Who or What are the main influences on your work and artistic practise?
Folklore and wildlife inspire me.. I love the happy freedom of Picasso's art and the colours of klee and Klimt.
Describe your process of creating a piece?
I have over 200 paintings on the go at once. Every morning I like to choose about 10 to work on... This way I come to each painting with a fresh idea the paintings slowly progress till I feel they are finished this can take one hour or over a year.
What kind of materials you use for your art? I use acrylic on canvas generally. But I do not stick to any particular medium.. I like charcoal and oils and inks.
When did you first become interested in art? I have always loved painting.. I was at school when dyslexia wasn't understood, my teacher couldn't teach me to read or write so she let me paint instead. Art was my first language.
What jobs have you had other than being an artist?
I’ve taught teenagers who were excluded from society. I have also worked along side the mentally ill.
Describe a real-life situation that inspired you? Strangely my cat inspires me... All my animal paintings have subplots and stories.. My cat Dr Socks can be lovely but is just as likely to be holding a grudge about something. I'm forever making up stories in my head and giving the animals I paint personalities.
How has your artistic practice change over time? I don't think my work has changed fundamentally. I still swap and change mediums. I think my paintings are more open and colourful and happy now.
What is intergral to the work of an artist? That they stay focused on why they paint. It is a path full of self doubt. I paint for enjoyment not financial gain recognition self improvement or to create a masterpiece .. If I am exited to paint everyday then I know I am doing what I set out to do.
What is your dream project? I don't have a big dream project.. But I would like to work alongside mentally ill artists and document how painting and colours helps or hinders them.
What advice would you give any aspiring artists out there? Just start painting!
Anna Fitzgerald is currently exhibiting her work at Gordelia Gallery, 5 Cross lane, Sidmouth, Devon. For more information call 01395 576918