7. You say that learning takes place as you work, and I guess one continues to learn the craft even when they have been at it for years. When you're not creating art for your own ends you are teaching it at school. Is this about passing on your skills/knowledge or are you teaching these kids how to 'see'?
I would say my first objective is to teach them how to 'see.' We don't always 'see' what is actually before us as we try to render a 3-dimensional object on a 2-dimensional surface; whether it is drawing or painting. There is the tendency to draw what we 'think' is there or what we 'know' is there rather than what we can actually see. As with anything else it takes practice, practice, practice. With that being said, might I add that I believe anyone can be taught to draw or paint, given enough practice. It will come easier to some than it does to others, but yes, the skills can be taught. So the answer to both parts of the question is yes; yes it's about passing on my skills/knowledge to the students as well as teaching the kids how to 'see.'
8. Much of your work is made up of series' (the eyes, the breasts, the skulls etc), as well as individual pieces. Do you make a conscious decision to serialise a piece before you start or is it something that comes as part of the process eg. a need to expose/juxtapose the subject in different ways?
The 'series' isn't a conscious decision at all. It just comes in waves as I am working on a piece. I imagine how I can reproduce the image in so many different ways and next thing you know, a series is born. I am very fond of repetition though, and I utilize it frequently in other areas. Perhaps 'serializing' a subject is a subconscious decision I make at the beginning of my creative process. It would please Freud that many of my artistic choices are directly driven by my subconscious mind.
9. Okay, to finish off, if you could meet any one person, dead or alive, who would it be, and how would you spend your time with them?
This is by far the hardest question you have posed to me. I have given considerable thought and pondered the possibilities-----Van Gogh?--- Einstein?----Buddha?-----Stephen Hawking? While these are dignified and fascinating choices, I have made a more mundane selection----I would meet with my mother. She died a little over a year ago and I really miss her! We would spend our time together just being; just being in the presence of one another. That is probably a lame answer and most certainly not what you expected to hear. If I could only choose one individual, then it would definitely have to be Mary Francis.
