Where are you from, and how does that influence your work?
I work from my home studio in Shropshire, which is really important to me as it’s definitely my happy place and where I feel most relaxed and comfortable. It also has the advantage of allowing me to work at anytime of the day or night when I’m at my most creative.
I’ve worked for many years in a busy studio environment as an artist with my husband since leaving art college over 30 years ago and, although I sometimes miss the buzz of a studio environment, I find with my painting I prefer the solitude and quietness that comes with being in my own space allowing me to just switch off from what’s around me and lose myself in my work.
Which artists or pieces of work are your biggest creative influences?
During my years at art college my biggest inspiration was undoubtedly Picasso. At the time I was transitioning into studying 3 dimensional vocational art and, therefore, artists such as Picasso - whose artistic capabilities went so far reaching into other mediums such as clay and sculpture as well as abstract and portraiture.
I think the biggest Inspiration to me comes from the everyday things and interesting objects...anything from a beautiful handmade artefact in a museum, to a person passing by on the street. I particularly love old photographs and I get such inspiration and nostalgia from them.
Tell us about your favourite medium
Without a doubt it’s always been watercolours. My Father painted in watercolours and taught me from a very early age how to paint and draw, so it’s second nature in terms of tools that I use to create with.
I’ve always loved the transparency of watercolours and the flexibility of how they can be used and they fit perfectly with my vision of what I see in my minds eye - what it is that I want to create.
What motivates you to create?
I’ve always had a creative mind and have always made things and drawn from an early age. Having worked as a creative person throughout my career means that the creative process has always been part of what I do every day...so the motivation aspect of it is just what keeps that going from one idea to the next.
Inspiration can come from the most random snapshot in my mind of a scene or image or seeing something that will just spark an idea. Sometimes it can be seeing something whilst I’m driving and I will have to write it down or sketch it when I get home.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
We were given lots of great advice at art college, but there are definitely a couple that I still think about everyday…
Firstly “less is more" : the art of knowing when to stop, and resisting the urge to add to a piece
Secondly “quality of Line”: whether it be in pen, pencil or paint, the ability to capture an expression, movement or emotion by the quality of a line or brush stroke is something I will never tire of trying to capture and explore in my work.
Check out Bev's collection of original paintings and limited edition prints on our online gallery.
