Interviews with other artists
Louise Morton set herself the goal of recording the family farm in watercolour. I caught up with her over lunch and asked her to let us know how she's getting on. Here's our interview, including a few of the many paintings Louise has produced.
1. How long has the farm been your family home and what inspired you to make a study of it now?
“37 years. Time's running out.”
2. How long have you worked on this series?
“On and off for a year. I have wanted to for years but fear of getting started.”
“37 years. Time's running out.”
2. How long have you worked on this series?
“On and off for a year. I have wanted to for years but fear of getting started.”
3. If you have a goal for this particular series what is it and did you feel you achieved it?
“To sketch anything around the farm, in any form, every subject. It’s still ongoing.”
4. Does this series continue previous work or is this a departure from previous work?
“It continues previous work, but plein air.”
5. What equipment did you need in order to paint en plein air?
“One paint brush, size 14
10 little paints (Pictured)
2 little water pots (Pictured)
Watercolour pad
Water bottle
Warm waterproof
Sun hat
and a sandwich”
“To sketch anything around the farm, in any form, every subject. It’s still ongoing.”
4. Does this series continue previous work or is this a departure from previous work?
“It continues previous work, but plein air.”
5. What equipment did you need in order to paint en plein air?
“One paint brush, size 14
10 little paints (Pictured)
2 little water pots (Pictured)
Watercolour pad
Water bottle
Warm waterproof
Sun hat
and a sandwich”
6. What difficulties did you face and how did you overcome them?
“The demands of the farm and my belief that I was an imposter to watercolour.”
7. Has your textile degree influenced your art, if so how?
“Really not sure - it allowed me to be more expressive, bold with colour etc but sometimes it's haunted me, in the way that I still hear their voices on the "critic" meetings. I suppose, being reduced to tears and surviving, was an exercise I did come through. The pressure was immense. On the good side it extended my outlook on subjects etc - and I appreciated the value of artists and their struggles.
Also, if people know you have been to Art/Design College I feel there is more expectation from them, so I have tended to keep it quiet as I felt I had nothing to show for it.”
“The demands of the farm and my belief that I was an imposter to watercolour.”
7. Has your textile degree influenced your art, if so how?
“Really not sure - it allowed me to be more expressive, bold with colour etc but sometimes it's haunted me, in the way that I still hear their voices on the "critic" meetings. I suppose, being reduced to tears and surviving, was an exercise I did come through. The pressure was immense. On the good side it extended my outlook on subjects etc - and I appreciated the value of artists and their struggles.
Also, if people know you have been to Art/Design College I feel there is more expectation from them, so I have tended to keep it quiet as I felt I had nothing to show for it.”
8. What kept you going through difficult times?
“I didn't want to be on my deathbed thinking "I wish I had done it", regardless if my work was not good enough.”
9. What medium did you choose to use for this series and why?
“Watercolour - just wanted to see how I could master it - but so little knowledge.”
10. Which artists influence you?
“Trevor Chamberlain and John Singer Sergent.”
“I didn't want to be on my deathbed thinking "I wish I had done it", regardless if my work was not good enough.”
9. What medium did you choose to use for this series and why?
“Watercolour - just wanted to see how I could master it - but so little knowledge.”
10. Which artists influence you?
“Trevor Chamberlain and John Singer Sergent.”
11. What will you do with the body of work that you have produced?
“I would like to have cards printed.”
12. Has working on the series changed the way you look at/feel about the farm?
“Yes, I'm always looking. Some bits I thought would be easy, but found them challenging, other bits were surprisingly ok.”
13. Have you learnt anything about yourself and/or your art whilst working on this series?
“I'm quite good at beating myself up - but a lot better at focusing and not letting the negative take over.”
“I would like to have cards printed.”
12. Has working on the series changed the way you look at/feel about the farm?
“Yes, I'm always looking. Some bits I thought would be easy, but found them challenging, other bits were surprisingly ok.”
13. Have you learnt anything about yourself and/or your art whilst working on this series?
“I'm quite good at beating myself up - but a lot better at focusing and not letting the negative take over.”
14. What was the reward of all your hard work?
“My reward, although it's still ongoing, is that I don't feel so frustrated about letting myself down and failure - to accept it and move on.”
15. Do you have any advice you would like to pass on following this experience?
“Don't feel guilty for painting and don't take it to heart if other people's reactions are what you expect.”
Louise, thank you. You have inspired me. I am in awe of your output and talent. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work - please put me down for some of those cards you are going to produce! ~ Lots of love Elle x
If you would like to contact Louise you can use the contact form and I will pass it on to her or, please leave a message for Louise below.
Eleanor
“My reward, although it's still ongoing, is that I don't feel so frustrated about letting myself down and failure - to accept it and move on.”
15. Do you have any advice you would like to pass on following this experience?
“Don't feel guilty for painting and don't take it to heart if other people's reactions are what you expect.”
Louise, thank you. You have inspired me. I am in awe of your output and talent. I am looking forward to seeing more of your work - please put me down for some of those cards you are going to produce! ~ Lots of love Elle x
If you would like to contact Louise you can use the contact form and I will pass it on to her or, please leave a message for Louise below.
Eleanor
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