Interview by Jimon

1-What is your earliest childhood memory of making art?  Drawing at the kitchen table, the earliest drawing I remember is a drawing of Ariel from ‘The Little Mermaid’ I have it here in a frame hanging in my flat.

2-What did your path to becoming an artist look like? Art was something I had always wanted to do. My Mum went to Central Saint Martins (‘Central’ back then) and studied Jewelry so I was really lucky to have someone always drawing, painting murals around the house; being creative whilst growing up. I’ve also never forgotten being told off at School in Art class for mixing oil and acrylic paint. I loved the thick, bulging texture I was getting. Art was the only lesson I thought I couldn’t be wrong in so I continued to push and play with materials and find new textures.

3-Where did you grow up and how did that affect you as an artist? I grew up in Nottingham, England which has a great Art and Music scene. I went to the local schools and then went on to complete my Art Foundation there as well. It’s friendly, spacious and has a lot of exciting things going on. It gave me a well-rounded view on life.

4-Where do you currently live and create? London, England

5-How would you describe yourself as an artist? Hardworking, quiet and colorful.

6-Do you have motto on how to live life? Everything happens for a reason.

7-Did you study art or is it inherent? I studied my BA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts, London.

8-Is there any reality behind your paintings or are they purely fantasy? Purely fantasy in terms of composition. More recently I’ve been adding landscape elements and interested in how a work can sit simultaneously between abstraction and figuration. For me It’s about the process, how I use the materials and harmoniously balance color, texture and composition. My earlier works were much more abstracted, I created them as sculptural paintings using a layering process with oil paint and wax, scraping and engraving away sections. The wax paste I use gives my work depth and contrasts in surfaces.

9-What influences you as an artist? Nature, contrasting color combinations/textures and the senses.

10-What historical figure do you like to invite over for pizza? The Queen

11-Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration? I feel free when I’m near the water, I think a lot of creative people do. The studio I’ve recently moved to is right by the River Thames and I enjoy walking over to see it on coffee breaks. The natural rhythms slow me down.

12-When you are not painting where would someone find you?  At a private view, at my local Art store in Camberwell or running. Exercise is really important to my mental well-being.

13-How do you describe success as an artist? A strong, progressive practice down to being obsessed with it.

14-Name three things you can’t live without in your studio?  Coffee, Music and Oil paint.

15-If you could have dinner with 3 artists living/dead who would be at your table? Helen Frankenthaler, Joan Mitchell and Pia Fries.

16-How would someone find you on Social media? Instagram @connieharrison

17-What question would you ask if you were the interviewer and please answer the question?-What artwork has held your gaze for the longest? It was at ‘Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse’ exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts. In the very last room was a tryptic of water lilies that were reunited for the first time in decades. It hit me and completely overwhelmed me. I haven’t ever felt so emotional looking at art and yet to feel like that again.

18-Please name the first thing that comes to your mind while reading the following:

Art= The reason to get up in the morning

Food= Falafell Wrap

Sports= Football

Politics= Brexit

Sex= on the Beach, cheers

Luxury= Time

Poor= Help

Rich= Love

God= Morals

Religion= Belief

Picasso= Genius

Afterlife= Maybe