Being an artist
Please give us a few words of introduction about yourself
Harry Stoll is a creative artist who originally trained as a studio potter making high-fired stoneware and porcelain, before later moving into Modern Figurative Sculpture and Contemporary Painting.
When did you decide to pursue art as a career?
I decided to continue a career in art at the age of 18 years. I taught part-time ceramics at Harrogate College of Art, when I was 22 years old, whilst establishing my own pottery studio.
What training did you have?
I was trained as a studio potter under the potter Jack Crisp, near Selby, Yorkshire.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
To establish my own workshops and exhibition areas in France.
General Questions
What’s your favourite quote?
Ah, make the most of what we yet may spend.
Before, we too into the Dust descend;
Dust into Dust, and under Dust, to lie,
Sans Wine, sans Song, sans Singer,
and—sans End!
Omar Khayyam
Who is your favourite artist?
Too many to name, but Moore, Hepworth, Motherwell, Soulages.
What are you aiming for?
To reflect abstract cosmic environments using spontaneous unconcious actions with paints and other materials, which ultimately are harmonious to our human senses.
How will you get there?
Probably never. It’s always only a development, during one’s own, limited life span.
Is anything holding you back?
No.
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?
Questions mainly?? No, I am never surprised!
From start to finish, how long does it take for you to create your work?
For me, it’s never finished!!
What music do you like to listen to when you work?
Classical, Jazz.
What are you working on next? Any future plans or projects in the pipeline that we should look out for?
The Planet Series, which has not yet been shown to the mass public.
Being inspired by art
Who (living or dead) inspires you? and why?
Emilio Vedova. Just love his style of expression.
What feelings, subjects or concepts inspire you as an artist?
Space and Space Travel, The Universe etc., etc.
What is your favourite work that you’ve produced so far and why?
I have no particular favourite work.
an artist’s advice
For those thinking about turning a passion for art into a career, could you give any advice?
I would say, do it for the love of it, but not for money.
Any tips on how to get your work seen and get the commissions coming in?
In my opinion and from my experience most so-called galleries are only interested in exploiting artists as purely ‘a business’, and the majority have really no taste or any serious education in what ‘Real Art’ is about.
Thanks Harry!
More of Harry’s work can be seen on www.harrystoll.com
