Q&A with Hertfordshire Artist, Anna Fearon

Monet, the Hertfordshire countryside, and why charity shops are an artists best friend

Just for fun I thought I would do a question and answer, so you can get to know me and my art better. Here goes…

How did you get into art?

I have always been very creative and imaginative since a young age. I hated Maths and other subjects which required me to sit still in a chair and listen. Art with all its colours and materials opened up possibilities, however it wasn’t until GCSE art that I fully immersed myself in the art world and connected with art. I had a brilliant teacher that told us about the old masters and introduced us to oils and life drawing. I quickly realised that I was actually good at art and enjoyed everything about it. I was going to do an Art Foundation year but felt that I needed to do something academic, so I studied History of Art alongside History at the University of Birmingham.

How do you describe your art?

It is Contemporary Impressionism - I am all about colour, layering and capturing the essence of something. Monet is a big influence on my work. I paint landscapes en plein air like the Impressionists did and I love painting still life scenes of fruit, flowers and antiques. My landscape work is about celebrating imperfect landscapes - the English countryside in all its rugged and untamed glory and my still life scenes are about storytelling.

Where do you live?

I live in Hitchin in Hertfordshire. I’m not actually from Hertfordshire - I grew up in Hampshire and went to school in Berkshire. Living in the countryside there was plenty of sources of inspiration for landscape paintings. I’m lucky in that, although Hitchin is a town - the countryside is still within easy walking reach. I’ve painted many famous Hitchin landscapes since moving here - from Oughtonhead Common to Priory Fields in Gosmore.

How do you overcome creative blocks?

The best way to overcome a creative block is to accept it and sit with it and realise that it will pass. Sometimes just going for a walk and noticing something in nature you haven’t spotted before is a way to waken up the mind. I also think that drawing, no matter how terrible the drawing is, is essential.

I also recommend fitness, in particular yoga. There’s been a few occasions where I’ve felt stuck on a painting, gone to a yoga class and then come back with such a positive mindset that is ready to overcome any art challenges. I also like going to Draw More, which is a monthly art class in Hitchin - if I feel creatively blocked in any way, spending time drawing random objects with other artists shakes the cobwebs away.

Favourite art medium and why?

Definitely oils because all the great masters used them. I remember my first time using them, I felt so sophisticated and like a proper artist. I love everything about them - the slow drying time, the thickness and even the skins that form when big blobs of paint have sat on my palette for a while.

Who are your favourite artists?

I have quite a few for different reasons. There’s lots of artists I admire but they don’t necessarily influence my work. Some of my favourites include Monet, Constable and Turner. Monet for his vivid palettes and layering technique, Constable for celebrating the British countryside and Turner for the sense of drama and expressiveness in his work.

What do you do at weekends?

It really varies - if I’m having a chilled weekend then it’ll be a few walks in the Hertfordshire countryside near me, some reading (I’m a big Jane Austen fan) or a coffee in my local Hitchin coffee haunt, Hermitage Rd. Or I’ll be making use of my English Heritage and National Trust passes by visiting a local landmark.

Best tip for budding artists

Source items from charity shops, I’ve been doing that since GCSE art. When you’re honing your craft, you need plenty of inspiration to perfect your drawing skills. Objects to study and draw don’t come cheap, therefore I’d highly recommend sourcing objects from your local charity shop - you can easily get several items for under £10. In fact, I still do this now and consider charity shops my second home!

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Instagram: @annafearonart

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