visual arts & contemporary crafts Artgenu/e

by Lesley Samms

What’s the Story? – Artists and gallery owners talking about their unique journey

For this issue we speak to Kent artist Louisa Crispin, Artist in Residence at Bannatynes, near Eastbourne, until 14th May.

Please could you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

Born in Farnborough, Hampshire we moved to Sissinghurst, Kent when I was eight and I now live in nearby Hawkhurst. My days were filled with sport and outdoor living, I rarely sat still.

Did you have an interest in art as a child?

Apparently I drew on the wall all the way up the stairs when I was little but I have no memory of drawing during my growing years. However I was very interested in all types of craft. My mother was a contemporary textile artist, having sewn for most of her life and worked for Digby Morton and Ronald Patterson in her late teens. I attended many shows and workshops with her over the years before training as a silversmith and subsequently learning to draw.

Did you have a formal art education or are you self-taught?

I would be described as 'selftaught' in that I never studied at a university, but I have attended many courses by some talented tutors and artists that have generously shared their knowledge and enabled me to develop my own style.

Was there a moment or a person or a place in your past that influenced you or you feel set you on the journey to where you are now?

Carolyn Worby – a botanical artist who exhibited at Florum in Kent for several years. I fell in love with her intricate skeleton leaf drawings and wondered if I could achieve her level of skill. She gave me a starting point. Since then the influences have been many and varied, from historical work such as John Ruskin and Albrecht Dürer through to more contemporary drawing artists – far too many to list here.

I’m fascinated by the delicacy and beauty in nature, particularly at a micro level. When I draw this detail I become completely absorbed in what I am doing but also find I need to learn more about the subject. Drawing is an aide memoire, it anchors me in a particular moment and makes me really look closely to understand the subject. Artist books from my childhood, such as Charles Tunniclife, Gordon Benningfield and Edith Holden inspire me but I’m also interested in the trend for Green Sketching (Ali Foxon has written a wonderful handbook).

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

I think my answer would be different each day. Today it’s about being flexible so I can indulge in a trip to Lamberhurst church to see the snowdrops before retreating to my studio to become absorbed in drawing ferns. Another day it was visiting the London Art Fair with like-minded people, discovering new artists, subjects and techniques. The Flightpath Community Project was a highlight. I loved the connections, hearing the stories and seeing the variety of drawings. I was thrilled to win The Big Draw Award for this work.

What has inspired or influenced you?

The thing about maturity is that there are so many influences that you can’t possibly pinpoint them all. It’s often the smallest thing that can have the most impact, an off the cuff comment at just the right moment such as the person who told me that drawing is about practice. I listen to audiobooks and pod-