An interview with Tim Carroll

We are continuing our series of interviews with Tim Carroll, who will take part in the Swindon Open Studio 2009.

Tim also has an exhibition coming at the Art Centre in Swindon of his recent painting of Rome.

Rome - Colosseum by Tim Caroll

From 14 July - 5 September Tim Carroll's drawings of Rome will be on display at Swindon Arts Centre. Here are the details for this exhibition:

'Views of Rome' by Tim Carroll
Swindon Arts Centre
6 Devizes Rd
Swindon, SN1 4BJ
Tuesday 14th July to Saturday 5th September
'Meet the artist' Monday 13th July.

Rome-The Winter's Tale, by Tim Carroll

Q – Could you introduce yourself briefly to the readers?

Good evening. I am an artist living and working in Swindon. I am part of the Artsite Group located in Theatre Square in the town centre. A great location for that sort of thing. Benoit has asked me to answer a few questions for the Swindon Open Studios 2009 blog.

Q - How did you become interested in art?

I can remember when I was about five, my Grandma used to tell any visitors that I was a great artist and I believed her!
I also loved the smell of felt pens.

My father subscribed to the Time Life World of Art monthly magazines and had the complete set from Cave painting to Modern Art. I couldn’t understand why a lot of the pictures were worthy of inclusion, so in this way I became interested in the whys and wherefores of art history.

Workshop, by Tim Caroll

Q - What inspires you most as an artist?

Art

Q - What is your favourite medium or media? Why?

I use acrylic for convenience.

Q - Could you tell us some more about your work?

What a great question. Unfortunately I can’t talk about my work in general terms without sounding idiotic. Art is important to me and I try my best.

Q - How would you define your style?

Figurative revisionism with a dash of hope.

Blackbirds in Tree, by Tim Carroll

Q - What are your influences; artists from the past or present who inspire you?

As I said, art history can be an inspiration. For example, I am currently interested to see how far I can get in a painting without using photography and was pleased to discover that Turner would make notes and sketches with pencil and paper and add colour, from memory, back in his hotel room. So obvious and so brilliant. One of the spin-offs from this approach is that you are forced to develop all sorts of practical drawing and memory skills which might otherwise have withered away. Hurrah!

The art that has made the most impact on me recently has been the Raphael School tapestries in The Vatican and the Masolino fresco in San Clemente, Rome.

Steven Campbell and Jock MacFadyen’s work I find interesting.

Q - How do you choose the subjects of your works?

Choose a subject? What a quaint idea.

Q- How do you prepare yourself for an exhibition or a show like the Open Studios?

I do as much as I can with the time I’ve got and try to leave myself enough to tie up loose ends, prepare labels, leaflets, invites, etc. which always takes much longer than you think.


Q- You took part in the Swindon Open Studios in the past, what did it bring to you?

Quite a lot of visitors. Everybody was very kind and I enjoyed being an ‘artist’ for the day. I have no difficulty in talking about my work but you have to pitch it to suit your listener and to get the most out of the event you might have to think of different ways of answering the same questions.


Q - Are there territories (media, subjects, etc.) you want to explore in the coming years?

I’d like to make work on a different scale, either bigger or smaller. ‘The City’ is a theme I’d like to explore more.


Q - As an artist, what would be your dream?

To have a painting in a public collection.

Ship- Gold, by Tim Carroll

Q - Could you share one thing that you have learnt in your own art practice that would be useful to other artists?

Take a photograph of your work before selling it.



To view more of Tim’s work, make sure you visit his website.

An interview with Vanetta Joffe

Vanetta Joffe is participating again in the Swindon Open Studios this year and you won't regret the visit to her studio if you go. This interview will give you a glimpse of what is coming in September 12th and 13th.

But there is no reason to wait to see Vanetta's wonderful work. Make sure you visit Vanetta's solo exhibition:

"Life Elements: Abstracts and Figure"

6th to 31st July,

Belgravia Lettings, 69 Commercial Road, Swindon SN1 5NX . Tel. 01793 436400.
Open invitation to the Preview: Saturday July 4, 6.30 to 9 pm
Thereafter weekdays only till Friday31st July.

FABRIANO NUDE by Vanetta Joffe

Q – Could you introduce yourself briefly to the readers?

I have lived in Swindon and Liddington for almost 40 years, having emigrated from South Africa with my husband and daughters when we decided that we did not want to raise a family in an apartheid state. In spite of my accent I feel truly British, having been welcomed here so warmly.


Q - How did you become interested in art?


I have been drawing and painting all my life. Having gained a diploma in Graphic Design at the Swindon College as a mature student, I practised as a designer for several years before deciding to fulfil my lifelong dream of being an artist.


Q - What inspires you most as an artist?


My main passion is figure drawing from life, though I have become very interest ed in interpreting natural forms and mythical ideas in an abstract way.

PETROGLYPH: from the series ELEMENTS - by Vanetta Joffe

Q - What is your favourite medium or media? Why?


I enjoy working in many different media; I suppose I would say that water-colour is my least favourite, mainly because I’m not very good at it.


Q - Could you tell us some more about your work?

Lately I am interpreting ideas from literary sources as well as natural forms. I’m now thinking of ways to combine those elements with figurative drawing, but I do not want to become too illustrative, or trite.

The abstracts are mostly mixed media works, and the figurative work mainly with drawing media. I have also done some portraits in oils.

Q - How would you define your style?


“Eclectic” is the polite word. Mentors have advised that I should concentrate on one style, to be my “signature”. For me this is totally against my instincts; I like to explore all kinds of media and styles, and if this means I am Jack of all trades and master of none, well, so be it.

Q - What are your influences; artists from the past or present who inspire you?

Hans Holbein the younger, Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio , Velazquez and John Singer Sergeant. I admire Kurt Jackson’s work and that of Ken Howard.


Q - How do you choose the subjects of your works?


They choose me really, in the sense that a subject intrigues me for various reasons, whether it be from life or an idea from a literary source.


Q- How do you prepare yourself for an exhibition or a show like the Open Studios?


I make sure that my best work is framed and presented to its best possible advantage. I do not create work specifically for an exhibition, but if it is a themed exhibition, I would choose work to fit that theme.




I have installed spotlights for displaying my paintings, as areas of my house can be a bit dark. An excellent investment.


Some works are mounted only, to display in a browser, and then there are also portfolios of drawings for leisurely perusal.







On the walls of my studio I pin up sketches, notes and inspirational photographs etc. I make sure the studio is clean and child-proof, and easily accessible for visitors.


I also provide a good tea!


Q- You took part in the Swindon Open Studios in the past, what did it bring to you?


Many new friends, constructive criticism, ideas , and a good balance of sales. 2008 was my best year so far.


Q - Are there territories (media, subjects, etc.) you want to explore in the coming years?


I made a conscious decision about ten years ago not to do sculpture, as I thought that I would then become too distracted, given that I am not a full-time artist. But I do regret that now, and may well dip into the 3D world. I am confident that new disciplines can only be of benefit.



Q - As an artist, what would be your dream?


To have a fully-equipped, purpose built studio and gallery. To be successful in the sales department, which would establish a track record and thus give me an entrée into the commercial galleries.


In the final analysis however, the kitchen table artist can produce wonderful work; the secret is in the commitment and talent.


Q - Could you share one thing that you have learnt in your own art practice that would be useful to other artists?


Don’t dream about it, DO IT. Don’t be precious about your work; every time you create something it does not have to be perfect. If you can free yourself from that notion, your work will flow from the heart, as it should.


You can view more of Vanetta's drawings and paintings on her website: http://www.vjoffeartist.com/

An interview with Bea Menier

Bea Menier will be one of the artists taking part into the Swindon Open Studios 2009. Here she talks about her art, what inspires her and how she gets ready for the Open Studios week-end.



Q – Could you introduce yourself briefly to our readers?

Born in Cirencester in 1953, I lived in Fairford and spent my early years growing up in the Cotswolds. The surrounding countryside has always been very inspirational to me. I then moved to Old Town, Swindon and from a very young age I became fascinated with old buildings, back alleys and secret places.



Q - How did you become interested in art?

As a child, I can remember making stuff and having a great sense of adventure. I would draw and paint my daily collection of stones, twigs, in fact anything that was ‘strange or unusual.’ I would make collages out of sweet wrappers etc. Then growing up in the 60’s, I was greatly influenced by the vibrancy of colour and the extremes of design, both in clothes and décor and I decorated my bedroom at the age of 12, painting large vibrant flowers directly on the walls.



Q - What inspires you most as an artist?

I am greatly inspired by nature and the unusual, the extremes of weather, patterns in reflections, shadows. I love being on roof tops and sketching chimney pots or lying on the ground and sketching a miniature forest of mushrooms.



Q - What is your favourite medium or media? Why?

I love oil paints, I love the way it can be spread and dragged, its buttery texture and the aroma. I have also had extensive training in furniture restoration and decorative paint techniques. Oil paints lend themselves to this form of art. I have recently become very enchanted with using India Ink and I’m currently using and exploring this medium.

‘The Snow Fall’ - oil on canvas (41cm x 49cm) by Bea Menier

Q - Could you tell us some more about your work?

I paint, I sculpt (in natural stone and ciment fondue), and I love working with print, making my own books and writing poetry and journaling. In 2005 I began an artist’s journal and have made a daily entry ever since. At the time of writing, I have produced 1,593 images in my journals documenting my journey through life.
My art is all about my internal response to the external world and I like to respond to external stimuli consciously using all five senses. My favourite quote is by Voltaire “All arts are brothers – each is a light to the other.”

‘Emergence’ - sculpture is Alabaster by Bea Menier

Q - How would you define your style?

I like to paint in a stylistic manner.


Q - What are your influences; artists from the past or present who inspire you?

I like artists who have approached their work with great depth, people like Heindrich Wunterwasser, Margaret Macdonald, Trace Goldsmith, John O’Carroll, Andy Goldsworthy to name but a few.

Q - How do you choose the subjects of your works?

They choose me.

Q- How do you prepare yourself for an exhibition or a show like the Open Studios?

I like to think that preparing for an exhibition is not just about showcasing my work. It is also about creating a sensory experience for people who come to visit. I like to show a few examples of past work and then focus on where I am in the now. I also like to display my journals – this gives my visitors a glimpse of my journey as an artist.

The artist's studio

Q- You took part in the Swindon Open Studios in the past, what did it bring to you?

It was a great time for connecting with people, I had the pleasure of meeting and spending time with amazing people, each one of whom, left an impression and I valued their comments and shared time together.

Q - Are there territories (media, subjects, etc.) you want to explore in the coming years?

For me, art is an organic process and at the present time, I am drawn to creating art with natural substances like soot, sand, beeswax and just recently I have started to use coloured ochres, recently obtained from Clearwell Caves in The Forest of Dean.

Q - As an artist, what would be your dream?

I can honestly say that I am living my dream. I came across a quote some time ago which really resonated with me ‘Goals are dreams made manifest.’


Q - Could you share one thing that you have learnt in your own art practice that would be useful to other artists?

The one thing that I would like to share is to keep alive the vibrancy and wonder of what life is – The journey is more important than the destination.

Promoting Swindon Open Studios 2009

Our goal is to bring as many people to this event as possible and to have as many local artists as possible taking part. So far, Swindon Open Studios 2009 is listed on the following sites:

Information Britain

Swindon Link Magazine

ArtEvent

Wiltshire Web

Thank you to all these sites for spreading the word.

Swindon Open Studios 2009 – Call for artists

You are invited to take part in the Swindon Open Studios 2009.

The event is being held on the weekend of September 12th/13th.

To join Open Studios this year, you need to be living or working within a 10 mile radius of Swindon, and there is an opportunity to join whether you want to exhibit from your home/studio.

And if you don't have a studios or are concerned about getting visitors into your home, you can still take part in one of the exhibition spaces available in the town that weekend.

To sign-up, please go to the Swindon Open Studios website where you will find an application form to complete.

For more information, visit the website or send an email to swindonopenstudios@hotmail.co.uk

The closing date for entries is 30th June 2009, but don’t wait to register to benefit from the promotion of this event.