Heather Horsley Art

How would you describe your business/creative practice ? 

I am an artist who paints acrylic abstract art and covers illustrative work for clients 

 

 

Can you tell us the story behind why you started your business/practice and your journey so far 

I have been a freelance Illustrator for 34 years, mainly working in the greeting card industry and gifts and presently represented with an Agency based in Sutton on Trent. This year, however, I have started to work on personal abstract acrylic painting. I have longed to produce my own artwork and now the time is right for me. 

 

Did you study at University? If so, where did you graduate from and what course did you study? 

I graduated from the University of Derby in 2010 BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Illustration) 

 

 

If Derby student/Grad where there any University services that you found particularly useful when starting your business/practice?  

I have previously been a tenant at Banks Mills Studios(2010) where I flourished as a new Illustrator under the superb guidance and advice from all the workshops and courses available at the time. The enterprise Centre was so helpful in providing business support and networking opportunities. I left after a few years to work from home in my studio. I have continued to develop as an Illustrator at home. 

 

What do you hope that being part of the Banks Mill community will do for your creative business/practice? Is there one thing in particular that you’re looking forward to? 

After working from home for so many years, I’m looking forward to being part of the creative network again at the Banks Mills Studios. It is quite lonely at times, not speaking to many like minded creative folk. I’m looking forward to doing Open Studios, attending meetings and making new creative buddies with my affiliate membership. I would also like to showcase my brand new way of working (my abstract acrylic paintings) and hopefully have a solo exhibition in the future at Banks Mills Studios. 

 

 

What are you working on at the moment? 

A new range of abstract acrylic paintings based on my travels, concentrating on macro views of nature and the environment. Working mainly on canvas and wooden boards. 

 

Tell us about your work/techniques/how long a piece takes to complete etc 

Some of my smaller canvas pieces can take a day or so but my larger acrylic abstracts can take up to a week. I use many types of mark making implements such as brushes, sponges, palette knives, stencils, sticks, pencils, pens and inks etc. 

 

 

What are your plans for your business/practice for the next 12 months? 

I plan to enter several Open Competitions, write to Galleries for solo exhibition opportunities, develop my website further. Also thinking about doing general public and corporate workshops, “Introduction to Abstract painting”, still researching this though. 

 

Heather Horsley