In london, you're expected to attend art openings and socialise if you want to exhibit with certain galleries etc. When I moved to Hastings I really resigned myself to the fact I couldn't play that game and would have to take matters into my own hands. This is why I started the local art collective Babes In Arms with fellow artist Annie Mackin, to champion artist mothers based in Hastings and make flexible opportunities that worked around parenthood. We have put on our own exhibitions and made our own opportunities. I do find now though, especially as I co parent, that being freelance is my only option. I have no idea how I would navigate a 9-5 office job around parenting and school pick ups. So being an artist, albeit stressful in terms of the pressures of being freelance, does enable me to be flexible with my schedule.
Tell us about your home now, describe the style and how you’ve chosen to decorate it and especially the art you choose to live with and hang on your walls…
So I moved in with my partner and we are slowly making our dream home and mixing our styles! My previous home was Victorian and I loved choosing the colours and really playing to the seaside esthetic. Our home now is more arts and crafts in style and we want to lean into a more Bloomsbury vibe. We have plans to do lots of murals and it will still be very colourful and full of art. My favourite pieces that I live with that I have collected are my ceramics by Kelly Jessiman (friend and incredible artist), a couple of paintings I own by Una Ursprung, Matt Macken and Cathy Tabbakh that I adore, a beautiful framed tapestry by artist and friend Rosie Beard, and a gorgeous painting by Annie Mackin. I have a lot of prints too, my favourite is a depiction of Hastings Old Town by Alfie Caine. I also have a wonderful still life by Aida Wilde. My partner Alice has created some wonderful art which I love (I especially love their sculptures which are surreal and beautiful). We also have some gorgeous pieces by our mother's Sue Wadsworth and Janie Stott that I adore. And lots and lots of art by the kids up everywhere!! We also have a portrait of our cat Pearl painted by my friend Liv Long, which I love.
How have you kept your personal style and taste while creating a family home?
I think for me it's all about how colours sit together, we are both naturally really drawn to greens, pinks and blues, and then other shades to accent them. Basically very similar to the colours in my paintings! I have also painted lots of lampshades and we have handmade cushions around, every room has something handmade and personal, even the grandfather clock was built by a relative of mine!
How do you encourage creativity in your home?
I will always invest in decent art supplies and I make sure we have lots of them accessible at all times in the house. My kids draw everyday and I think it's them at their most content. My studio is also at home, I like being able to dip into work whenever the moment takes me! I need to work around the children and a studio out of the house just doesn't work for me.
How important is it for children to grow up surrounded by art and visual inspiration?
It is so incredibly important, I want it to be their normal, and I think it encourages play, daydreaming and freedom. They already understand the importance and value of art and really respect it too. I often bring them when I drop off paintings to collectors or framers, so they understand where they end up.
