Good afternoon all,
We in the gallery are always inspired by the art we sell. Its always a pleasure to work with artisans from all over the world especially when we get the chance to find out more about there inspirations, what makes them get out of bed and how they create beautiful art. We’re thrilled to pass on this light interview.
All the information! Thank you Rachel Tighe!
‘St Pauls from the Thames’ by Rachel Tighe
Original Artwork: Acrylic on Box Canvas£795 (spread the payment over 10 months, interest free)
Let’s start with a little ice breaker: What are you reading at the moment?
I’m not really big on reading books, as I prefer to digest smaller amounts like articles and interviews. I’m much more into blogs and magazines. I’m currently reading ‘Frieze’ magazine.
What are you working on right now? Are you changing direction at all?
I’m working on a variety of pieces. I’m creating new urban landscapes to rotate around my gallery representatives, but I’m also keen to introduce pieces of my new abstract floral works. I do feel that I’m slightly changing course and having some time to explore new avenues within my style. I hope that people like what I’m creating as I’m having so much fun with a new found topic. It was realising that at the forefront of what I do as an artist is colour and composition, so applying this thought to a new subject matter has felt so natural.
Who, or what is your greatest influence on your life and art?
However cheesy it may sound it’s my partner, family and friends. They are all very talented and driven within their creative fields. I’m influenced by their success and achievements, making me want to better myself. I’m very grateful for their continuous support.
What drives you, gets you out of bed and inspires you to draw?
I would say it’s like an obsession… once I get an idea in my head for a new piece I want to see it finished already, so I have to start and finish it almost to relax that it’s complete on canvas. I think many things inspire my work – from architecture – to more recently organic natural forms. So I would have to say the world we live in aesthetically pushes me to create art. I would then have to say that colour inspires me when it comes to creating a painting as it plays such a huge part in the composition and overall feel of a piece.
Can you explain a little about your extraordinary technique?
My technique might be seen as naïve and childlike, but a lot of thought and time goes into creating something fluid and free-flowing. There’s not a lot of technique as such going on, more planning really. I do like the paint to appear almost flat and print like, so having speed and precision with acrylic paint has to be my technique!
What are the major challenges you face as an artist?
One of the major challenges has to be knowing when to stop and when you might be on the verge of over working a painting, and of course never being 100% about the piece, as it’s all about the next piece in your own head. Being a self-employed artist will always have its challenges, I will have waves of both self-doubt and confidence, and it feels like a roller coaster at times. I think it’s about finding a balance and knowing what to work on during the quieter times and how to organise yourself in the busier times. Perfecting this hasn’t yet been accomplished, but I have many years ahead to do so.
Who is your favourite artist at the moment?
I’d have to say my favourite artist at the moment is an artist called Heather Day. She has such a unique approach to composition and is influenced by her natural surroundings. Her colour palette is very distinctive and bold, and I just get so much joy from looking through her paintings and murals.
What’s your Life ambition?
My ambitions are to further develop my practice and explore more into other areas of art including printmaking. I think I would have to say ultimately I would love to have exhibitions outside of the UK and to have many people engaging with my work. Eventually being able to run my own gallery for purely original art and up and coming artists would be the dream really; being my own boss at the moment is one the best achievements so to help other artists achieve that would be very satisfying.
What’s next?
What’s next is to get the kettle on and start a weeks worth of frame making and canvas stretching to be prepared for the months ahead!
‘Piccadilly Circus’ by Rachel Tighe
Original Artwork: Acrylic on Canvas
To view work by Rachel Tighe in the flesh do contact the gallery
Tel – 01159243555 : E.mail – george@georgethorntonart.com
12A Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN
GEORGE THORNTON ART 