This month, we are pleased to bring you an article from one of the New English Art Club's newest members Felicity House NEAC PS (elected in 2023) in which she talks about what inspires her to paint . . .
I’ve spent my life drawing. As a child, letting my imagination spill with a pencil which Dad skillfully sharpened for me with a knife, I beavered away on rare pieces of paper, the insides of food cartons, plain endpapers of books, and behind bedroom curtains on the wonderful surface of painted wall.
Drawing with pencil, stick, chalk, or brush seemed an innate requirement for my personal expression. My developing skills were encouraged by a sound post-war education that provided time for regular painting every week and gave Art status.
Fast forward, and drawing remains fundamental to my being. Drawing and painting activate me; they are my required practice and relate me to artists of the past and colleagues today.
I grew up loving the drawings of Holbein and, later on, much admired the work of John Ward and Victor Ambrus. Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden, David Hockney, Richard Diebenkorn and Wayne Thiebaud are all heroes. The wonderful late Tom Coates was a huge contemporary influence. He noticed my artwork and encouraged me to be myself.
Perhaps my subject matter is too wide . . . figures, faces, places, the domestic scene, building facades, plein air landscapes, recording travels, architecture . . . but those are all the things I enjoy, admire, appreciate and wish to draw and paint.
As with so many artists who observe the world and notice interesting things I respond by drawing and sketchbooks are continuously filled.
Interiors
Interiors have always been a fascination. I much enjoyed responding with ink and pastel to the Poole Printmakers interior which was included in the NEAC exhibition last year. Working my way around the assortment of printing presses, drying prints on paper, rollers, working aprons, the casual kettle and milk. The spaces between as important as the objects. This workshop interior held an emotional appeal too, having spent many hours within, printmaking alongside skilled mentors.
I’m particularly fond of domestic interiors – other people’s much more than my own! There’s a fascination about arrangements of collected personal objects on a table or within a room – open drawers, kitchen preparation, furniture providing useful large compositional elements. Windows give shape to particular light which requires returning to the room at the same time for several days. Though I do try to work speedily if working at a friend’s home so as not to overstay my welcome.
Being restricted at home during lockdown provided me with the opportunity to confront my own living space – a kitchen view, a dining table, a section of a sitting room or a windowsill.
ON Becoming a Member of the NEAC
I was so excited to be elected to the New English Art Club in 2023. To be part of a society with such a talented, illustrious membership – past and present – is a real honour and I am looking forward greatly to exhibiting as a Member for the first time at the 2024 NEAC Annual Exhibition later this year.
FORTHCOMING EXHIBITIONS
- Felicity is currently exhibiting in the Pastel Society 125th Annual Exhibition at Mall Galleries until 10 February 2024
- She is holding an Open Studio event as part of Dorset Art Weeks (25 May - 9 June 2024)
- A solo exhibition 'House & Drawing' will take place at Red House Museum & Art Gallery
Christchurch. Dorset
FIND OUT MORE . . .
You can find out more about Felicity House on her NEAC artist profile, or visit her website or Instagram.
