Nicola Keelan - Speedyegg Art - Interview
1) How long have you been making art?
I’ve painted on and off as a hobby since my school days. In 2012 I thought I’d see what would happen if I tried to sell a painting and I literally haven’t looked back since with commissions and inspiration keeping me very busy. I haven’t been to art school and I work full time for the NHS as an Occupational Therapist. Painting has however, happily seeped into most areas of my life, from the weekends and evenings spent beavering in my studio to the spare canvases stuffed into my spare room and smears of oil paint in random places around my home.
2) What genre best describes the kind of art which you create?
I revel in recreating detail, depth and movement so I aspire to the realism and photorealism genres. This also means however, that I’m shackled to my easel for hours and hours, sending myself cross-eyed recreating tiny details on some quite big paintings. For me, seeing the detail emerging on the canvas is the best reward for the time (and eyesight) dedicated to the task.
3) How has your artwork evolved since you began?
I think that since I started seriously painting in 2012 I have become more confident in trying to recreate more and more complex images that involve greater degrees of movement and perspective.
4) Is there a medium or technique that you have yet to try but would like to?
I’ve tried most mediums over the years but prior to 2012 I hadn’t tried my hand at oil paints, I’ve grown to love them but I’m sure I’ve lots more to learn about their use and versatility.
5) What would your ideal solo exhibition be like and where would it be held?
I love my home city of London, and the idea of having my paintings displayed in any public London space is frankly awesome and inspirational.
6) What do you like most about the art world?
Through social medial I’ve uncovered a hive of active artists around the world sharing their own amazing work and supporting each other, and I think that is truly humbling and inspirational.
7) Which artists either historically or current, have influenced you the most?
OH! So many!!
First up illustrators like Sylvia Van Ommen and Simon Tofield who recreate cheeky every day humour with simple line drawings with resultant hilarity.
Contemporary photorealism artists like Nathan Walsh, Robert Neffson and Evgeny Lushpin, whose paintings are frankly stunning.
Finally I love the use of colour by masters like Lowry and Monet to depict the feeling and atmosphere of an image.
8) What is your favourite painting/artwork?
OH! There’s just too many inspirational paintings to pick one or even several as top favourites. What I can say though, is that I don’t really like modern abstract art. This is probably because I don’t really understand it, which is clearly my problem rather than a problem with the art style itself.
9) Where did you sell your first artwork and how did it feel?
I sold my first painting on-line and it felt surprising but amazing. The thought of another person wanting to display something I’ve painted stuns me every time I make a sale. The first painting I sold at an exhibition also floored me; having the chance to receive face to face feedback from a customer is both humbling and amazing.
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair in March 2014?
I’m working on a new and very large Paris scene. I’m using a friend’s photograph and it is a view across the roof tops from the top of the Notre Dame, so lots and lots of detail and depth keeping me very busy. I’m also hoping to do a new seascape and maybe one of my trademark hares.
I’ve painted on and off as a hobby since my school days. In 2012 I thought I’d see what would happen if I tried to sell a painting and I literally haven’t looked back since with commissions and inspiration keeping me very busy. I haven’t been to art school and I work full time for the NHS as an Occupational Therapist. Painting has however, happily seeped into most areas of my life, from the weekends and evenings spent beavering in my studio to the spare canvases stuffed into my spare room and smears of oil paint in random places around my home.
2) What genre best describes the kind of art which you create?
I revel in recreating detail, depth and movement so I aspire to the realism and photorealism genres. This also means however, that I’m shackled to my easel for hours and hours, sending myself cross-eyed recreating tiny details on some quite big paintings. For me, seeing the detail emerging on the canvas is the best reward for the time (and eyesight) dedicated to the task.
3) How has your artwork evolved since you began?
I think that since I started seriously painting in 2012 I have become more confident in trying to recreate more and more complex images that involve greater degrees of movement and perspective.
4) Is there a medium or technique that you have yet to try but would like to?
I’ve tried most mediums over the years but prior to 2012 I hadn’t tried my hand at oil paints, I’ve grown to love them but I’m sure I’ve lots more to learn about their use and versatility.
5) What would your ideal solo exhibition be like and where would it be held?
I love my home city of London, and the idea of having my paintings displayed in any public London space is frankly awesome and inspirational.
6) What do you like most about the art world?
Through social medial I’ve uncovered a hive of active artists around the world sharing their own amazing work and supporting each other, and I think that is truly humbling and inspirational.
7) Which artists either historically or current, have influenced you the most?
OH! So many!!
First up illustrators like Sylvia Van Ommen and Simon Tofield who recreate cheeky every day humour with simple line drawings with resultant hilarity.
Contemporary photorealism artists like Nathan Walsh, Robert Neffson and Evgeny Lushpin, whose paintings are frankly stunning.
Finally I love the use of colour by masters like Lowry and Monet to depict the feeling and atmosphere of an image.
8) What is your favourite painting/artwork?
OH! There’s just too many inspirational paintings to pick one or even several as top favourites. What I can say though, is that I don’t really like modern abstract art. This is probably because I don’t really understand it, which is clearly my problem rather than a problem with the art style itself.
9) Where did you sell your first artwork and how did it feel?
I sold my first painting on-line and it felt surprising but amazing. The thought of another person wanting to display something I’ve painted stuns me every time I make a sale. The first painting I sold at an exhibition also floored me; having the chance to receive face to face feedback from a customer is both humbling and amazing.
10) What are you planning to exhibit at the New Artist Fair in March 2014?
I’m working on a new and very large Paris scene. I’m using a friend’s photograph and it is a view across the roof tops from the top of the Notre Dame, so lots and lots of detail and depth keeping me very busy. I’m also hoping to do a new seascape and maybe one of my trademark hares.
