Page 20 - Art Reveal no8

20 Art Reveal Magazine

Tell us a little about your background and how is overcoming learnt behaviours with the materials.
that influences you as an artist. It’s very easy to slip in to routines and preferred ways
of working that are taught in schools and other insti-
Growing up, I had two loves: art and music. My early tutions. For example, thinking: it’s paint, therefore
years as an artist were heavily influenced by rock and I must use a paintbrush; you must apply it evenly to
metal; I admired the artwork on the album covers and a smooth surface. Why not challenge it’s uses and
the gothic imagery that influenced them. Whilst my think less of the outcomes? To fund myself as an artist
artwork today has less of the literal and illustrative (another challenge!), I have another job – working as
references to that genre, it definitely maintains the ex- a Playworker for Cardiff Council. During arts and
pressive and often dark undertones. In later years, crafts sessions, the children are free to experiment
at art college, I was introduced to the surrealist and and play with art materials. With no previous knowl-
abstract expressionist work of Dorothea Tanning and edge to guide them, it always pleases me to see the
Mark Rothko, which influenced my use of colour and unusual and creative ways they choose to use the art
tone. I am now very interested in the work of contem- materials. I try to remember this in my own work and
porary street artists, such as Banksy, Vhils and Roa. I use unusual, experimental methods of applying paint.
love drawing and the human form, so this is a strong I mix printmaking techniques and apply these to can-
feature to my work, along with themes of identity, cul- vas. I use traditional oil paints, then strip them away
ture, tradition and nostalgia. with thinners and rags. I then apply more contempo-
rary materials – using acrylics and spray paints. I
also experiment with textures and varnishes, letting
What is the most challenging part about being an my own inner child come out to ‘play’.
artist?

For me, the most challenging part about being an art- What are your future plans as an artist?
ist is self-promotion: having the courage to show my
work and allow it to be viewed and critiqued. Creat- My future plans as an artist are to continue recording
ing is a very personal process and is an expression of and commenting on the world as I see it. I would like
who I am, to allow others to view the results is almost to travel more and gain inspiration from the places
like allowing them a glimpse of my soul. It’s a very and people I visit. I would also like to collaborate
humbling experience. with other artists and return to my musical routes –
perhaps illustrate some album covers and inspire a
new generation of art/music lovers.
How would you describe the art scene in your
area?
What’s the best piece of art advice you’ve been
The art scene in my area (I am currently residing in given?
Cardiff, Wales), seems to be suffering due to the cur-
rent economic climate. Many good arts venues have The best piece of advice I’ve been given was from a
closed in recent years and there are fewer opportuni- tutor on an Art Therapy Course I completed in Lon-
ties to exhibit. However, there is still a creative vibe don: ‘be true to yourself, create from your heart and
about the city and an artistic community centred in don’t worry about the final outcome.’ This resonated
places such as Chapter Arts and The Gate. There with me, as I do believe that my art is about expres-
are regular arts and crafts events, such as ‘Made In sion and the act of creation, rather than the finished
Roath’, that give new and established artists the op- product. I think this can be seen in my work, some of
portunity to showcase their work. which looks unfinished, or paused mid flow to reveal
the creative process in action.

What is the most challenging part about working
nowadays with traditional media - like painting or
printmaking?

The most challenging part about working nowadays
with traditional media like painting and printmaking,