Thirteen Questions From Organ. The idea is simple, an ongoing series of thirteen questions sent out to people who’s creativity we’re rather admiring and enjoying at the moment – artists, musicians, film makers, mostly artists and who knows who? Today, ahead of the Leytonstone Arts Trail, and his own show that’s part of this year’s trail, the questions are answered by artist Carne Griffiths…

1: WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DO YOU DO?

I am a fine artist and illustrator with a background in embroidery design, I love portraiture and I love nature and combining the two.

2: WHERE ARE YOU TODAY? WHERE ARE YOU MOST DAYS?

Today I’m painting from home, just outside of Seddlescombe – not far from Hastings – I’m starting a piece that will be finished as part of the Henley Festival, it is a large canvas – something relatively new for me. Most days I am painting either at the home or at the studio which is in Leyton, East London, my time is divided between the two depending on work / family commitments.

3: WHO OR WHAT IS EXCITING YOU RIGHT NOW?

Right now I am excited about the Leytonstone Arts Trail, even though we moved out of the area a few years I still have a strong connection to the area – there is a wonderful sense of community and the arts rail captures that perfectly. Admittedly this year I am a little behind with promotions but I have arranged an exhibition whereby artists from any background can bring along a piece of work to hang at Norlington Road Studios and join in with the trail. The hang is this Saturday 1st of July all day.

4: WHY DO YOU MAKE ART?

I’m passionate about lots of things but drawing and art in general seems to bring all those things together for me, I feel at home and yet at the same time that I need to challenge myself and push what I can do. I have been working as a full time artist for nearly 7 years now, to be honest I can’t imagine it any other way.

5: HOW DO YOU WORK?

Most of my paintings are sparked by a piece of portraiture or an image that will be the lead for a piece… I work feverishly, never really taking more than a few days to create a work. I embrace chance and accidents and try to take as many risks as possible with the painting,

6: TELL US ABOUT THE ART YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?

I feel I identify strongly with early surrealism, early abstract painters and some street art sensibilities

7: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR OWN WORK?

I love the bits that I have no control of – the chaos – the spills – the accidents – I think it’s okay to admire these qualities in your own work because you can appreciate that there is something else at work.

8: WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR OWN WORK?

the inability to let go and the control – a successful piece of work will feel fresh and light – it will be efficient in it’s mark making, I dislike my paintings that are laboured and too pensive

9: WHAT HAS BEEN THE HAPPIEST MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE SO FAR?

becoming a father, We have 2 wonderful children and watching them grow and become personalities is fascinating and enriching. I feel very fortunate to do what I do and to have what I have.

10: WHAT MAKES YOU ANGRY?

Injustice, among other things, but injustice is the one that makes me stand up shouting angry.

11: WHICH SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?

I’d love to fly – I dreamt about it so much as a child, I think maybe we once flew or have some inherent memory of flying, either that or to control time although the consequences of that would cause me too much stress! I’ll stick to flying.

12: WHAT COULDN’T YOU DO WITHOUT?

Probably tea….

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13: WHAT IS IT ABOUT TEA ANYWAY?

Ha .. yeah the tea thing.. it’s the one innocuous thing I did that had a huge influence on your work for years to come! I dipped a brush in brandy to experiment with whilst painting – I liked the effect – I used tea as a substitute and found that it enabled me to paint.. it changed the way I saw colour and helped my confidence using colour and paint. and of course there was the fact that it made a story – that wasn’t intentional but people like to write about the unusual.. but is it really that strange.. I mean it’s really just a colour or a liquid.. it’s been used for years. I admit I probably ham it up a bit now but I would like people to judge the work on merit alone – on it’s ability to stir a reaction or emotion.. I’ll drink to that!

Don’t forget the Leytonstone Arts Trail runs from the 1st July to the 9th July
I will be organising an on the day group hang at Norlington – Bring along artwork from 10pm to 3pm and we will hang it! (the event is called The Little Big E10 Art Fair, and details can be found on Facebook) This work will be shown throughout the trail.
Address is 66 Norlington Road, Leyton E10 6LA

Explore more via www.carnegriffiths.com / The Little Big E10 Art Fair / Leytonstone Arts Trail

 

 

More about the Little Big fair and how artists can get involved down underneath the flyer…

Calling All Artists
Norlington Road Studios opens it’s doors and lengthy corridors for yet another bring along pop up art bonanza. over 200 metres of wall space are available for artists to come and hang, sell work and collaborate as part of this years Leytonstone Arts Trail Just turn up Hang and help us raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Please read below for essential information and FAQ’s

How do I join in
If you are an artist looking to show work, just come along to the studios at 66 Norlington Road E10 6LA on Saturday the first of July before 3pm with your artwork a hammer and some nails to hang your work.

How much work can I bring
As much as you like – we have lots of space and will be prepping the walls the day before the Saturday hang – white emulsion and helpers gratefully received!

How much does it cost
Entry to show your work is free but we ask that you bring along a bottle of wine in the morning to help the evening event flow!

Should I price my work
Please write the price of your work on the reverse of your piece, alongwith the percentage you would like to donate to Great Ormond Street Hospital, there will be facilities to process card payments on the night.

Can I send in work
Unfortunately not. The exhibition is reliant on artists collaborating meeting up and hanging their own work, we will keep a careful eye on all pieces hung but everything is hung in the common parts of the studio at your own risk.

How long is the exhibition running.
The work will be on show for the duration of the Leytonstone Arts Trail, with a late viewing on Thursday the 6th July.

Can I invite Friends
Yes! the more the merrier – this is an exhibition to meet new artists and to connect to more creatives in the area and beyond, we hope to fill the whole of the studios with work as we have done in the past.

How can I help promote
Please shre this event and help keep it interesting by posting your artwork on the event page – the more information we have on here the more exciting and attractive the event will become!

How else can I get involved if I don’t make art?
The more people coming along helping and advertising the event the better and especially those who can support the artists involved by buying work! If you’d like to set up a stall or have any other ideas that will help just shout out on the event page.. if you’d like to help admin the page and get the work out just let me know and I’ll add you in too 🙂