JEMMA’S TIPS ON MAKING IT AS A FULL-TIME ARTIST

MISTAKES

Don’t be afraid of making mistakes when painting. Often the mistakes take you down a path that leads to something quite exciting. Things can appear and a painting takes on a life of its own. Painting can be very spiritual in that way.

TRAVEL

New places inspire new ideas. If I am in a creative rut, I try to go somewhere different, whether it’s abroad or just to stay with a friend in a different place. A change is as good as a rest and allows the energy to flow freely and unlock new ideas.

DON’T PAINT FOR OTHERS

Paint what you love or what moves you. In that way the work will always be honest. Honesty is compelling in art, it’s what draws people in. Even when I do a commission, I am painting for others but within that framework I try to look for the thing that excites me. I make it personal to me, and through that I think it becomes personal to everyone else. ▫