. I often have two paintings on the go, and typically would complete them in about five half-day sessions.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

Nothing, usually.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

The project ‘A Return to the Coast’ got me interested in the geology of Britain. So there will be more rocks, but the emphasis is constantly moving on. In each painting I try to do something that I’ve never done before.

Being inspired by painting

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

John Ruskin’s view of the world and our place in it was radical in the nineteenth century and is even more relevant to us today.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as a painter?

Connections, natural processes and patterns. I’ve worked with systems and mathematical models. The emergence of complexity from a few simple rules, the similarities in nature between large and small scales, and the hints of a mysterious underlying unity, are ideas that I keep returning to.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

‘Torrisholme Road’ (2008). It probably isn’t the most technically competent piece I’ve produced, but it was a key point in my artistic development, and involved such a lot of memories and personal feelings.

a painter’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for painting into a career, could you give any advice?

It’s hard to make a living out of art. If you do, there’s often a tension between what you know you can sell and what you’re really interested in. It’s crucial not to lose the latter. I think you have to reserve some time for artistic play as well as artistic work.

See more of Phil’s work at: http://www.philentwistle.co.uk/

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

My name is Katy Galbraith, sometimes i use Recycle Me Mosaics as a ‘business’ title, but not sure if it is worth the time and energy to have a separate name.
I live in Crieff, Perthshire, and also run a B&B and self-catering flat which I do enjoy, but more essentiallly, it pays the bills so that i can create what i want to create.

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I wish i had gone to art college after school, but followed a different path instead – following poorly judged (imo) parental advice.Having dabbled in various medium as a hobby over the years, I discovered mosaic about 8 years ago, and was hooked.

I took the plunge a couple of years ago and started selling and being more pro-active in promoting myself. I have done a lot of soul searching over the last couple of years, and have realised that for me, being deemed ‘an artist’ is very important, and that i want to be represented in quality galleries or ‘craft’ outlets.

What training did you have?

I was taught by a friend, Jan Kilpatrick of Wild Tiles, who used to live in the area. My first project was a table top for the garden – as my husband and i at first couldn’t decide on what table to have, but agreed on mosaic – nothing like being ambitious! When Jan moved away from the area, we started to run mosaic classes using my B&B as the venue… so over the years, i have been able to tap into her expertise.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Being accepted into the juried exhibition of BAMM (British Assoc for Modern Mosaic) which took place at Lichfield Cathedral April 2011. Hopefully, my piece will sit alongside more experience artists.

General Questions

What’s your favourite quote?

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -
I took the one less traveled by,
and that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, last 3 lines

Who is your favourite artist?

Klimt and Tiffany

What are you aiming for?

Striving to perfect my technique, and to continue to be able to make what i want to make, not just what is marketable.

How will you get there?

Playing in my workshop, experimenting with new materials, and hopefully getting to attend some masterclasses with other mosaic artists around the world (i also love travelling so if i can combine the two!)

Is anything holding you back?

Recognising that doing B&B does enable me to unlimited creativity, however, it does restrict my ability to attend workshops elsewhere, as they all seem to happen at the peak of our tourist season.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I hope that they enjoy my work as something lovely to look at – and in some cases, that functionality and beauty can work side by side (ie mirrors, table tops, stepping stones). I often include quirky items in my pieces, which aren’t immediately obvious, but on second glance… so hopefully these bring a smile to faces.

Mosaic tends to be seen as a Roman, square tiles, marble… I hope that those seeing my work realise that there is another way which is more contemporary, and includes many different materials.

And finally, i use primarily recycled materials – from broken car windows with a sweet wrapper collage underneath to re-fused sheets of glass from the wastage of the Caithness Paperweight factory, wine & gin bottle glass to broken ceramics. I feel that this sums up my environmental commitment, and displays that nearly everything can have a second life albeit out of context with the original purpose. Usually it is the last thing given to me that stimulates the next mosaic

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

It can vary!

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

I love music that mixes western style with other world music. I think my favourite is Natasha Atlas – middle eastern meets the Midlands

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

I am working on my Gingerbread House piece which is going into the Opus Mosaic Gallery, Exeter for their Forest exhibition. It is just to be grouted. Then i want to make a piece for the Flotsam, Jetsom, Lagan & Derelict exhibition, for the Banff & MacDuff Coast Exhibition (juried) where the remit is to use only recycled materials.

The BAMM exhibition at Lichfield Cathedral will have not just my main piece, entitled Eden, but also a gothic miniature.

And a gallery in Aberfeldy wants to see some pieces… so i keep trying to add outlets to my list of galleries, but find it very daunting to approach them

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

Barbara Kingsolver – novelist and essayist. She writes about various social issues, and has a strong environmental commitment. Her work has been consistantly good, and inspires a change in our own lives. The message that you get is that you can live a good and fulfilled life, be considerate to your neighbours, have sound social and environmental ethics and still achieve what you want out of life.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

In terms of subjects, I love flowers and gardens, so many of my pieces are floral representations… though occasionally other ideas do pop into my head at times. I do follow a few online mosaic forums, who have regular competitions, and so if i am stuck for an idea, then i will work towards an entry in that. My Geisha Triptych came about because of an online competition. The competitions are also a great way of encouraging you to learn new techniques or work with new materials.

As mentioned above, i am a passionate recycler, and love the use of mixed materials in creating a mosaic, and feel that it is an important part of my work to illustrate the reuse of materials.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

Heaven is to Me – Opus mosaic Gallery ‘Heaven’s Above’ exhibition 2009
My first exhibition piece, which was fun to do, really represented what i was about, was well received at the gallery, and sold!

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

Get a thick skin, and learn to cope with the rejection from galleries / competitions / submissions. It can really hurt your pride and dent your confidence to get the rejection letters, as of course if we didn’t think that our work was great then we wouldn’t be doing it!

So i am learning the art of having a good moan to my husband, then picking myself up again, and writing the next submission…

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

I am still comparitively new to this, and am working on the Facebook, website, social media, media…. but the balance of time spent on the computer and in the workshop is a bit out of sync.

I have found that submitting free pieces (to a point) – i have done a piece for an international mosaic exhibition & auction to raise money for Medicins sans Frontiers, which i was able to use as local pr too.

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I am 51 years of age and have just moved from Cornwall to London.

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

When I was 21.

What training have you had?

I studied at Norwich School of Art.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

The high point was when I got a solo show in Glasgow, my home town.

General Questions

Who is your favourite artist?

Cezanne.

What are you aiming for?

Nothing really, I just enjoy working!

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I hope to arouse any feelings as this would show that they have some interest.

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

I work very quickly. I can make a piece in under an hour, but I usually make lots until I get it right!

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

I love listening to all sorts, but Faithless is my favourite.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

I am in London at the moment and I want to pursue work on the Tube. I am very interested in lots of people being packed together. Just started some sketches recently.

Being inspired by art

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

I am inspired by being alive. I love starting a new drawing and watching it develop. It’s like a child growing before your eyes!

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

It is always the piece I am working on. Work itself is the biggest buzz and what I have done is nice, but it is just nostalgia.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

Yes, just work at least an hour every day. Make that time and push yourself, and soon that hour will grow and expand into your life’s goal!

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Entering local art competitions and national ones. It’s great practice to give yourself deadlines and they are not that expensive to enter.

Thanks Steve!

To see more of Steve’s artwork head on over to www.sculptorgrant.co.uk

Being a crafts maker

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

Through a lifetime of travel I have discovered many crafts and media supports that have awakened my interest and given me the inspiration to develop my own style.

How and when did you start out as a crafts maker?

I started over 10 years ago thanks to a lot of spare time but did nothing on a consistent basis, just whenever I felt like it without pressure.

What training have you had?

All self taught.

What has been your best creative achievement so far?

I have made all sorts of things like collages, hand painted tissue boxes, frames with oriental objects, etc. Now I work on my own style of necklaces and my best achievement is the encouragement and support I have from many people who have bought so many items from me.

General Questions

What’s your favourite quote?

Have a core principle, everything else is tactics.

Who is your favourite artist?

I don’t have a favourite artist, I like all the artists that dare to explore.

What are you aiming for?

Enjoy myself and cherish time for my passions.

How will you get there?

With perseverance and spontaneity.

Is anything holding you back?

Maybe a bit of lack of confidence.

You and making crafts

What sort of reactions do you get to your work? are you ever surprised?

Well, I get very excited when I discover a new stone with unusual patterns, it’s surprising how it can open a wide spectrum of creativity.

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

If I consistently dedicate the hours to create a necklace, it takes me anywhere from 4 to 6 hours between designing, putting things together, making it all work in a flow and being happy with the finished product.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

Mainly Jazz music.

What is next in the pipeline for you? Any new directions or shows coming up?

No other projects at the moment.

a crafts maker’s advice

Have you got any advice for those starting out as a crafts maker?

Follow your instinct.

Thanks Laura!

You can see more of Laura’s designs at www.lauraalexandrou.com

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I live in Sussex and work from home using my attached garage as a studio space. My work is mainly oil on canvas, sometimes with the addition of molochite and clay. My inspiration comes mainly from the stunning coastline and Downlands of Sussex.

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I’ve always been able to draw and paint, but life took me away from art and in other directions. I decided to take formal training after I had two children and they were both in full time school.

What training have you had?

I began as a mature student and studied A level Art, followed by a foundation year then a full time BA Hons in Art and Design.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

I won a contract in 2008 and again in 2009 for 12 images of my work to front on book covers for Bloomsbury Publishing. I also loved the first time a gallery said, “Yes”.

General Questions

What’s your favourite quote?

The abstraction is often the most definite form for the intangible thing in myself that I can clarify in paint. (Georgia O’Keeffe)

Who is your favourite artist?

There are too many to mention them all. I greatly admire Van Gogh, the St Ives Artists, Peter Lanyon in particular, but so many more; Richard Diebenkorn, Ben Nicholson, Roger Hilton, Ivon Hitchens, Rothko, the list goes on and on . . .

What are you aiming for?

I aim to get represented by a few more galleries and sell more work. I also want to continue to develop my ‘artistic voice’, where a Chrissy Guest painting is instantly recognisable.

How will you get there?

I’ll keep painting. With each piece of work I discover new and exciting things. This year, I’ll also spend longer on self promotion.

Is anything holding you back?

Oh, big question. Probably lack of money more than anything. Paint, canvas and promotion is expensive. Exhibiting at good art fairs costs a great deal of money. Time is also a valuable commodity, and it’s difficult to prioritise promotion above painting, catch 22 for the self-representing artist.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I like my work to be admired from a distance and have some element of surprise close up. Reactions are usually favourable and people comment on how they ‘see different things in the work’ every time they look at it.

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

Well, I build my work in layers and quite often work over old or unfinished paintings. I love the sense of history in the work, and the re-use of subtle mark making. The whole process can take months, but when I get to the final layer, it can sometimes be very quick and spontaneous.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

I like to have a newsy local station on that has chat and middle of the road music.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

I want to work on a series of paintings which won’t stray too far from what I’m currently doing. These will possibly be based on my coastal observation over a period of time.

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

Most of the artists mentioned above, mainly because I understand their drive to find something within themselves and put it to canvas. For instance, if you look at the work of Van Gogh, particularly the later work, you can see the frustration and fervour in his brushstrokes and feel his anguish while searching for his elusive goal.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

I’m very drawn to the abstract expressionists, it’s a very special gift to have the ability to go beyond realism and paint from within.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

My most recent painting ‘Seastorm’ (90cm x 30cm), there’s a lot of history to this one. It has many layers, some filled with frustration. I feel I’ve come a long way.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

Never give up. Being part of the creative world has its ups and downs, but it can be really exciting and rewarding in many ways. Don’t ever measure success by how much money you make and never try to paint for the market, only paint for yourself. Work as hard as you can and always remember you have to spend as much time on promotion as you do on painting.

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Art fairs are a really good way to show your work to the public and get yourself known. They are also an important way to network with other artists and gallery owners. Exhibit your work in local art events such as open houses to boost your sales. Have a good website and keep it fresh by changing the images as often as you can. Get your work seen by submitting to art magazines etc., you never know who might see it!

Thanks Chrissy!

You can visit www.chrissyguest.co.uk for more information on Chrissy including details of her upcoming exhibition at Parallax Art Fair in London this July.

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I am an Australian artist and art teacher, and I live with my wife in an 800 year old house in a tiny medieval village in southwest France. I teach art to the locals and to guests who come to France on our art holidays. I have lived in South Africa, Australia and France, and I have had successful exhibitions in all three countries.

What training have you had?

I was trained at the Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Regular successful exhibitions of portraits of the village locals held in the tourist office.

General Questions

What’s your favourite quote?

‘Warts and all.’

When Oliver Cromwell was about to have his portrait painted, he told the artist: “Mr Lely, I desire you would use all your skill to paint your picture truly like me, and not flatter me at all; but remark all these roughness, pimples, warts, and everything as you see me. Otherwise, I will never pay a farthing for it.”

Who is your favourite artist?

Lucien Freud.

What are you aiming for?

To paint portraits of as many of the village people as I can.

How will you get there?

By painting regularly – I have currently painted over 30.

Is anything holding you back?

Painting portraits is one thing, but I’ve also always enjoyed painting nudes. Nude portraits seems to be the answer. It certainly worked for artists like Hockney, Freud and Pearlman. But I’m not in that league anyway and our village is not London, California or New York. It’s not too hard to imagine the local response to an elderly (some would simply say ‘old’) Anglo Saxon male trying to mount an exhibition of nude paintings here in the heart of Gascony, in an isolated medieval village in La France Profonde. Whether I tried to exhibit male, female (or like the coiffures signs that advertise ‘mixed’) nudes of whatever age, there is every possibility that I would find myself shunned, ostracized – or even hounded out of town – by the welcoming, friendly, but very conservative villagers.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I would like them to be surprised. In some cases confronted. Paintings stir emotions that remain submerged when considering other forms of art (novels, cinema, music, etc.)

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

About a day if working full time.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

Beethoven, Beethoven and Beethoven. Sometimes Wagner.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

I want to paint all the village people from the Mayor to the village street sweeper.

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

Van Gogh, because of his amazing output, technique and colour, colour and colour.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

Nudes and faces.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

A painting of a nude on a chair in a large room on a yellow carpet.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

Start early, and when all your peers are being offered good jobs and salaries be prepared to work on a shoe string. Suck up to galleries, the media, potential clients and have regular shows.

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Keep bashing away at the internet.

Thanks Ray

More of Ray’s colourful characters (and other subjects) can be found on www.rayjohnstone.co.uk

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I live and work in Brighton. I have been a full-time art student for four years and am about to complete my Fine Art Foundation Degree (FdA) at Brighton University (City College).

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I have always worked in creative industries, but the opportunity to commit to fine art came in 2007.

What training have you had?

My first classes were in 1995, just after I moved to America for three years. I studied drawing, black and white photography, and critical studies. I went on to get a certificate from San José State University in California in 1999. It wasn’t until 2007 that I finally got the chance to do my Art Foundation Diploma, and from there I went on to Brighton University.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Winning 2nd Prize in the Jerwood Drawing Competition 2010 was really amazing, and being involved in the marathon for its first two years has been brilliant. I designed and made the City College Trophies for the first Brightonian male and female to finish for both years.

General Questions

Who is your favourite artist?

I’m really interested in Mona Hatoum’s work at the moment.

What are you aiming for?

A long career.

How will you get there?

Hard work. I am applying for a Master of Fine Arts and am setting up with my friend as a bespoke trophy maker.

Is anything holding you back?

There are only so many hours in the day, I know my limits.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I just hope to arouse interest, enquiry and reflection. I’m delighted when I succeed!

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

From idea to realisation . . . I’m not sure that I’ll ever complete it, but if I have something which makes sense within two months then the idea usually has potential.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

Silence, FIP or Radio 4, depending on the work.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

On my course I am lucky because we work really well as a group. We have had two successful shows together in the last year and we recently put on a First Thursday show at the Vyner Street Gallery in London. Then there’s our degree show at the beginning of June.

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

I admire David Nash for taking himself and his family off away from it all so he could find his own way to work. I like admiring and appreciating most people I know.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

Connections, continuum, lamentation, optimism.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

I’m really pleased with how my material-specific Call series is coming on.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

The passion is essential – it’ll keep you working and you’ll be able to navigate by it if you get a bit lost.

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Talk to people. Read things, look at things and write things. Submitting for calls for entry and volunteering are great ways to find out about current practice. The Arts Council email list is great and the Artists’ Newsletter is my favorite read.

Thanks Cadi!

More information on Cadi can be found over on www.cadifroehlich.co.uk

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I am a retired art teacher, aged 61. I had to take early retirement some years ago for health reasons and, as I had always kept up my painting, I decided to try it full time, subject to health restrictions. I live in Perthshire, Scotland with my wife, and we have two grown up children, our son works in architecture in Brisbane and our daughter is a nurse in London.

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I was 23 when I decided to go to art college in Dundee.

What training have you had?

I trained as an artist at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee. This is an intensive four year course, resulting in, at that time, a DA or Diploma of Art which was equivalent to an honours degree. I then trained for a year as a secondary school teacher, teaching ages 12-18.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Probably when I first had paintings published by an American print publisher.

General Questions

Who is your favourite artist?

Samuel John Peploe.

What are you aiming for?

To be able to make a reasonable living from selling my paintings.

How will you get there?

Good question! I need to reach the right public with my art and that is why, amongst other things like gallery sales, I intend to blitz the internet with my name and work!

Is anything holding you back?

Sometimes my health slows me down.

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I just want people to appreciate the beauty of this planet we live on, and in the case of my abstracts, the beauty of colour, shape and texture. I believe there is enough misery and ugliness in the world without me adding to it!

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

How long is a piece of string? It depends on many factors – what the subject is, how much detail is necessary to convey what I want to say; recently my seascapes have become looser and freer and that can mean I take a lot less time to finish. I always approach any subject the same basic way though; a very loose underpainting to establish the basic shapes, colours and tones, then a building up of texture and detail. I like to work in layers and find the alkyd paint I use excellent for this as it dries very quickly, but still gives the rich butteriness of oils.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

Fairly wide tastes from classical such as Vivaldi and Mozart to folk. My favourite is classical guitar, jazz guitar and blues, as I play guitar myself.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

I am working on a series of seascapes inspired by a visit to the island of Iona; but also have plans and ideas for more abstract and semi-abstract work.

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

I am inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus. There are also many musicians and artists who inspire me – Monet and the French Impressionists, Peploe, Cadell, the Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys. Julian Bream (classical guitar) and Martin Taylor (jazz guitar).

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

Light is what truly inspires me, because from light comes all colour; and also reflections on water and the movement of water in different conditions such as ripples, waves, waterfalls and rapids. Landscape in all its forms.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

Hard to say; I’m really pleased with some of my most recent seascapes because I feel I am starting to achieve that loose and painterly quality I have been aiming for and the surface texture of the paintings is assuming more importance. I like that.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

Just keep plugging on – follow your dream!

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

Any tips would be very welcome!

Thanks David!

You can view more of David’s sea- and landscapes over at davidiansmith.artweb.com

Being an artist

Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself

I’m a ceramicist making small and large ceramic sculptures for indoor and outdoor environments. My studio is in Normandy, but I exhibit mainly in Britain, so I spend a lot of time crossing the channel.

When did you decide to pursue art as a career?

I had been running a restaurant in Brighton for more than ten years and taking pottery evening classes. When I became worn out with catering, I sold up and went off to university to study 3D Design.

What training do you have?

Initially I did an HND in 3D Design, then I went on to do another 3 years to get my degree in the same subject at Brighton University. I then did a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education.

What has been the high point of your career so far?

Getting into RHS Chelsea Flower Show to exhibit my work this year!

General Questions

Who are your favourite artists?

Ron Mueck, Karl Blossfeldt.

What are you aiming for?

To make a decent living from my work.

How will you get there?

By continuing to make new work that excites people enough to buy it.

Is anything holding you back?

Only the speed at which I can work!

You and art

What feelings or reactions do you hope to arouse in people who view your work? Are you ever surprised by reactions that you get?

I like my work to have an initial wow factor, but then for people to understand what I am trying to represent.

From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?

Can’t possibly say . . . it depends on the weather, how detailed it is, how long it takes to dry out, etc.

What music do you like to listen to when you work?

I don’t . . . it’s Radio 4 all the way.

What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?

All my energies are concentrated on the Chelsea Flower Show at the moment, and I also have an Open House during the Brighton Festival. I am doing a sculpture trail at the Sussex Prairie gardens in the summer and then several shows in the autumn.

Being inspired by art

Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?

Apart from the artists I mentioned earlier, my inspiration tends to come from the garden or from other friends who are ceramicists and artists.

What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?

The beauty of nature, the life cycle of plants, the intricacy and patterns inside flowers, the clever protectiveness of seedpods.

What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?

It’s always the piece I am working on.

an artist’s advice

For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?

It’s a very hard way to make a living . . . you have to be so focused and be able to discuss your work objectively if sales are not going well. If they are, you have to learn how to price properly.

Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?

You have to find the right galleries for your work and with luck the good ones will represent you at the art fairs. You have to build and continually raise your profile by having a good website kept up to date, a blog with a link to a website, and Facebook.

Thanks Frances!

You can see more of Frances’ delightful pieces at www.francesdoherty.co.uk and on show at Brighton Open Houses on weekends throughout May.