Lucy Dalton-Dabrowska is a painter who recently graduated from Chelsea College of Arts with a BA in Fine Art. Specifically interested in portraiture, Lucy's paintings vary from exploring herself and the world around her, as well as themes of nostalgia and the human form.
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
I’ve always been drawn to German Expressionist art. I find the movement and emotion behind the brushstrokes quite inspiring – there is a playful, spontaneous spark to it that I really enjoy. The end product doesn’t feel like the goal, which I think is important when it comes to being creative.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I love painting in the comfort of my own home!
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
Generally, I create art based on what I can see in front of me or the people around me. I like to capture a moment, whether that’s through a photograph or a sketch, and these images either exist in their own right or they become more established works.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
The latest artist to really inspire me is Shona McAndrew. Her paintings were a huge influence on my degree show collection!
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
I very nearly studied Sociology at university instead of Fine Art. The reason I didn’t is because all the related jobs involve statistics, and I’m awful with numbers. Glad I dodged that one!
6) If you could own one artwork, and money was no object, which piece would you acquire?
I’d love to own Paula Rego’s Untitled No. 4, 1998. I really admire this piece and could write an essay about it!
7) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
I think having an exhibition in the Tate Britain would be quite surreal, just because I studied next to it for three years!
8) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Creating artwork for your own sake is so important. Whilst studying, I often didn’t see my own enjoyment as enough of a reason to paint or create things. This held me back so much and I wish I hadn’t had that attitude - don’t do what you think your tutors want, do what YOU want.
9) What is your favourite book of all time (fiction or non fiction)?
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. This book is just so creative – it follows two childhood best friends through all their ups and downs, bonded by their love of video games. It’s written beautifully and the characters are so detailed that you feel like they’re real people! I think it felt nostalgic to me, as my friends and I used to love playing Tomb Raider after school or The Sims at sleepovers. But you don’t have to like video games to enjoy it. I can’t recommend it enough!
10) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non-traditional art setting, where would that be?
I do a lot of drawings on the tube and bus. It would be so cool to have these displayed in a tube station!
11) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
There’s a lot of pressure for all art to have a deep meaning. But I’ve learned that anything can lead to art, and not everything has to have a rich backstory. You should do what you enjoy – if you see a tiny bit of chewing gum on the bottom of your shoe and you want to paint it, do it! Don’t let the pressure stop you.
12) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
I really have no idea. I feel like no one warns you for the shock of suddenly being in your early twenties and not having a clear plan! I hope that I will be happy, healthy, and doing something creative that I love.
Learn more about Lucy and discover her collection of paintings
