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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