What degree or MA did you do, where and when did you complete? Tell us a bit about your story so far… Illustration BA Hons at The University of Plymouth. Graduated in 2020.
Tell us about your art practice
I am a painter, printmaker and walker based in Plymouth. My practice is rooted in landscape, and each body of my work begins as an exploration of place. My sketchbooks are full of drawings made directly as I move through the moorlands and along the coastline that I am fortunate to find on my doorstep, pausing to appreciate new perspectives, forage in the undergrowth and watch the birds take flight then plummet back to land. From these studies bodies of work develop, in which my experience of each place is distilled and abstracted. To create a sense of the expansive feel of the wild environments that inspire my works across mediums, working into my paintings with pencil and pastels , and balancing an extraction of some of the bolder colours present in the details of the landscape, with a sense of form and texture that evidence my deep connection to the places I depict.
Tell us about the studio where you work
I’m currently based at Ocean Studios in Royal William Yard, Plymouth.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on a series of Cornish coastline inspired paintings for serval south west commercial galleries. I am also learning how to stretch my own canvases to create my own formats and taking the exciting step into working on a larger scale.
What help have you had through Cultivator so far?
Having the amazing support from all of the team at Cultivator has been incredible and such an integral part of the development and guidance in the early stages of my career as a freelance painter. From the cheerleader that is my Creative Business Advisor Olivia Berwick in my one to one sessions, to the insightful and wonderful talks and away days with incredible people working in all aspects of the arts, this has been so valuable in developing my understanding of creating a strong foundation for my future professional endeavours. The studio grant has been such a huge help for me over the past 7 months also: I have had a lot of outgoing costs to help get my work out there into various spaces and be presented to a high standard which doesn’t come cheaply, so having that extra financial support with my working space has been so important to me taking the next steps. As an artist you can feel quite isolated in your studio, and so I am massively grateful to have met and to have regular meetings and group workshops with an incredible group of artists from around Cornwall, discussing different ideas, projects and processes. This time has been extremely valuable as it has created a solid tribe of creative peers who can continue to support each other.
What drives you?
I have always had a massive pull to nature whether it is by walking, rowing or painting; so having a space to create a more in-depth visual and emotional connection to a landscape has become increasingly more important to me and why I have to paint to express myself fully through my practice.
What is next?
I have two upcoming spring and summer collaborative shows: one with The Byre Gallery and the other with Livingstone Gallery, where I will be showing a series of Cornwall coastline inspired paintings. I also have plans to walk the south west coastal path in serval larger sections to create a deeper understanding and connection to the landscape. Going forward form this I am currently planning an artist residency for myself in the north of Italy in the mountains, where I want to take inspiration from a contrasting landscape, to allow the space for my practice to evolve in a different way and to see how my work translates in a new and exciting landscape.
