In the second of our ongoing Meet-the-Artist series, we present Guildford, England-based contemporary artist Victoria Harris:
1. How would you describe your art?
Definitely abstract, and obviously contemporary. I love using the textures and colours of nature which are constantly moving and evolving. I always pay strong attention to the light source which plays on the pieces creating mood and energy. In all of my work there is a definite depth and movement, you feel you are caught up in the piece. The textures make them come alive creating their own shadows and highlights.
Aphidnos
2. Where are you based, and does your location have any influence on your art?
I’m based in Guildford, Surrey, England. Absolutely my location has an influence on my art. We are so lucky here to be surrounded by the Surrey Hills which are renowned for their picturesque beauty. The sunsets over the downs or viewed from the Chantries woods close to my home are great sources of inspiration for me. There’s a running joke within my family that I will always have my camera out ready to take a picture of the same place I’ve photographed a thousand times before. But it’s never the same place when the colours of the season, the light and even just the time of day or varying cloud formations make the picture infinitely changeable. Prior to living in Surrey I grew up enjoying the rugged coastline in the county of Cornwall, which makes the reason for the seascapes I paint quite obvious.
3. Did you know you wanted to be an artist as a child, and did you go to art school? If not, how did your art path develop?
I always enjoyed art, especially drawing, from an early age. I completed GCSE’s and A’ Levels in art and design then followed up on my education at The Arts University, Plymouth where I crafted my skills as a graphic designer – a career which I still feel completely lucky to adore. I run my own design agency (www.lollypopdesign.co.uk) from my home town of Guildford.
Arcesilaus
4. Did anyone else greatly influence your art – for example, a relative, another artist, a particular art era or movement, or a muse?
I have always enjoyed discovering the history of art but am definitely more of a connoisseur of contemporary works. I’ve taken plenty of inspiration in the past from modern artists like Paul Kenton whose city pieces are so energetic and alive that they make me feel invigorated. I own a couple of his Giclee limited edition prints, which I treasure. I also had a teacher at A level, Mr. Wilson, who was very adept at seeing the most amazing colours in an object that I have never forgotten. It was beautiful to watch him sketching with pastels. He’d reach for a purple tone to highlight the skin, or add a touch of pink to an eye and it changed the way I have looked at colours in objects and people ever since.
5. What is your perspective on museums and galleries in 2024? Can they be improved, and if so, how? Do you have a favorite museum?
I just love the V&A – it’s the most beautiful building and they’ve really moved with the times in terms of their exhibitions, showing a lot of fashion and pop culture icons. Their DIVA exhibition a few months ago was a surprising and breathtakingly emotional journey through the stars that have been a soundtrack to my life over the decades. Over the last few years there has been the rise of immersive exhibitions which whilst fun and excitingly new at first have now been overdone I feel, and I tend to shy away from them in favour of the more ‘old school’. However, saying that these are a great way to introduce kids to art and creativity that otherwise would be potentially lost on them. I have 14 year old twin boys who have great memories of exhibitions we have visited over the years because there was an element of immersive interest that sparked their imagination.
Mopsus
6. What is your perspective on Artificial Intelligence and whether or not it can be used as a tool for artists. If it can be, how would it be used?
I’m trying to keep AI in perspective as in my graphic design world it’s possible it will change things quite a lot within the next few years and that’s slightly terrifying. I believe this is also true in Gaming and movie-making. Creative roles are potentially going to evolve a lot in the next few years and we will have to wait to see how far that goes but I’m not entirely sure it will be all good news for those carving a career in the creative industry. In terms of the type of art you’d hang on your walls – well prints can be created by AI but I’m assuming they can’t pick up a paintbrush and paint it for you. AI will allow those who are not creative to be more so and I guess that’s a positive thing. Will those who are not creative be able to print out artwork created by AI, paint over the top of it and call it their own? Why not. It’s a bit of a minefield at the moment and a bit of a waiting game to see what will happen. At the end of the day you can’t stop it happening, so it’s just about working out how to live alongside it and adapt with it.
7. Knowing it’s impossible to choose a favorite piece (it’s like having to choose a favorite child), what is one of your pieces that you absolutely love?
Haha, my favourite child will generally be the one who’s being the least annoying at the time which can change at any given moment! With my paintings I guess it depends on my mood that day or maybe it’s obvious by the ones hanging as a centrepiece in my house. I tend to favour the dark moody seascape pieces because of the contrast and vibrancy of them.
Theanos
8. Do you have a favorite artist or one you find inspiring?
As I mentioned earlier I love Paul Kenton with his energetic city pieces. But I also love an artist called Neil Nelson who I discovered on Instagram. His work is very mono which up until recently has been my style. He uses beautiful light sources to create stunning seascapes and they’re always so calming and beautiful. He has a perfect way of capturing stillness and contrast in his work.
9. How do you see your work evolving? Do you have any specific goals, or do you follow your inspiration where it leads you?
I have an exhibition coming up in the autumn locally which is asking me to create some autumnal pieces. Because of this I’ve been using more colour. I’m excited that I’ve been set this challenge as otherwise I would still be playing it safe with mono tones, which I still really love but this has taught me that I also really enjoy working in colour! I’m hoping I continue to evolve colour work now I’m not quite so scared by it.
Euphro
10. If you weren’t an artist, what would you be instead?
Well as I mentioned I’m also a Graphic Designer so I guess my career was destined to be something creative. However, saying that, there’s a small piece of me that would completely love being something super exciting and buzzy like being a city trader – just for a couple of years!
11. What is the tough thing about being an artist, and what is the great aspect of it?
The toughest thing is not knowing when you’ve finished a piece! Quite often I’ll think I’ve finished, then look back over it the next day with fresh eyes and add a bit more or change something and then wish I’d left well alone. At least if I do that as a Graphic Designer I can revert to a previous version, Painting’s not so easy to ‘control z’ from a mistake! The best thing about being an artist is being an artist! What an amazing life you have if you get to do what you absolutely love every day and get paid for it too.
Dionysophanes
12. What is your schedule as an artist… Do you work by day or night, or both, and do you work as long as you please or do you slate particular time frames for creating?
I work as an artist when I feel like I want to work as an artist – which luckily is quite often. If you’re not feeling inspired there’s no way you’ll create something you love, and if you don’t love it how can you expect anyone else to? I find it quite easy to be enthused to create my next piece by planning it in advance and imagining the colours I will use and how the finished result will look.
13. How do you market and promote your artwork or portfolio website?
I use Instagram and I have exhibitions locally, which help promote me and my platform.
Sigma
14. Do you have any exciting, heartening, disheartening, or alarming customer tales?
I recently sold a painting I’d created of a view from Pewley Downs in Guildford looking towards the Chantries. The buyer’s husband had recently died and this apparently had been his favourite spot. She was in tears (and of course, so was I!) as she showed how much it meant to her. Honestly it’s such a heartwarming thing to be able to impact someone’s life in such a beautiful positive way, I feel really lucky to be able to do that.
15. Is it sometimes tough to part with a piece you created because you put so much of yourself in it?
Yes and no, I guess it’s a bit like if you gave away a puppy – you’d miss it but you would see the joy it gave to someone else and that would make it all worthwhile.
Lysanios
16. Do you gift loved ones and friends with art, or keep those realms separate and view it strictly as a business?
Only if I think they want them! I recently produced a seascape for a friend who’d had to leave a beloved painting behind with her ex-husband when they divorced. That was a lovely piece to create because I felt like I was gifting her a new artwork to mark the start of her exciting new journey. It’s up in the hallway of her new house now and I feel really lucky to have been a part of that.
17. What do you want to tell readers about the art world?
Traditionally the creative world has been seen as ‘less important’ than many aspects of the business world. However with everyone now being so aware of mental health, it is these creatives that produce the things that help nurture wellbeing and happiness. Where would we be without musicians, culture, design and artistic beauty enriching every corner of our lives? These are the things that fulfil our lives and give us emotional connections and experiences. If anything they’re far more valuable, and what really matter in creating a full life.
Parthenopaeus
18. How did you choose the particular type of art you create over other types of art? Do you go through phases where you’ll try different mediums, sizes, styles of art or do you deep dive into the area you want to fully fathom?
I choose to paint what I love. Nature is so important to me and being physically active outside is a huge part of my life. I don’t tend to use different mediums – at least not at the moment, but never say never. However I do experiment with different sized canvases. I recently created a huge commission piece for a client which I really enjoyed doing, but straight away afterwards I had the urge to create a few smaller pieces which by comparison felt more relaxed and freer. I love the structure of a commission. You’re fulfilling the brief for a valued client and you want them to love it, so there’s always that nerve wracking yet exhilarating element when you reveal the piece. But It’s also lovely to have the flexibility to go with what you feel when creating something completely from within (and hoping others fall in love with it too once it’s for sale!)
19. Where can readers purchase your art?
Online via my website: VictoriaHarris.co.uk
20. Do you have any insightful tips for emerging artists?
As a graphic designer and an artist I would say it’s 100% worth investing in yourself. It’s always worth getting a professional to do your branding and web design if it’s something that you don’t feel confident doing yourself. Any air of professionalism you want to display will be compromised with a ‘diy’ website. It’s an investment but you’re worth it. Oh, and don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It can be scary, but what’s life without a few nerve wracking events along the way?!
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vh_contemporaryart/
