Get to Know: Clara Hancock

We are back feeling all refreshed from the Easter break and eager to get our interviews under way!!! This week we have the lovely Clara Hancock who works on silk.

1.       What was the first piece of art you remember making?

The first piece of art I remember making was a soap stone sculpture of a lady kneeling, I still have it!

2.       If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I was an animal I would be a horse

3.       An indulgence

An indulgence would be to spend a day in the lovely country side

4.       When making art, what is your biggest mind block?

My biggest mental block is the size and display of the piece once I finish it

5.       Favourite place in East Finchley? 

My favorite place in East Finchley is Cherry Tree woods

6.       What inspires you to make more art?

 What inspires me to make more art is to express my feelings from experiences of life. A walk, a visit

to a museum, or an art gallery, listening to music or a poem, looking at a garden. They all give me ideas. 

7.       How did you get involved in the East Finchley Open?

I got involved with East Finchley through my friends and founders, Sheila Jones and Tony Wiggs

8.       What is your fondest memory of London?

My Wedding!!

Get To Know: Laura Fishman

After last week's guest post by EFO Member Ann Fromberg, this week we return to our beloved interviews. This week we interview painter Laura Fishman.

1. What was the first piece of art you remember making?

       I remember drawing an expressive face when I was about 4 years old thinking it was a very exciting picture. It was at that time that I decided I would be an artist.

       2.   If you were an animal, what would you be?

If I were an animal I would want to be a chameleon - I would love to be able to change colours and blend into my environment!

        3.  An indulgence

      My favourite indulgence: My paints! I use GOLDEN artist’s colours – they dense with pigment and the colours are sublime.

        4. When making art, what is your biggest mind block?

I wouldn’t exactly call it a mind block but more a distraction. One distraction is that I should make art to please other people, and on the other side of the spectrum, is that I need to push the boundaries when making art as it should be ground-breaking. I have learnt that the best way for me to make art is to stay true to myself and so, I find a way to ‘put my blinders on’ and block these distractions out.

       5. Favourite place in East Finchley? 

My favourite place in East Finchley is Cherry Tree Wood – I love to take my dog for a walk there and then head over to the Old White Lion for some Strawberry beer.

       6. What inspires you to make more art?

` My main inspiration is colour and nature. I am inspired to keep making more art because it is continually evolving. There is excitement each time I paint as I am making something new and surprising.

     7. How did you get involved in the East Finchley Open?

       I have always wanted to be a part of an artist’s community and as well, open my house as a gallery for local people. I applied to the EFO, and although I live and work in Finchley, the East Finchley Open was kind enough to let me join!

       8.  What is your fondest memory of London?

One memory that comes to mind is when we first moved here from NY, we took the children on ride on the upper deck of a double-decker bus. It was very exciting coming from New York...

       9. What are you doing at the moment?

At the moment, I am painting in a more watery style than my thicker pour paintings. I am currently working on a pair of large canvases 120 x 150 cm, which is the largest I like to go without a commission.

       10. Where in Social Media can people find you? (Facebook, twitter..)

Facebook: Laura Fishman Art

https://www.facebook.com/LauraFishmanArt

Twitter: @LauraFishman, Instagram: LAURAFISHMANART

Get To Know: Christine Watson!

This week we interview the lovely Christine Watson who has been with us at the EFO since the very beginning!! 

 1.       What was the first piece of art you remember making?

 Although I have always drawn and painted as long as I can remember my clearest memories of creating artworks was in my RE lessons where we had to make a series of pictures illustrating episodes from the Bible. I was especially proud of my depiction of St Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus. My teacher Mrs Thornley praised it highly but added that although I was good a drawing I was certainly not a genius - a baffling comment as at the age of nine I had never really reflected on my ability one way or the other!

       

        2.   If you were an animal, what would you be?

 Probably all three of my cats who live life to the full in very different ways but totally on their own terms.

  

        3.  An indulgence

 Swimming in the sea at the beach at Marathias near Neapolis in the very southern Peloponnese. Beautiful warm, clear water shared only with a few locals - the madding crowd have yet to spoil it with their noise and clutter!

        

        4. When making art, what is your biggest mind block?

 Having worked as a professional artist for over 30 years the concept of mind block is irrelevant and I have learnt to work through the bad times in order to create the good ones. Waiting for the muse to arrive is not an option and I have to work to a strict routine much as I would in any job.

       5. Favourite place in East Finchley? 

 It has to be the Phoenix Cinema! Before we moved to East Finchley we used to go to the Phoenix very frequently on the 102 bus from Temple Fortune and in the end it seemed simpler to move house in 1989. We've been members for years and cherish the wide and varied programme ranging from Led Zepplins Celebration to All is Lost to Whiplash.

       6. What inspires you to make more art?

 A quest for perfection! If I ever reach the stage when I feel I have created the perfect picture I'll know it's time to give up  - but as only a handful of us achieve that goal I know I'll be painting hard for ever. Each painting I make is a rehearsal for the next!

        

     7. How did you get involved in the East Finchley Open?

I was involved from the outset and was one of the exhibitors at the famous concert given by Sarah Downs and her ensemble at the church in Durham Road.

            

       8.  What is your fondest memory of London?

It has to be the Olympics - such an amazing summer filled with the feel good factor and the excitement that London actually got it right!

       9. What are you doing at the moment?

 Painting hard, etching even harder and teaching harder still. I have plans but am keeping those under wraps for the time being!

      10. Where in Social Media can people find you? (Facebook, twitter..)

Twitter @cswsc96

www.christinewatson.co.uk

Facebook Christine Watson and Christine Watson's Art Classes - shows much of the brilliant work done by my hardworking students!