Alce Harfield Interview
1) What made you decide to be an artist?
From an early age it's all I wanted to do but followed parents’ advice and did a BA(Hons) in Commercial Design. I hated designing offices and pubs and 'made' myself become my dream!
I ran 2 shops in Bristol and Bath in the 1990's selling my own work and other artists and closed the last one in 2000 to concentrate fully on my painting. I sell my work at Art Fairs all around the country. Being a professional artist lives up to my dream, I can't wait to get into the studio in the morning and get creating!
2) What genre best describes the kind of art which you create?
I'm a colourist through and through. Colour defines my work in every way!
3) How has your artwork evolved since you began?
My work is always evolving and refining. I work in an organic way and as a visual sponge anything can take my work in a new direction. Customers sometimes see a stand full of my work and are surprised that they were all painted by the same artist, so eclectic is my work.
4) You have taken part in many Art Fairs, what are your best and worst experiences?
Art fairs are great for both customer and artist. From the customer's point of view the chance to buy work direct from the artist without the constraints of a gallery (or the commission!) in a relaxed environment is definitely a plus! From the artists point of view I have complete control of what I sell, at what price and how I sell it. I get the invaluable interaction with the customer who is parting with their hard earned cash for a piece of my work, something gallery artists never get to experience.
5) How do you decide which Art Fair you are going to participate in?
I look at past events, chat to those who have exhibited and if possible converse with the organisers. I look at the logistics of unloading, parking, storage etc... as these all make the experience more relaxed for the artists especially for those of us who do the art fairs on our own.
6) What do you like most about the art world?
The variety and talent I see is breath taking.
7) Which artists either historically or current, have influenced you the most?
As a visual sponge I am influenced by everything from the colour of a cushion to a beautiful photograph. I like the work of Jake Sutton but don't tend to study anyone else too much.
8) Has social media changed your art career in any way?
The ability to reach people who haven’t heard of you through the art fairs Facebook and Twitter pages is a real bonus and something i embrace. In these days I think it is essential to market yourself as much as you can and be proactive with new technology. Something that doesn’t come naturally to those of us who are too old to be taught computers at school. It’s a steep learning curve!
9) Where did you sell your first artwork and how did it feel?
I had my first exhibition in a small cottage of an art dealer in Somerset back in 1989. The buzz was infectious and 3000 paintings later I still get that same buzz when I sell a painting.
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair in March 2014?
I am experimenting with a new 'glow in the dark ' pigment which has taken my work in a new direction and is proving to be very exciting in terms of uniqueness!
From an early age it's all I wanted to do but followed parents’ advice and did a BA(Hons) in Commercial Design. I hated designing offices and pubs and 'made' myself become my dream!
I ran 2 shops in Bristol and Bath in the 1990's selling my own work and other artists and closed the last one in 2000 to concentrate fully on my painting. I sell my work at Art Fairs all around the country. Being a professional artist lives up to my dream, I can't wait to get into the studio in the morning and get creating!
2) What genre best describes the kind of art which you create?
I'm a colourist through and through. Colour defines my work in every way!
3) How has your artwork evolved since you began?
My work is always evolving and refining. I work in an organic way and as a visual sponge anything can take my work in a new direction. Customers sometimes see a stand full of my work and are surprised that they were all painted by the same artist, so eclectic is my work.
4) You have taken part in many Art Fairs, what are your best and worst experiences?
Art fairs are great for both customer and artist. From the customer's point of view the chance to buy work direct from the artist without the constraints of a gallery (or the commission!) in a relaxed environment is definitely a plus! From the artists point of view I have complete control of what I sell, at what price and how I sell it. I get the invaluable interaction with the customer who is parting with their hard earned cash for a piece of my work, something gallery artists never get to experience.
5) How do you decide which Art Fair you are going to participate in?
I look at past events, chat to those who have exhibited and if possible converse with the organisers. I look at the logistics of unloading, parking, storage etc... as these all make the experience more relaxed for the artists especially for those of us who do the art fairs on our own.
6) What do you like most about the art world?
The variety and talent I see is breath taking.
7) Which artists either historically or current, have influenced you the most?
As a visual sponge I am influenced by everything from the colour of a cushion to a beautiful photograph. I like the work of Jake Sutton but don't tend to study anyone else too much.
8) Has social media changed your art career in any way?
The ability to reach people who haven’t heard of you through the art fairs Facebook and Twitter pages is a real bonus and something i embrace. In these days I think it is essential to market yourself as much as you can and be proactive with new technology. Something that doesn’t come naturally to those of us who are too old to be taught computers at school. It’s a steep learning curve!
9) Where did you sell your first artwork and how did it feel?
I had my first exhibition in a small cottage of an art dealer in Somerset back in 1989. The buzz was infectious and 3000 paintings later I still get that same buzz when I sell a painting.
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair in March 2014?
I am experimenting with a new 'glow in the dark ' pigment which has taken my work in a new direction and is proving to be very exciting in terms of uniqueness!