ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE :
RACHEL ARIF
KNOWN FOR HER ENERGETIC SEASCAPE PAINTINGS AS WELL AS HER LANDSCAPE AND FIGURATIVE WORK , insideKENT CAUGHT UP WITH RACHEL ARIF TO SEE WHAT LIFE HAS BEEN LIKE POST-PANDEMIC .
THE FLORIST
Tell us what you ’ ve been up to since we last spoke to you ?
I ’ ve enjoyed a fabulous year on the whole . I ’ ve had several works selected for exhibitions at Mall Galleries alongside The Royal Society of British Artists , The ING Discerning Eye and The Pastel Society . I ’ ve also donated several works for various Charities including Art for Ukraine , COVID , and Sketch for Survival for Explorers Against Extinction whose proceeds go towards frontline conservation projects . One of my paintings , The Florist , has been selected to exhibit along with The New English Art Club ( NEAC ), and I have also been made an associate member for Manchester Academy of Fine Art , which was a real highlight and something I ’ m really proud of .
Give us a rundown of what a typical day looks like for you .
I usually go to the studio three times a week ; smaller works I can manage to do at home . No two days are the same , but some days I ' ll start at my desk where I ’ ll be either sketching , planning future works , exhibitions or admin including social media and website updates , liaising with galleries , prospective buyers and framers . Most days , fortunately , I ’ m painting , sometimes I ’ ll be working on just one piece but then others , and I ’ ll often have several works on the go . It ’ s all very erratic ; I ’ m not a great planner so my studio reflects that - it ' s all a bit of a mess .
You were born in Lancashire , do you think the environment of your upbringing contributed to your artistic style ?
Yes , I think so . I ’ m naturally drawn to a darker palette , I guess very much like where I grew up in the North West . A grey , rainy day feels very different to me here than in Rochdale . The cloud somehow seems lower ; it ’ s more oppressive . It ’ s beautiful actually , especially near to where I grew up . There was lots of moorland and the air felt clean . Whether I ’ m painting a land / seascape or a figurative work , the emotion is intrinsic in each I think .
If you hadn ’ t become an artist , what do you think you would be doing instead ?
Maybe something to do with homes and interiors , a ceramist of some sort , or something to do with animals . The latter is the most likely .
What advice would you give to budding artists out there ?
Just that it takes time and effort . So many hurdles and failures until it finally clicks and you gain confidence and belief in your work . Stay true to yourself and paint what you feel , what you enjoy and want to paint .
Where can we find your work ?
I currently have work at M1 Fine Art in Greenwich , Thompson ’ s Gallery Aldeburgh , John Nootts Gallery Broadway , Wykeham Gallery in Stockbridge and Puckhaber Decorative Antiques in Rye . You can see the New English Art Club exhibition at Mall Galleries London between Thursday June 23 to Saturday July 2 . Many people contact me directly either through my website , www . rachelarif . co . uk , or on Instagram : rachel _ arif .
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