Elaine Almond
Please can you tell us about your background and upbringing?
I grew up in south east London after the War. My parents were poor, they had been bombed out, but were determined to give me what they could. Dad was quite creative: he could do any job in the house. He learned architectural drawing, made furniture and gardened, as well as working in admin/accountancy as he had significant health issues. My mum sewed and cared for the home.
I went to Grammar School in Westminster, and my first job was in pensions but I left that to do nursing at Barts in London.
Did you make art as a child?
I loved it: mum kept a couple of clay pieces I made and I still have! I wanted to study art at O level but was stopped by my father who wanted me to go to university, which I didn’t do then - I studied later up to Masters level.
What is your earliest memory associated with art?
I can still see the teacher in the art dept at grammar school and a big painting I was doing at the time - before I stopped!
Please could you tell us who or what has had the most significant influence on you as an artist.
Personally: Caroline Hulse FRSA, a wonderful artist based at Mapledurham on the Oxfordshire border, her mantra is to bring out the artists in you. I went there as a total beginner for a weekend and I went back much later for the journey into abstraction. Caroline encouraged me to exhibit and enter a national competition - a game changer for me, but others have helped of course.
From the wider art world: I am in awe of Vermeer, and Rembrandts portraits showing the emotions in the faces. Turner, Monet and the Impressionists for colour and light and changing the face of art. Abstract Expressionism - looking at the freedom of form and use of colour.
Whilst I find Rothko’s paintings difficult to contemplate, I relate to his comment about expressing emotion through art rather than illustrating it - realising that opened things up for me – I hate doing tight illustration!
Kandinsky for the development of abstraction and his consciously spiritual dimension to art.
I worked in Peru years ago and love cultural art from the Inca and Moche dynasties -primitive and yet sophisticated.
Please describe your practice for us in 3 adjectives
Expressive
Colourful
Reflective
What is your artist muse? Your inspiration.
Nature, life experience and faith.
What motivates you?
Internal pressure to create, to make mental space for reflection and processing too.
Please can you talk to us in detail about one piece of artwork.
Out of the Darkness 1 - currently hanging at Bannatyne Hotel & Spa – was painted in response to a difficult situation.
I was full of emotion and painted my way out of it with 4 paintings - ideas came to me at 3am and I worked through 2 full days until they were done. The turbulence and anger are showing red, with streaks of yellow (always hope) and a reaching for light.
I felt hugely relieved after!
Please could you tell us about the piece of artwork you are most proud of, and why.
It’s on my lounge wall: Called ‘A Slice of Life 1’, it details episodes from my life. It was shortlisted in the National Open Art Competition in 2017. It didn’t make the final but I felt as if I had won and realised I can paint! I was encouraged to exhibit more after that.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Joy of working and freedom to do it.
And the worst..!?
All the admin and marketing, though parts of that are becoming easier to do.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to make a living out of art?
You have to keep going: I will let you know when I get there!!
What is the most important thing to know about you?
Integrity & determination
Please tell us one unexpected thing about yourself.
Hard because I don’t know what people expect always –
I love paella - cook it well and still speak reasonably fluent Latin American Spanish