David, one of our students, talks about his experiences of Inkwell and his creative journey since joining the project. Art and creativity has had a huge positive impact on his wellbeing and he shares his story in this interview.
This animation was produced by the InkwellArtsMedia team and uses original artwork created by David especially for this interview.
We have another installment in our very popular Meet the Artist series where we chat to some of our very talented artists here at Inkwell.
There is a plethora of skills here and such an exciting and wide variety of artwork is created using all sorts of materials.
This month we talk to Natalia whose work is both innovative and contemporary.
Q. How long have you been drawing, painting or being creative?
Being a quiet child I used to sit under the dinning table of my grandparents’ house sewing from bits of materials, drawing or reading fairy tales. However I have turned towards art more seriously after an uncompleted degree in Art History for about five years.
Studying Art History for three years supports me with theoretical background and I can understand my own work better. I completed an Access to HE Art & Design Course at the Leeds College of Art focusing on jewellery and design. My final piece was a set of three necklaces published in the 2010-2011 catalogue of the college.
Q. What are your favourite materials and what is your preferred art form?
I started my creative journey with heavy and over decorated chainmaille jewellery but during my college year I turned towards fibre and fell in love with felting as wool has endless possibilities for creating. Recently I discovered free crocheting and I’m hooked on it. I would refer to myself as a sculptor working with cosy, soft and warm fibres. I also like drawing and painting just for fun.
Autumn Berries necklace, 2008 (copper, glass)
Growing Plant no 3
Q. Who or what inspires you?
Organic, ongoing forms in nature are the main inspiration such as lichen, coral reef, colourful sea creatures. Influential artists are Antonio Gaudí, Ernst Haeckel and Natalya Pinchuk.
I also like the odd and unusual. Probably that’s why I’m collecting and using found objects. Surrealism, Neosurrealism made an effect on me as I let the subconscious mind to do its own job when I’m creating. Christian Iconography, Symbols, the work of Hieronymus Bosch, Victorian mourning jewellery and ‘memento mori’ also have an effect on my work.
Felted Creature no 3
Q. Describe your style and method of working.
My style is quite whimsical and flamboyant. I like over decorating, getting lost in details but I also like simplicity but grandiosity. Enlarged organic, ongoing forms describe my work. Choosing different types of wool and combining them gives an interesting textural surface for the pieces. I also keen to play with colour combinations, being not afraid of using different colours. In my artistic world there’s no such a thing as too much colours.
Felted Creature no 4 in progress
Q. How does being creative help your well being?
Creativity is a kind of safe and peaceful little island on the stormy and dangerous sea. I still need to work a lot on my confidence as an artist but I’m learning how to build it step-by-step.
Ulrich - Yarn Sculpture
Q. Has Inkwell helped you on your creative journey and aided you towards recovery?
I’m a newbie at Inkwell but it’s helping me from the very first time. The support from Inkwell tutors and artists is leading me towards self-acceptance and creative playfulness in my art. As an example I wanted to learn crocheting from childhood but I always failed because of a block. After a couple of weeks at Inkwell I could break down this block and taking part of a group exhibition with my curious crocheted sculpture, Ulrich. I’m really pleased with being at Inkwell, getting encouragement from talented and desperate artists and tutors.
This week we are taking to Craig, a talented artist here at Inkwell who has incredible skills using pencil and graphite. Craig creates beautiful and detailed drawings of landscapes, gardens and wildlife.
Cold Newton - Leicestershire
Craig
Q. How long have you been drawing, painting or been creative?
Since the age of thirteen. About 45 Years.
Q. Have you ever had any art training?
I have never had any training. I read books and watched videos and DVD’s to learn different techniques.
Kew Gardens
Q. What are your favourite materials and what is your preferred art form?
I have always enjoyed drawing with pencils, using both graphite and coloured pencils. I have also worked with watercolours and experimented with ink and pastel. I worked permanent night shifts for 27 years, so being able to pick up a pencil and draw was an easy option for me. I also used to enjoy time painting and drawing with my daughetsr when they were young. They have grown up to be very creative.
Q. Who or what inspires you?
I like a variey of artists, from Rolf Harris to Turner. I am inspired by reading painting and drawing books and pushing myself to try different techniques.
Q. Describe your style and method of working
I take my time when drawing - I do not rush. I never trace pictures and everything I do is free hand. I enjoy drawing from pictures in books, magazines, postcards and photographs. I am known for never being 100% satisfied when I have finished a picture, my usual comment being “it’s not bad”, even when people give me compliments.
Green House Lane - Bromhill
Q. How does being creative help your well being?
Drawing helps me concentrate. It helps me focus on something. When I produce a good picture, I feel pride in what I have acheived.
Q. Has Inkwell helped you on your creative journey and aided you towards recovery?
I have always drawn as a hobby but coming to Inkwell has helped me in the following ways:
I really enjoy my Friday mornings.
The second installment of our Meet The Artist series.
This week we are talking to Amanda one of our artists here at Inkwell. To read other interviews from our Meet the Artist Feature click here
‘Tree of Life’ - Acrylic on canvas - 2012
Q. How long have you been drawing, painting or been creative?
I always looked forward to art lessons at school but unfortunately couldn’t pursue it as a part of my school curriculum. I kept an interest in being creative throughout my teens and painted mainly in watercolours in my spare time while I was studying at college. Once in further education I didn’t have the time to keep it up. I took various courses as a mature student in my 20′s and 30′s but really it was only in the last ten years that I painted more seriously. I also started to dabble with jewellery making during this time. Coming to Inkwell definitely brought it out of me and gave me the confidence to nurture my art interests.
‘Vitae‘ - acrylic on canvas - 2012
Q. Have you ever had any art training?
Not as such. I really wanted to take up Art as a subject at school but due to the timetabling system and being a pianist I was forced to take Music instead. I am considering going back to university to study art and get a degree.
I have done various other courses such as Ceramics and Interior design at NVQ level and later on in life I went to Bradford College to study Window Dressing (Visual Merchandising) where I was awarded a BDS distinction and Nationwide Bronze Medal for that year.
Silver Birch - Acrylic on Canvas
Autumns Breath - Acrylic on canvas
Q. What are your favourite materials and what is your preferred art form?
I always paint in Acrylics, it suits the way I work, plus I am intrinsically an impatient person. I love paper too and really wish I had the patience to master paper cutting which is an art-form I really do admire. I also work with inks and pens and the other main material I use is copper wire for my jewellery. I adore copper, it’s feel, colour and earthiness. I can’t say which art-form is my favourite, it’s a toss up between painting or wirework.
Up in the Trees - Original Ink on paper. Digitally Enhanced.
Q. Who or what inspires you?
Nature and the natural world are my biggest inspirations. Having been brought up in the tropics I spent a lot of time outdoors playing with insects, plants and other wildlife. I like ethnic tribal styles of jewellery so African or Middle Eastern art and jewellery inspires me. Artists such as Klimt, Margaret Macdonald and Aubrey Beardsley and the Art Nouveau movement. I also love the work of Petra Borner the illustrator, Mia Perlman the paper artists, and wirework artisans such as Mary Tucker.
Twilight - 2010
Q. Describe your style and method of working
I would say my style is definitely organic and I love including intricate marks and patterns. I am very impatient and spontaneous and do very little preparation before I attempt a piece both in my art and my jewellery making. My attitude is ‘dive in and have a go’. I have learnt not to be too precious about things and if I have made a bold move, the result may be a happy mistake. On the whole my jewellery is slightly more controlled and planned.
Lady of the Lake
Q. How does being creative help your well being?
When I am painting I feel like life just couldn’t be anything without it, it’s euphoric, engrossing, relaxing and takes me into states of mind that give me a huge sense of escape. I struggle with anxiety and taking time out to make or paint something helps me to stay calm. I feel a sense of control when I paint. I am in charge of that canvas or piece of wire, the outcome is in my hands something that life hasn’t always offered me.
Tribal Copper and Agate Necklace
Q. Has Inkwell helped you on your creative journey and aided you towards recovery?
Inkwell really kick started my creative journey. Although I used to dabble in arts before it never became a way of life until I started coming to Inkwell. My confidence has been boosted enormously from being here, to have feedback and critique from fellow artists and the tutors, to be able to feel safe and relaxed amongst people who don’t judge you. I finally feel like a person with purpose and have gained a bit more respect for myself and my abilities from being here.
Boudicca - Copper wirework necklace
