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What is your favourite film of all time?

Very hard question! I can't pick just one definitively- Hitchcock classics, The Shawshank  Redeption, The Hangover, Pretty Woman

What music are you currently listening to and why?

 currently, motown, 80's cheese, club classics bit of everything really- because it makes me happy :)

Which living artists do you most admire and why?

I admire Cindy Sherman, because it was seeing her work that inspired me to try photographing and then painting someone dressed up as a character. I admire her for her versatility And her imagination and amazing acting ability in front of the camera! Others I admire include Jeff Wall, Nan Goldin, Jenny Holzer, Jenny Saville, Allen Jones and Gregory Crewsdon.

Which deceased artist do you most admire and why?

There isn’t a single deceased Artist whom I admire most (too hard) but for me some of the great Pin-Up artists like Gil Elvgren, and George petty and female Pin-Up artist Joyce Ballantyne. They captured humour and expressions so well, Painting with beautiful detail and imagination. They inspire me most to do what I do. I also admire George Hurrell the Famous Hollywood Photographer, whose images I am constantly delving into for inspiration. Painter Edward Hopper, for his use of light, colour and narrative style. In the traditional sense, I fell in Love with JMW Turner as I was developing my love of Art, for so many reasons. The Pre Raphaelite Artists also had a large impact on me while I was starting out…Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era!

Which exhibition that you have visited made the greatest impact on you and why?

I think the biggest impact an exhibition has made on me was Faces in the Crowd - Picturing Modern Life from Manet to Today at the Whitechapel Gallery in 2005. It was so diverse and really gave Perspective on the development of modern art using society and the individual as a point of reference. For me, being interested in people, the exhibition was brimming with inspiration from every era. It featured works from Man Ray, Nan Goldin, Cindy Sherman, Richter, Warhol, Bacon, Duchamp, Hopper…the list was endless. I don’t think I have ever seen so much fantastic work and talent combined together in one exhibition. I went away from it feeling truly inspired.

What is the question you get asked most frequently about your work and how do you answer it?

Probably “Where have I seen that image before!?” A lot of people who see my work for the first time are reminded of pre-existing Pin-Up Images and I have to try and reassure people they are unique!

What / who inspired you to be an artist?

I really don’t know! I remember being at school in my last few years as my passion had grown for art, and wanting to go to Central Saint Martin’s to practice it every day. I was so proud when I eventually succeeded in doing Just that. I think from an early age I saw things differently, almost through different eyes wanting to create things all of the time. My first drawing at school was terrible- I didn’t even have any eyes or a nose I was just a Scribble!!! I must have just been creative even at that age!!!

Can you tell us about where you make your art and what if any the significance of this location is?

I make my art in a studio near my home where I am based every day. The location is not important to me; it’s what I bring to it. I collect costumes and wigs and period artefacts feverishly. I probably spend most of my time And money doing that! I believe that when I recreate things they should be true to their history, not only do I recreate an image but I recreate a person. I give them a personality, possessions and a history. I tell my models This before the shoot and the shoot becomes a testament to that person in that particular era.

What do you like most about being an artist?

I like that everything inspires me! I could be doing an every day job when I’ll see an item and I’ll think “wow that would be great in a shot” and from there a steady flow of ideas can develop into a photo shoot. I could Be travelling on a train and start to dream up a character and a scenario. I usually keep a book with me to jot everything down. Most of all I like that I never feel stagnant or resentful in my every day life, and that If something isn’t working out right now, it can always change tomorrow, I have no restraints on my creativity.

What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?

My greatest achievement so far was reading a review of my work in The Sunday Times CULTURE magazine :"Younger guns at DegreeArt.com include Catherine Dwyer Harvey, whose series reclaiming the 1940s/1950s pin-up is both right-on and sexy. Try Hammered, a Rosie the Riveter-does-DIY "  Even though there was no picture and it was only a few lines out of the whole article, I had a grin from ear to ear. Reading that and also hearing people comment on the work in such a positive way and enjoying it - even seeing it come alive in peoples homes. Its been amazing.

What are your plans for the coming year?

This year for me is about making a new Pin-Up series. For the first time I am working with a new model, It''s an exciting project which has been almost a year in planning. The work will be centred around the theme of Beauty and the Beast- a Pin-Up/Animal collaboration. Beautiful Parrots, playful puppies and naughty cats featured frequently in the Pin-Up genre and  I hope to bring that British love of All Creatures Great and Small into a fantastic collection of images. Stay tuned!.....