Today on the Art Seeker Stories 21st episode, I have an Art 2 HeArt with Rian Hotton, a Jersey born, London based contemporary artist whose paintings are bright and bold, nostalgically alluring. In fusing life with art he creates new narratives. In particular Rian’s recent focus has been on bridging the gap between art and science where he investigates new lines of inquiry for unanswered questions. In this episode we chat about the creative narrative and idea process, how thoughts become ideas working in a known reality and our perception of it and yet in digging deeper our ideas continue to come, multiplying and expanding. How do we make sense of it all? & What new ideas can we find, beyond reality? Rian’s art explores these possibilities visually illustrating his journey of inquiry. Rian’s book recommendation is:The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 1844 You can find out more about Rian's work:Instagram: @rianhottonWebsite: www.rianhotton.com

Today on the Art Seeker Stories 20th episode, I have an Art 2 HeArt with Skye Holland, a London based contemporary artist with an entrepreneurial spirit, creatively cultivating a bridge between art and business. Above all else, as in the art she creates, Skye is passionate for wildlife conservation In this episode our chat meanders between art and life. Of Passion and expression, learning and educating, ultimately making a difference, for wild animals close to extinction.Skye also shares her stories about growing up as the only member of her family who could hear and her decade in South Africa. Artists mentioned are:Marlene Dumas William Kentridge at The Tate& KAWS NEW FICTION At the Serpentine North Gallery Skye’s book recommendation is:Women who Run with Wolves by  Clarissa Pinkola EstésHere, you can find out more about Skye and here work.Website: www. skyeholland.comInsta : @skyehollandSkye has also been interviewed on The Curator's Salon Podcastlisten here

Today on the Art Seeker Stories 19th Episode, I have an Art 2 HeArt with Catherine Sweet, a London based multimedia artist and curator, who has recently founded BobCat Gallery, offering Affordable Art For All.  In this episode we chat about the challenges of starting up a new gallery, the new opportunities it has brought in. The importance and constant juggle of keeping a balance in business, supporting others, and looking after your own creativity and art.Catherine believes in the strength of community and promotes making art accessible to all,  in education, knowledge, access and price point. She is also a committee member for both,  @artcanorg and @artsrichmondukCatherine's recommended books:Manx Mouse by Paul Gallico Only Forward by Michael Marshall SmithYou can find out more about Catherine, her work and BobCat Gallery Insta : @insta_cat13 And  @bobcatgalleryWebsite: www.bobcatgallery.co.uk

Hello and Welcome! Today on the Art Seeker Stories podcast I’m coming to you with a bonus, mini, solo episode.Truth be told I’m at a cross-roads, my art is shifting and feeling different. I have the idea and the vision, but I can’t grasp it – see it for real. I’m excited but equally, or maybe more so, I’m in fear and I’m scared.  In this episode I’m processing and documenting my ideas. I share with you my bigger picture and how I aim to get there. I’m jump starting the exploration by doing the  #100dayproject , to break down my barriers, to put the work in and trust in turn,the rest will come.  My bigger project where everything else works towards is a book and artwork that exploresART SEEKING SOUL –  For now, my 100 days will start with sketching. However since recording, I’m thinking I’ll also have one large canvas and make a mark, for 100 days – that can’t be too difficult.  My recommended reading list seeking art, self & soul.My inspiration December – Feburary: Munch in his Own Words : Paul Erik The Private Journals of Edvard MunchEdvard Munch Behind the Scream: Sue PrideauxThe Loneliness of the Soul: Tracy Emin & Edvard Munch / RAStrangeland : Tracy Emin Creating the Impossible: Michael NeilGreenlights: Matthew McConaughyThe War of Art: Steven PressfieldThe Artist Journey: Steven Pressfield The Creative Habit: Twyla TharpYou Are An Artist : Bob & Roberta SmithThe exhibition I mention is KAWS NEW FICTION at the Serpentine North Gallery and is on show until 27thFeb. To see other artists who are taking part in the 100 Day Project, share your work and and have a search on #100dayproject and find more info on insta: @dothe100dayproject and website www.the100dayproject.org& Lastly, with many thanks, for support, a shout out to Gary Mansfield of The Ministry of Art’s podcast. Go on, go and have a listen, it’s fab - Possibly the most inclusive arts podcast. On insta: @mizogart & @ministryofartsorg    

Today on the Art Seeker Stories 17th Episode I have an Art 2 HeArt with Sally Whelan, a figurative self-taught artist working in Wiltshire. In this episode we chat about Sally’s larger than life figurative paintings. Her calling to create them and how they have evolved. From the Goddess Sittings to the Gender Divine.  She is interested in the connection between the viewer and subject, in creating, she is the woman in between. Her pictures capture the full person, from all sides, the light and the dark, vulnerable, and strong.  Her figurative paintings share the subject’s intimate stories, their skin hidden in shades and depths, in a narrative that is ever changing.  Ultimately Sally, shows people themselves, seeking their soul.  Sally's recommended books:Colour : Travels Through the Paintbox : Victoria Finlay120 Days of Sodom by  Marquis De Sade You can find more about Sally and her work here.Website  www.paintersally.comInstagram @painter.sally   &  @the_gender_divine project& Remember to tune in to Sally's Artist Gasbag series on IGTV on Thursday's at 6pm.

Today on the Art Seeker Stories 16th Episode I have an Art 2 HeArt with Gina McAdam, artist and founder of Haus of Paint, a small slow fashion label from Surrey.   In this episode we chat about the traditional paths that our art can take us. We talk about Gina’s love for print making and poetry and how Lockdown gave her permission to follow her dream to carve a new path into fashion We discuss claiming ourselves as artists and the frustrations of diluting your artist voice to commercialism. In contrast, we move on to Grayson Perry, an artist who we both admire.  Of course we also chat about the first year of Haus of Paint, the learning and experience of building a new fashion brand business. And then we talk colour -     Gina's book and creative inspiration is Grayson Perry, here's a link to the series I spoke about :Grayson Perry's Rites of Passage, a Channel 4 series.I also have a couple of his books in my bookshelf:Grayson Perry, Portrait of the  artist as a young girl. Grayson PerryGrayson Perry's Sketchbooks. Grayson PerryGina also recommended day out for inspiration: Barbara Hepworth Gallery in St Ives. &Watts Gallery Artists Village in ComptonGina's Haus of Paint Fashion Designs Website : https://hausofpaint.bigcartel.com Insta: @haus_of_paintArt and creativity : @ginamcartist

Today on the Art Seeker Stories 15th Episode I have an Art 2 HeArt with Nirali Patel, a London based multi-disciplinary artist whose mission is to empower change through creating art. Her artwork is bright and bold, accessible, and inspiring. Each collection is created with a deeply meaningful cause in mind.In this episode we chat about the blurred line between art and our lives and how one feeds into the other, as our art essentially becomes who we are. We discuss improving our skillset, the value of learning and how do we keep the light joy in creating when it becomes heavy and pressured in becoming a business.  Most of all I love Nirili’s idea for shifting our mindset, she has created her own 32 weeks of rejection. It’s such a great project, I for one will be doing my own version – so watch this space!Nirali's book inspiration is :Green Lights by Mathew McConaughey You can find out more about Nirali and her work here:Website:     https://www.nirali.artInstagram @niraliart

Today on the Art Seeker Stories 14th Episode I have an  Art 2 HeArt with  Vicki Disney, a Sussex contemporary artist, who takes her inspiration from the old, unloved and tumbledown things we see around us in every day life. Her artwork is abstract, multi layered and deeply textured.  In this episode we explore contrasting styles that echo our mood, trusting our intuition and Vicki’s recent Open Studios. Vicki's book inspiration: Create your own destiny by William WhitecloudArtist's we mention, are :Jodie King @jodie_king_Nicholas Wilton, @nicholaswilton and @art2life_world Jessica Zoob @jessicazoobartAnd Author Austin Kleon @austinkleonYou can find more about Vicki and her work here: Website: https://www.vickidisney.artInstagram :  @vicki_disney & @delightfullyvelvet

Today on the Art Seeker Stories 13th episode I invite Laura Parker to Art Seeker Island. Of her Art she says: Art is like a strand of her life that has developed as she’s grown older (She’ll be 70 in 6 months’ time!).  For many years, art was something she loved and studied, gaining a degree in History of Art & Architecture at 45, but it had never occurred to her to try to create her own work.   At fifty, Laura began painting portraits and the human figure in oils. She explored landscape painting, going outside to paint ‘en plein air’. Currently Laura finds greater self expression in working more abstractly, capturing a sense of ‘landscape’ that is less representational but more emotional, expressive and authentic to her artistic vision. Laura’s use of colour and mark-making is vibrant, creating an energy and vitality to her paintings, offering the viewer a personal interpretation of the world where our individual sensibilities might meet. Laura takes us on wonderful magical journey beneath the sea, The 3 artist  artworks Laura takes with her for company on Art seeker Island are;1. By a woman: Jenny Saville – the visceral impact of her Reverse at the RA Summer Exhibition2. Of cultural significance: We are going to Australia with Brett Whiteley, looking at Rembrandt's portrait, an 18 panel painting: Alchemy and paintings of Sydney Harbour3. Free choice:  Going to Norway with Ludvig Karsten's Blue Kitchen and Reclining Nude.Lufi’s Library Book Swap:Borrowing:  Robot & Boo, The beach cleaning crew by Leeanne Splatt @castawaycolorSwapping: A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki  https://www.instagram.com/ozekiland/You can find more about Laura and her work here: Website: www.lauraparkerart.comTwitter :  @lauraparker_ukInstagram :  @lauraparker_ukLaura is also a member of @artcanorg

Today, on the Art Seeker Stories Podcast 12th Episode  I invite Rebecca Tucker to her Artist Residency on Art Seeker Island, to create a concept for her exhibition 'The Shape of Hope.' Rebecca is a Lancashire born/London based painter, whose works are the result of a visual ‘discussion’ between abstract and more representational methods of depicting landscape and the natural world. Using colour, texture, line and layers Rebecca is keen to play with the viewers perception of space in her artworks (and what would traditionally constitute a ‘landscape’) and then pull that preconceived idea back to the appreciation of what are essentially abstract marks on a two dimensional surface.  Rebecca studied Fine Art at Reading University in the 90's, now lives in Greater London and owns an Interior Design company in Wimbledon.  Rebecca Art Seeker Island takes us on a wonderful journey through photography , surrealism and an exploration in light where beams of colour create emotion and illusions of floating space. Her Island lives among the trees, it explores all seasons and all terrain, the grass may be greener elsewhere, but on Art Seeker Island, Rebecca has everything all at once. The 3 artist  artworks Rebecca takes with her for company on Art seeker Island are;1. By a woman: Vivian Maier http://www.vivianmaier.com/ photographer2. Of cultural significance: Rene Magritte's 'Ceci n'est pas une pipe'3. Free choice: James Turrell (specifically his exhibition at the Hayward 1993) www.jamesturrell.com Lufi’s Library Book Swap:Borrowing:  Cloud Atlas by David MitchelSwapping: Maddaddam Trilogy by Margaret AtwoodIncluding: Oryx And Crake, The Year of the Flood and MaddaddamYou can find more about Rebecca and her work here:Website : www.rebeccatucker.co.uk Instagram @rebeccatuckerpaintings @rebeccatuckerportraitsInterior Design: www.sunainteriordesign.com @sunainteriordesignRebecca is also a member of www.artcan.org.uk @artcanorg