Meet the Artist | Interview with Joy Hawkridge | DegreeArt.com The Original Online Art Gallery

Meet the Artist | Interview with Joy Hawkridge

Joy Hawkridge is a self taught abstract artist whose passion for art started at an early age. Born in Germany to English and German parents, raised in South Africa and now based in London. Her love for travel and nature play a huge roll in inspiring her work. Joy uses texture and colour to bring emotion and feeling into her large abstract art pieces. The use of muted natural tones give tranquility and calmness to a lot of Joys artwork. Still, she doesn’t shy away from the bright playful colours that shout excitement. Joy takes influence and encouragement from the great artists of the 20th century such as Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Dali, Pollock, Ducamp and Warhol. Art is a never ending learning experience that Joy thrives on.

1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?

Abstract Expressionism, Tonalism and Impressionism.
 
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
 
I create art anywhere I have the opportunity, ideally in a sunny studio, listening to music.
 
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
 
I’m inspired by nature and the elements, travelling gets my creative energy flowing and I paint from memory and imagination, once I start a project I work flat out until I’m finished, the art piece can change a number of times before I’m finished and happy with it.
 
 
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
 
Claude Monet, Jackson Pollock, Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso, Andy Worhol, Hans Hofmann Gustav Klimt.
 
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
 
Interior Designer, Hairdresser, Musician.
 
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
 
Music would probably be my second and most important inspiration, I love every type of music except country/folk and heavy metal. at the moment I ‘m listening to Milky Chance, Disclosure, Hans Zimmerman, Goldfish and London Grammar.
 
 
7) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
 
Gustav Klimt ‘The Kiss’ or anything from Claude Monet, I love the great impressionists.
 
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
 
The Other Art Fair and Tate Modern London.
 
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
 
Don’t ever give up on your dream, its never too late to start.
 
 
10) What is your favorite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
 
‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho.
 
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non traditional art setting, where would that be?
 
Heathrow Airport.
 
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
 
I didn’t go to university but all my art courses over the years have taught me to STAY FOCUSED! Don’t compare yourself to others, and always be open to new ideas and opportunities.
 
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
 
Living my dream of becoming a recognised artist, having done a few solo exhibitions around the world, and flourishing as an artist in my studio in Barcelona or another hot country.
 
 
 

Learn more about Joy and discover her collection of paintings. 

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