At Tree Shepherd we work with a great number of artists and creatives who use our spaces to do just that – create.
We’re regularly blown away by the drive and determination that many of the artists in our community possess, and thought that it was important that we highlight their efforts and bring their talents to our wider community.
With this in mind, this month with our interview series we decided to do something a little different.
We have a community member at GLOWS who’s work brings joy and brightness to everyone who sees it, and we wanted to share her work with you.
We do have a favour to ask – once you’ve read the article why not go and follow B, share her account with your fields and community AND, if you love her work as much as we do why not buy a piece. You’re not only supporting a small independent creative, you’re also gaining a stunning piece of art that you will have to cherish for years to come. Everyone’s a winner!
Without further ado, we’ve handed over this month’s interview series to Bay and have asked her to tell us a bit about her and the difference art has made to her life-
Over to B!
I’m an abstract mixed media collage artist with an MA in visual communication award which feels like a long time ago! I’ve always done evening classes in art over the years since I moved to London- from the Mary Ward centre to City Lit. Art classes used to be affordable for those of us on a low income. It’s not like that anymore unfortunately.
For me, art is a way of relaxing. I find it joyful and therapeutic. I never trained in fine art but I don’t let that stop me. In fact, I really only started to call myself an artist a few years ago.
Artists learn in different ways and I don’t think as an artist you really ever stop learning or evolving, and I carry on now learning online (at my own pace) as an artist. Something that in my opinion makes me even more confident in my skills and talents.
I really love doing art and believe in the benefit of the practice of it- and I very much enjoy sharing my love of art and I’m thankful that living where I live has given me some options to do just that.
I volunteer as an after school art teacher in Brixton at the Baytree centre once a week which is an amazing place.
For a long time my bed or the floor provided my work space when I had a bit of energy due to my ill health. Little by little a finished canvas would appear…and it would give me a sense of purpose and a drive to do even more.
Not being able to go to work 9 to 5 in a job I truly loved due to my health, or have a family life took a big toll on me…but over the years I’ve realised that if I had been able to have a job and children that maybe my life would be different, but maybe not in a good way.
My reality is MY lived experience. It’s shaped me and my art. It’s given me the time to think, to look, to experiment, to create and achieve in my very small way what I have achieved in my art.
I can’t be an entrepreneur in the usual sense of the word for health reasons, but Glows has given me the space, opportunity and support that was otherwise unavailable to me. The wonderful thing to me is that Glows gives me desk space at a not completely crazy and unobtainable price…where I can be productive and create in a friendly, supportive and safe space. Magdalen is really supportive and loving to us all at Glows..My second amazing place to be.
My dream is to have my own art studio at Glows ( even collage papers take a lot of space! ), to be financially independent thanks to my art and known all over the world… I’m working on it!
I think one of my favourite parts of being an artist is the little joy you get from little things in life, the sight of a cute kitty, a lovely shape on the pavement or 2 beautiful colour combinations you did not think of before..
I’m exceedingly proud that this year one of my works was selected at the Blog and Bugle yearly art show and competition at the Brixton library. Art for many artists is a personal exercise, a way of expressing ourselves and we do it because we love it and not for the recognition necessarily. Whilst this is true, to have one’s work recognised is nonetheless something that brings an added level of satisfaction. To have been chosen out of a group of outstanding submissions feeds my desire to keep being true to my art and creating.
You can find me on instagram @bayday_artist
