Inspiring artists

Welcome to Inspiring artists ,within this section I interview 2 artists whose work and commitment to art, encourage me in my own art practice. The first is Rachel Anderson and the second is Stuart Hicking both artists are based in the UK.

First up is Rachel Anderson an exceptional UK based artist who has successfully exhibited her work, throughout the UK and also in France. Rachel's work is beautiful with a real eye for detail, and I was lucky enough to catch up with this busy lady and find out what inspires her during the creative process in my recent interview with her.

Interview with artist and curator Rachel Anderson

1. Why is creating art important to you?
I’m not sure it feels like a choice, it’s just something I have to do. I’m drawn to bringing ideas to life, and I find a lot of peace and satisfaction in creating and seeing a vision realised.

2. How do you think art benefits society as a whole?

Art gives us new ways of seeing and it's healthy for us to experience perspectives beyond our own. Art can reveal something about society before we have the language to talk about it, and our responses to it can teach us a lot about ourselves. The act of making is equally valuable, it helps us process, communicate and make sense of being human.

3.  What is the best thing about being an artist in your experience?

The freedom of it. You’re fully in control, and despite what the industry might suggest, no one else gets to decide whether the work is good or not. Success is whether the work revealed what you were trying to say.

4. What advice would you give to someone wanting to try art for the first time?

Let go of the pressure to make something "good". Instead, ask what you discovered. Notice what you enjoyed, how the materials felt and what the process taught you about yourself.

5. Favourite quote? 

“Have no fear of perfection—you’ll never reach it.” - Salvador Dalí

I didn't believe this for a long time, but I am (slightly) more accepting of this now.

6. Final question...Favourite food?

Salt and vinegar crisps.

To find out more about Rachel and her work visit art & joy her website which includes latest collections of her work. I have included some of Rachel's work on this web page enjoy ! :)

 

 

Interview with artist Stuart Hicking

It is my pleasure to introduce to you the talented artist and friend Stuart Hicking, who has had great success with having his work shown in several UK galleries and has had sold many artworks both in the UK and abroad. I love Stuart's artwork as he makes the ordinary everyday items look wonderful and the colour really pops off the page. Here is my interview with Stuart :)

1. Why do you create art?

I create art as it enables me to satisfy my curiosity about life and the things around me.

As a child, I would doodle and make things out of scrap, partly due to poverty but mainly because the making would show me how things work. People liked the art I made and that was my reward. I'm still the same now I'm 74 years old!

2. What in your experience are the best things about selling art online and selling art in person? Is there a difference?

Selling in person is fantastic as you get to see people's reactions to my art. It also gives me the opportunity to explain my motives and the processes I employ.

Selling online, however, can be exciting. Posting things off to a stranger in a far-away place. I sold a print to someone in San Franscico once and all I could think about was it on the wall as Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry raced around the streets.

3. How can art make the world a better place?

I'm not sure art can make the world a better place – only people can do that.

4. Who or what inspires you as an artist?

Inspiration, for me, comes from a kind of kinship, a shared passion. Other artists and their art that are new or fresh but, at the same time, familiar. It piques my curiosity and requires me to delve deeper.

5. What is your favourite quote?

This is one of my quotes from days as an art student

"There's them that do and them that don't - them that do art hang it on the wall and them that don't walk round and look at it"

6. What is your favourite food ?

I love cooking and hardly ever have take-aways or ready meals. I was a vegetarian for quite a few years but now I'm an omnivore. For the last two years I've been on a keto diet and lost 20 kilos. I love spicy food, so juggle between Indian, Chinese and Korean.

You can find out more about Stuart's work on his website

Stuart Hicking - a UK artist's lifetime journey of making

Alternatively you can find Stuart on Instagram

Instagram