Susan Hestford - Original Paintings


This interview with Susan was taken by Amber Bird of Design Splat on 01/09/2010 Welcome to Design Splat Susan! How did you get into Art? I was always interested in drawing and sketching but it was a friend that introduced me to the art class at our local community centre, this is where I was shown how to use oil paints and where I completed my first painting. How long have you been creating art? The first painting was approx. 25 years ago. However it will be around 8 years when I started to create my own original paintings. What does art mean to you? A form of relaxation and enjoyment. Where do the images come from that you draw/paint? All around really, outside, holidays I’ve been on, and justfrom looking at the skies. Everything we see around us, just taking notice when I’m out walking or in a car. What is your inspiration for these images you create? Sounds like the same question, inspiration I guess would be from all the different colours. But I guess I’d also have to sat listening to music while painting, doesn’t seem to go together but it works for me. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Still enjoying what I’m doing now with more ideas and inspiration. What drives you/gives you the ‘go’ to keep at it and do everything? The enjoyment of painting. Also when I’m out exhibiting, hearing people’s comments and feedback keeps me going as it’s lovely to hear different views. Maybe I should start to do something more exciting as it’s usually “It’s very calming”. Can you recall the first painting/drawing that you created that made you go WOW!? I don’t actually know. Maybe…My snow and mountain scene, which was in oil as it was different from my previous paintings and thoroughly enjoyed painting this particular one. What is the most memorable painting/drawing that you have done and why? Probably was my snow one…and why? Hmm,probably because I fully enjoyed painting that one. Let about it, it’s where I got the paint to blend and got perspective and distance to the painting, oh and the colour. Does fame attract you? shakes head I don’t think so, I don’t like the attention. How do you rate yourself as an artist? Average, I don't really know. Just willing to learn, I enjoy what I do, if other people get pleasure out of what I do then that's a bonus but never really thought about it. What makes a good artist? Dedication…patience…for them to paint something and for someone else to be able to enjoy and feel something when they look at it. Do you paint or draw on anything else apart from canvases/on paper? I do paint on ceramics, tried painting on slate, got pebbles which I was meant to try painting on but never got round to it. But I do like canvases the best. Three words to describe yourself? Quiet, patient and friendly Hobbies and other interests? I like my keep fit, reading and gardening Favourite artist? Charlotte Atkinson Any Tips and tricks you want to share with aspiring artists? Persevere and get plenty of practice. Tools of the trade? Nothing that nobody else uses really, don’t use anything unusual. Best and worst painting you have done? I think my best one was probably an oil I did, it was in gold’s and yellows with trees. My worst one was probably a village scene I did, still in the loft laughs probably will go back to it one day though. Amber Bird of Design Splat

Welcome to Design Splat Susan!

How did you get into Art?
I was always interested in drawing and sketching but it was a friend that introduced me to the art class at our local community centre, this is where I was shown how to use oil paints and where I completed my first painting.

How long have you been creating art?
The first painting was approx. 25 years ago. However it will be around 8 years when I started to create my own original paintings.

What does art mean to you?
A form of relaxation and enjoyment.

Where do the images come from that you draw/paint?
All around really, outside, holidays I’ve been on, and justfrom looking at the skies. Everything we see around us, just taking notice when I’m out walking or in a car.

What is your inspiration for these images you create?
Sounds like the same question, inspiration I guess would be from all the different colours. But I guess I’d also have to sat listening to music while painting, doesn’t seem to go together but it works for me.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still enjoying what I’m doing now with more ideas and inspiration.

What drives you/gives you the ‘go’ to keep at it and do everything?
The enjoyment of painting. Also when I’m out exhibiting, hearing people’s comments and feedback keeps me going as it’s lovely to hear different views. Maybe I should start to do something more exciting as it’s usually “It’s very calming”.

Can you recall the first painting/drawing that you created that made you go WOW!?
I don’t actually know. Maybe…My snow and mountain scene, which was in oil as it was different from my previous paintings and thoroughly enjoyed painting this particular one.

What is the most memorable painting/drawing that you have done and why?
Probably was my snow one…and why? Hmm,probably because I fully enjoyed painting that one. Let about it, it’s where I got the paint to blend and got perspective and distance to the painting, oh and the colour.

Does fame attract you?
*shakes head* I don’t think so, I don’t like the attention.

How do you rate yourself as an artist?
Average, I don't really know. Just willing to learn, I enjoy what I do, if other people get pleasure out of what I do then that's a bonus but never really thought about it.

What makes a good artist?
Dedication…patience…for them to paint something and for someone else to be able to enjoy and feel something when
they look at it.

Do you paint or draw on anything else apart from canvases/on paper?
I do paint on ceramics, tried painting on slate, got pebbles which I was meant to try painting on but never got round to it. But I do like canvases the best.

Three words to describe yourself?
Quiet, patient and friendly

Hobbies and other interests?
I like my keep fit, reading and gardening

Favourite artist?
Charlotte Atkinson

Any Tips and tricks you want to share with aspiring artists?
Persevere and get plenty of practice.

Tools of the trade?
Nothing that nobody else uses really, don’t use anything unusual.

Best and worst painting you have done?
I think my best one was probably an oil I did, it was in gold’s and yellows with trees. My worst one was probably a village scene I did, still in the loft *laughs* probably will go back to it one day though.

Amber Bird of Design Splat