In your own words, how would you describe your creative work?

I’m an artist writer and performer, as an artist I work in collage drawing and painting, inspired by the nature world, I also love to write about my experiences in nature and perform them at open mics

When did you first discover your passion for art/writing/photography?

I think creativity runs through me. Over the years its been developing, you never really know what’s inside you until you give things a go. 

I started art classes at adult education. It was so exciting every week going along and trying out new ways of working, then I went to Rochester and did an Access course in art this was even more exciting ! After this I fell in love with collage, ripping up climbing magazines and making landscapes of my local area, the Marshes in Higham (more excitement). I had this crazy idea I wanted to be an artist!

Since then I’ve developed my sketching, drawing, painting and brought my love of writing into my practice so I’m an artist and writer!

Creativity never stops and its never too late to start.

What's the creative process?

I enjoy working in many different mediums. Sketching loosely with charcoal is fun while drawing birds takes a lot of looking and accuracy.

When working in collage it’s messy and I have to build up layers, keep standing back and getting a sense of it until its right.

Once I get an idea for a piece of writing I will research and play around with words putting them together until it flows and I build a picture in words.

What does a typical day look like to you?

The early morning is my time of day, pottering in the gardening, cooking or going swimming. Often while swimming I get ideas. I volunteer for the RSPB working in woods or marshes

What have you learned most about yourself in recent times?

Don’t stop yourself. If you have a dream make into a reality how ever small it may be. Life is short.

Do you have any wisdom you can share with others who are thinking of launching a creative business?

Any business is tough to start, especially art I always had a main job and art ran alongside that. I built it up slowly getting to know people along the way. Networking is really important. Don’t give up

What is on your mind right now?

I have just published my first poetry book ‘Spiral Bound’ so I’m working on getting it out there and performing at open mic nights. I have been collaborating with a musician David Bowdler, putting poetry and music together. I really love this and want to do more.

‘Barn Owl Magic’ - this is a new project about our local Barn Owl. It’s taking the form of a diary/journal of sightings, writing poetry, sketching, collaging and learning about them, the conservation of them and where they live.

Radio podcasts - I’d like to get into! 

That’s enough to be getting on with!.

Links

If you would like a book please go to my website www.fionaspirals.co.uk