KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
LISA MCGUINESS
It seems that Kent is a huge inspiration when it comes to your artwork , can you tell us what it is about the Garden of England that inspires you so ?
Kent has the most amazing scenery but Kent ’ s coast is what fascinates me the most , I love the way it draws people to it and over the years it ’ s become a real destination for creatives . My work is a mix of these characters and drawing from my career in fashion . I grew up by the sea and moved to London to study fashion , staying for 17 years , but Kent always felt like home .
Tell us a little about your process , from the conception of an idea to the final stroke of the paint brush .
I ’ m a real people watcher , I love to observe life , whether it ’ s someone ’ s mannerisms , an overheard conversation or a life experience . These are the starting points for my creative process . I then layer onto that sourced images ( usually from fashion ), and mix in my own narrative , sketching until I recreate that initial experience . If it ’ s quite an immediate idea then watercolour is great . However , if it ’ s an idea that ’ s developed over time , then I like to work on
canvas in acrylics . The same process happens when someone hires me to do an original commission .
You spent many years as a successful footwear designer , what made you want to give that up to become an artist ?
Creatively , it wasn ’ t a big transition as I ’ ve always kept sketchbooks and painted . Moving back to the Kent coast then gave me more time and inspiration to focus on my real passion , which is painting . However , shoes still remain a big part of my life . Recently , I did a collaboration with a Margate lifestyle store , Margaux , which led to a series of fashion prints with a heavy emphasis on shoes . I will always love beautiful shoes !
How have you and your art adapted to and / or been influenced by the rapidly changing world we now live in ?
Lockdown mark 1 gave me the opportunity to paint more as life completely shut down . I started to post my work on social media , which is when my career as an artist really took off . Such exposure to a large audience helped what was a hobby turn into a complete change in lifestyle . My art was shortlisted
in two categories of the FIDA ( Fashion Illustration & Drawing Awards ) as well as for an exhibition at the Brick Lane Gallery . People seemed to respond to my unique mix of fashion and painting and requests ( via social media ) for commissions and collaborations followed .
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the coming year ?
Although it ’ s difficult to plan ahead , there will definitely be more paintings , collaborations and commissions for sure . I ’ m looking forward to getting back to people watching !
Where can we find your work ?
I ’ m currently sharing a gallery space , Gallery 7 , in Margate ’ s Old Town with my talented older brother who has been an established abstract landscape artist for many years . I also sell my work via my website www . lisaillustrations . com and via my Instagram page @ lisaillustrations .
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