Artist Interview: Kamaria Pryce

I'm a curious type; I like to know what informs an artist. Who or what do they look to for inspiration? How do they work? Each month I will be asking an artist I admire a few questions, this month is Kamaria Pryce.

Peace V, approx 20cm x 15cm, gouache on paper

Kam, since first discovering your work I was enchanted by your landscape paintings which have a calming and peaceful quality to them. What is it about recording the natural landscape that appeals to you? 

One of the reasons I love being out in nature, is that it evokes a sense of calm and quiet emotionally, mentally, and for me, spiritually. I think because the surroundings are so much bigger than me, it brings peace and belonging. When I paint, I try to capture that experience for the viewer and potential customer.

 

When I think of your paintings I often think of swishy blades of grass which you capture so beautifully, are small details important in your work? 

It's funny because I'm not naturally a very patient person, I like seeing results in a fairly quick timescale! In nature, there are so many details that I think oftentimes our natural eyes miss. I find when I'm painting landscapes, it forces me to slow down, be patient and take in as many of the details as I can. 

 

Strength, approx 25cm x 20cm, gouache on paper

The Waiting, approx 25cm x 20cm, gouache on paper

You work with a variety of mediums; pencil, oil pastel and gouache. Do you have a favourite medium to work with and is experimentation important to you? 

I think it's always good and important as a creative to stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone. Whether that's experimenting with different materials or creating different subject matters. It just helps you grow and not be stagnant in your gift. My favourite medium to use so far is gouache!

 

Are there other materials or ways of working that you’d like to try? 

I would absolutely love to try oil paints one day! 

 

Take us through a ‘day in the life’ - what does a typical day involve? 

At the moment I work 3 days a week when my youngest is at nursery and my eldest is at school. After I’ve done the school/nursery run I’ll get straight into painting either for a commission or a collection. I try to plan out what I’m going to paint beforehand so I can get the most out of the day! If I have admin to do, I’ll do that in the evenings after my girls have gone to bed. 

Peace IV, approx 25cm x 20cm, gouache on paper

Detail of Peace VII, approx 25cm x 20cm, gouache on paper

Did you study art or any creative subjects or are you completely self-taught? 

I haven’t had any formal art training, so I’ve been developing my skills through a lot of personal practice.

 

What artists (living or dead) inspire you?

I’ve discovered many artists on Instagram who inspire me for various reasons, some of them are: Claudia Lowry Art, Hannah Winters Art, Ronni Nicole and The Coastal Studio to name just a few!

 

The Lighthouse, approx 25cm x 20cm, gouache on paper

Tell me about your studio or creative space.

My creative space currently is my dining room table, so not at all fancy! One day of course, I would love to have my own studio space.

 

I love learning random facts about people, tell me three things about yourself. 

1.     I don’t like butter in my sandwiches, controversial I know! I would normally use a chutney instead.

2.     I’ve been to Beijing in China for a school art trip. It was an amazing opportunity, but I don’t think I would go back!

3.     I’ve just started a BSL (British Sign Language) course! It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, so I’m really happy that I’m going through it, albeit at quite a slow pace at the moment!


Finally, where can people follow your work online?

The best place to follow my art online is Instagram at: www.instgram.com/bloomhope_art or by joining my mailing list, which you can find on my website at: www.bloomhopeart.com.

Thank you so much to Kam for giving us an insight into her practice, I just love the way she captures nature in gouache, her recent sea landscapes are some of my favourites. To see more of her work please take a look at her Instagram page. Kam creates small collections of her works on paper and releases them for sale on her website, they sell out very quickly so I’d recommend joining her mailing list if you’re interested in adding one of her peaceful paintings to your art collection.

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Self Isolation Silver Linings

Last Monday I was pinged by the NHS app and told to self isolate, it was annoying timing as my partner was going to be off work for a few days and we were planning on having a few little adventures - since moving home in June we’ve been so busy with unpacking and decorating that we’ve hardly explored our new town together or spent much quality time together as a family.

I took a rapid lateral flow test which came back negative and then after sulking for a bit I decided to turn being housebound into a positive by getting my pens out.

A few weeks ago I was invited to exhibit with Chalk’s Gallery in Lymington in their exhibition Art Alchemy set to take place in September. I agreed to take part but hadn’t had the time to get started on the work to be exhibited, being told to stay at home for 10 days with my partner home to share caring for our toddler was the kick I needed to stop procrastinating.

I decided to make work inspired by landscape in the New Forest as this is where the gallery is based. I scrolled through the hundreds of photographs I have from day trips over the years and settled on some beautiful woodland scenes. I made two detailed drawings in the style of my woodland studies series, focusing on the sparkling dappled light and tiny natural details.

I’m out of isolation now and my partner is back to work so the duty of caring for our little boy is solely mine again, which means drawing is relegated to an hour at nap time if I’m lucky and evenings once he’s gone to bed. I will make two more pieces to be displayed at the gallery alongside the two ‘Brockenhurst’ drawings.

Brockenhurst I, 21cm x 14.9cm, pen on paper

Brockenhurst II, 21cm x 14.9cm, pen on paper

Brockenhurst II, 21cm x 14.9cm, pen on paper

If you enjoyed reading then please click the heart at the bottom, share or better still leave me a comment, I love reading them. ❤️