I think the success of my journey as an artist has been due to a mix of luck, circumstance, hard work and drive to learn and be better, and the confidence to always push forwards, gained through the encouragement of significant people in my life.
1. Tell us about your background and journey.
My Grandad, James Horne, was a painter, amongst other things. I have very early memories of the smell of turpentine and paint in his studio at the back of their home. He was an inspiration to me. My parents have always been very encouraging and supported me through my university degree in Art and Art history at Aberystwyth in Wales.
2. When and how did you decide to pursue art?
I think the success of my journey as an artist has been due to a mix of luck, circumstance, hard work and drive to learn and be better, and the confidence to always push forwards, gained through the encouragement of significant people in my life. I can't settle where I am, the more I learn, the more questions I have! I have always loved to draw and paint, and I began painting professionally over 20 years ago, a couple of years after graduation.
3. What kind of themes and aesthetics do you work with?
My artistic focus has changed over the years. I work mostly in oils and paint any subject that had an interesting visual story. I love the illusion of light in paint. Development-wise, I am always trying to simplify my painterly language - to say more with less brushwork. I look for a balance of contrasts in my work, and strong composition.
4. Which mediums do you usually work with and why?
I work mostly in oils and paint.
5. How do you overcome creative block?
I have not suffered creative block since I began to paint Plein air. I don't do this all the time, but I think it changed the way I thought about the 'muse'. I am fascinated by pattern, light, color, shape. There is not enough time in the world to paint everything I want to paint. I also paint almost daily, no matter how I feel. It is a habit and an obsession.
5. Who is your favorite artists and why?
My favorite artists have changed as my own focus has developed. I love the work of Edward Hopper, Laura Knight, and Van Gogh, for their painterly language. I love the rich story within Joan Eardley's work. Contemporary artist Rob Pointon's way of seeing is absolutely inspirational.
6. What message would you give to aspiring artists?
Well, I still think I'm an aspiring artist! Learn what you love! What do you want to create and why? Having a reason is essential, I think, to the joy and success of it. Invest in your skills. Become better and never stop trying to do this.
It's great to get a good gallery on your side, and it's extremely useful to be present on social media, with your own website. Social media has provided me with so much - friendships with other artists, connection to the art world, exposure, encouragement, feedback, and sales!
Enter open art competitions, don't be afraid to not get in. It's normal not to get in! But when you do it's great and the exposure you get is invaluable. Don't be hurt by rejection. It's par for the course and never a personal slight. Try to learn why and then react accordingly.
Sometimes it's just that there is similar work already in the gallery. I've been rejected for many reasons - early on, I didn't get into a gallery because my work was under-developed and not that well framed. I took that on board and pushed myself to finish and present my work better. However, I'm still rejected from shows sometimes. Don't give up!
Find your contemporaries, don't be too isolated. Other artists at a similar stage are also a good way of measuring the quality of your work.
7. Which is your favorite book and why?
I always loved everything by Tolkien from a very young age. This was reflected in the illustrative, fantastical nature of my work, up to degree level. I love quality escapism!
Interviewed By - Anshika Maurya
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