I hope the interviews will help you to throw out the old adage along the lines of 'all artists are poor, mad or addicts' and give you an idea (and in turn confidence) of what it is really like to be an artist and 'make a living' out of it. Yes, it can be hard ... but what doesn't take dedication. This is for those of you who aspire to be one; are dabbling in your home and sometimes imagine a future carrying on with it and then dampening down your dreams; or have been to college and would like to feel more confident about actually doing it ... to name but a few situations.
So, whatever your situation, read the interviews and see that if others have done it, so can you. You can be the decision-maker - you have the power to steer your own direction and influence the quality of your life yourself ... you are the boss - a self leader. You CAN create the worklife you want, doing the thing you love most in life; imagining, planning, exploring and creating it one step at a time, day by day, until one day you will be saying quite naturally ... 'I am a self employed professional artist' with a big smile on your face.
So, to start this off I thought I would answer the questions I intend to ask other professional artists myself to help you to get a fuller picture of me .. and I am hoping will encourage you to come back for more of the same from other artists that I interview approximately once every month; I also intend to add more information once in a while that I think you may find interesting.
Artist Interview
Liz Shewan
Painter & Sculptor
The smell of the art room at school. I loved it and when I was in there I never really wanted to leave. It was the smell of the pencils that I remember most, rather than an actual painting or anything. I just remember always feeling at home there.
Where do you
think you got your artistic talent from?
What is your
studio like?
Well the one I have at the moment is actually small and very organized. I have natural north light and a big daylight light for when it gets darker. I used to paint in very large spaces in converted warehouses, with the nearest running water miles away from my private cubicle. And most of the time I was freezing! It was fun though ... I didn't have to worry about splashing paint as it really didn't matter ... and I could easily paint several huge canvas's at a time. This was all great, and part of it, something not to be missed; but I really don't enjoy getting so cold any more and running around all wrapped up like a polar bear with wooly hats on my head and fingerless gloves to attempt but fail abysmally to keep warm ... now I also like to be closer to home so have gone for the smaller warmer option for now.
How has your
style developed?
Enormously, obviously. I started painting professionally in 1999 and in that time I have moved through many stages and genres - getting more confident with every brush stroke. I am still growing .. and really plan on doing that forever! Nothing in this universe is static, so I really don't see how my work can be. Whatever type of work I come out with though, you can always tell it's mine. I seem to have a certain something that cannot be put into words that follows through into each piece, a kind of essence (this is not words from my mouth mind ... I have been told this by numerous followers and clients).
What subjects do
you prefer working on and why?
I like to focus in on two subjects really; the seen and the unseen! Within the spectrum of the seen I focus on relationships and land/seascapes. Relationships are a very large topic and part of every day life ... so I find much richness every day from simply being part of it or observing others - and when I say others this can mean from people to animals. Land/seascapes are so important to me because they keep me grounded and I feel at my best when I connect with nature. In the spectrum of the unseen I focus on feelings and the processes that we all go through organically as we shift and transition through different densities and phases of our lives ... often expressing variations on the theme of the statement of 'light at the end of the tunnel'. I like to offer hope to the viewer as it is a very important element in life. I will often follow my impulse based on how I am feeling that day and not think about what I am doing. This can produce results that I am really not expecting and are often a surprise ... it can be very cathartic.
When did you
sell your first piece of artwork and what was it?
You know, it sounds terrible, but I cannot remember the first piece I ever sold. I think it's because it was at an exhibition where I had lots up and I sold several all at the same time. These several would have been of either african wildlife or sea creatures. My blue elephants on orange backgrounds were very popular at that time, as were my pen and inks of elephants. But so were my turtles swimming in the current. So which went first I'm not sure, but all these subjects were sold that day.
Have you been
given any memorable piece of advice that sticks in your mind, and who gave it
to you?
'Don't give up' has sometimes been just what I needed to hear! This has been said to me on several occasions over the years, mostly I have to say from strangers. Sometimes a show can be pretty disheartening ... you have put so much into it ... and then you find that there are let's say ... several shows on in the area all at once; or there are road works that have just been set up around the corner making it harder for everyone to get to the venue; or it's the first weekend in a very long time that the sun has come out and everyone has decided that they would prefer to spend their time outdoors ... and who would blame them! ; it's at these times that the visitors numbers are low and everything feels like a bit of a let down, so hearing those words is like music to the soul. But I will say to you, not all shows are like this by any stretch of the imagination, most are very well attended and you sell loads and more; so don't be disheartened by any of this. It's in those times that you have to remember that all the shows we do are rolled into one and it really doesn't matter - it is not quantity that matters, it is quality. And a business card can be on someone's mantle piece for 10 years before they get round to buying something ... I know it, it's happened to me.
Are you self
employed and if so how do you find it?
Yes, I am self employed and have been for the last 13 years. It has it's ups and it has its downs, just like everything in life. When I first took the leap and gave up full time employment to begin with I had to take on part time jobs whilst I established myself. I always made sure that when I was working for someone else I chose to do something linked to what I love in some way - this was very important. If I hadn't done that I may well have got depressed and given up art altogether. Now I find it very hard to imagine working for someone else as I am so used to making my own decisions and being the boss. But you do have to be very disciplined with all the jobs that need to be done; as well as making sure that you keep a good work/life balance. It's can be easy to work too hard and then wonder where your holiday is at the end of the year. Planning, that's a must. Without it, you'll do yourself and injustice. I am also a self employed Energy Healing Specialist ... so goal setting and planning in something that has to be done or it would all fall apart around my ears.
Do you have a
favourite time of day to work and why?
I like to get up early and go about my work from around 8.30 am ... but when it comes to actually painting or sculpting ... the best time of day seems to be around 4pm. Being a professional artist does not involve just sitting in your studio all day, there are many many things that need to get done to make it all flow and work - it is a business after all ... but when I have a project to do it all rolls out very naturally ... and I always seem to start working on artwork from 4pm onwards - it just flows that way. I am no longer amazed by it when I glance up at the clock, it is totally normal. And I can often be seen painting until 11 o'clock at night if I have a particularly pressing project to finish.
When was your
first exhibition and how did it go?
My first exhibition was back in 1999. I'd started a series of big paintings and it was at this time that an artist friend spotted my talent and asked me to share a show with her. I pulled out all the stops and created a full body of work in less than three months. The show was a huge success and sold 90% of my work on the opening night! It was this moment that gave me the confidence to carry on with it as a career.
Are you
ambitious?
I'm pretty aspiring I'd say. I am definitely not apathetic of lackadaisical. I can't imagine doing anything else and would like to continue to build my momentum towards my goals ...
Is there
something you want to expand upon with your work in the future?
Yes, there always is, which is what makes the whole journey so exciting. However, I am not sure that I can put it into words ... so you'll just have to watch my work develop and see for yourself!
07803 208335
liz@lizshewan.com
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