Sue Jelley
Pure interviews artist Sue Jelley…
Please describe your practice for us in 3 adjectives.
Shape, shade and movement
What is your earliest memory associated with art?
Art Classes at School
Please could you tell us who or what has had the most significant influence on your life and work?
Ken Paine PS
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
The ability to create
And the worst..!?
Nothing really
When we can travel again, what international art destination would you most like to visit?
Guggenheim Bilbao
Which work of art would you most like to own?
La Pie by Monet. Saw this at the Musee d’Orsay.
Which artist (alive or dead) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Matisse. To explore his vision of art as a post impressionist. An innovative and exciting artist who most if any can not copy. For me he is the only artist that can pare back the details to reveal a refreshing and natural piece of work. Even Picasso was in awe of his brilliant use of colour.
What is the most significant piece of advice you have ever received?
Don’t be too precious about your work and know when to stop.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to make a living out of selling their art?
Be realistic, as it is not easy. Good Agents can help and the ability to back up through teaching and other related subjects can help considerably. Don’t forget you are selling a luxury product and it has to be right and properly framed.
What is the most important thing to know about you?
How seriously I take me work.
Please tell us one unexpected thing about yourself.
I can be quite impatient, like things to be done yesterday! In the studio I have infinite patience and sometimes relish the isolation although for not too long!
Final words...
We need Education, Education, Education; good art teachers are always important. We all need to learn the rules and only then can we break them!
I came to Art later in life during my early 40’s.
At my grammar school I did art for two years and got awards but then because of streaming to the classics etc there was then no facility to carry on with art as there would be now. I went to commercial college in Bristol and worked in industry for ten years. It was only when my Mother reminded me that I could draw that I questioned ‘ really could I’. So I did some sketching and as they say the rest is history.
Generally I am painting movement, passion; something that is atmospheric and I am inviting the viewer to take part in my ‘production’.
I love meeting clients, buyers and visitors alike. As an artist you ‘feed’ off them and always need to listen hard to what they say. Many are nervous and often say ‘I know nothing about art’ they are also nervous about spending money on the right thing. I do think sometimes people are overawed by the whole PV thing and the ‘fashion vibes’ that the art movement has become known for over the years. From experience most people I have met know exactly what they like and generally it is the untrained eye that knows best! Then, of course, there is the conundrum of those who spend millions on paintings for investment purposes. Hey Ho what a colourful tapestry Art itself has become and sadly in some instances a parody of itself.