Interview with Cornwall artist Ness Lannen

What inspires you? Since moving to Cornwall I’ve been trying to embrace more of my other loves like surfing, reading, walking and art! After attending one of local artist’s Ness Lannen’s coastal sketching and painting workshops I was hooked! Check out my interview with Ness on how to develop your creativity.

Welcome Ness! Please tell us about yourself, your beautiful art and your life in Cornwall.

I have lived in Cornwall since 1998 and trained as a surface pattern and textile designer before completing a degree in Fine Art. My work explores emotional response to landscape, I paint land sea and sky scapes are using fluid acrylic and chalk pastel, application is with both airbrush and dry brush. My work follows closely the processes involved in printmaking; the images are flat and mostly devoid of texture. With the exception of Paynes grey, only primary colours and white are used and the paint is applied in layers, allowing colour to build on the canvas.

What inspires you creatively?

I find inspiration it lots of things, I might hear something on the radio or read something in a book that gets me thinking about my experiences in a different way. I think we respond emotionally to our surroundings, and a land or seascape can represent, contain and produce many and varied emotions within us. We know that a storm is just a storm, but images representing these things can provide the most profound metaphors. I find that the North Cornish coast provides me with a endless amount of imagery, I always have a camera or sketch book with me, even when I’m out paddle boarding or rowing.

What advice would you give someone struggling to pick up the pen or paintbrush?!

What advice would I give? A blank canvas or an empty page in a sketchbook still produces a cocktail of emotions in me, excitement and anxiety, so I know how hard it can be to make a start. To produce art work that embodies thoughts and feelings and confronts emotions involves taking risks. I would advise you to accept the risk and be brave, don’t worry about the image just start to make a mark.

How can a person “grow” as an artist?

I believe that through image making the inexpressible and unspeakable can be given form, allowing emotions to be recognised and that it is this confrontation that grows us. Technically your work will Improve the more you do, I’m definitely still growing!

For more information about Ness Lannen, her work and offerings please visit her website.  Ness’ paintings are displayed at Whitewater gallery Polzeath and her Jewellery is stocked at Wave 7 gallery.

Alongside her paintings, sketches (Ness always has a sketchbook) and sterling silver jewellery, Ness also runs a variety of workshops throughout the year including sketching on the coast path, jewellery and wedding ring making.