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What is your favourite film of all time?

I don't really have one in particular, but Wez Anderson films are high on the list, especially The Darjeeling Ltd. It's really beautifully shot and makes you want to go to India.

What music are you currently listening to and why?

Anna Calvi because I love her voice, The Darwin Deez because I saw them at Bestival and became obsessed! Wild Beasts because I saw them at Bestival and became obsessed! James Blake because I LOVE him, Everything Everything because I like their sound, The naked and famous because their songs are so upbeat, and then I constantly listen to the Walkmen, the xx, Florence & the machine, and sometimes a bit of classical!!!

Which living artists do you most admire and why?

I admire Levi Van Veluw because I love his pictures, his inovative way of making himself into a piece of art, and because its a bit different!

 

I massively admire and take a lot of inspiration from Frank Auerbach because I find his portraits really interesting, tactile, and like no other paintings. I like that he can make a really recogniseable face out of a few big brush strokes.

 

I admire Lucian Freud for his amazing portraits. I like them because they're really painterly, capture people perfectly, and use a lot of white; making them really bright. 

Which deceased artist do you most admire and why?

I really admire Andy Warhol, who really has nothing to do with my practice but who I admire anyway because of his ground breaking, movement making work. I think he really changed art, and inspired a whole culture with it.

 

I also admire Francis Bacon because his portraits are so engaging and different to anything else. I know they're meant to be really quite violent images, but I don't see that in his portraits, I just see movement and colours, and shapes that all depict a person. I love them.  

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

I always remember going to the saatchi gallery when I was doing my art foundation and seeing Richard Wilson's 20:50 Oil installation and thinking it was amazing. I think that exhibition made a massive impact on me because it made me want to be able to create things like that, things that were beautiful and interesting at the same time.

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

I always get asked two things:

1,Q. You do what?

A, Yes, you heard me correctly, I put oil paint all over my face and take photos of myself to make an image that is both painting and photography.

2, Q. How do you actually do it?

A, Well, I sometimes have an image, like an Auerbach painting, or an image with good colours in, and take my inspiration from there. Then I cover my face in vasseline (to act as a barrier) and stand infront of the mirror and paint myself. Then I stand infront of a canvas and take photos (with my remote control) then edit the photos (just croping, I don't do any other image work) and then get the photo printed, and I paint on top of it again.

What / who inspired you to be an artist?

I never aspired to be an artist, I always thought I'd do something arty but not be an artist. I always thought it was too competitive and hard to get into. But I had a lot of teachers that steered me towards Fine Art, especially my A level teacher and one on my art foundation that really pushed me and inspired me.

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

I make my work in my studio, which is a converted out house at the back of my house. I really need to be close to home when I make my work as I need to be near a shower! But also, I need to be alone and not have any interruptions whilst I'm painting myself, so couldn't be in a shared studio!

What do you like most about being an artist?

I love the feeling of fulfilment when someone wants to buy something that you'vee created. I find art very personal, and when someone loves something you've made its amazing. Thats one thing I like most about being an artist, but I also love having the freedom to do whatever you want!

What is your greatest achievement as an artist to date?

Probably being nominated for the Boundary gallery prize for figurative Art while I was in my third year, and getting to the finals of the competition.

What are your plans for the coming year?

I want to make some different works within the concept of painting my body. I want to do some more intricate painting mixed in with the more painterly style I usually use. I hope this year brings more exhibitions and competitions, and a lot more artwork.