KENT ARTIST PROFILE:
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE:
WENDY LOVE HINDS
FROM MAKING SKETCHES TO CREATING A BEAUTIFUL FINISHED PIECE, KENT ARTIST, WENDY LOVE HINDS HAS A DEFINITE METHOD TO HER CREATIONS. AND IT WORKS, TOO. HER LIFELIKE SCULPTURES OF KENTISH WILDLIFE ARE STUNNING, CAPTURING NATURE AT ITS FINEST.
If you had to define your art, how would you describe what you do?
I’ m mainly a ceramic artist though I do produce a selection of gicleé prints and cards. I would describe myself as a wildlife artist with an illustrative style!
How did you become an artist?
My interest in art has been lifelong really, but when I left school it remained mostly a hobby until my children were at school and I started art classes, then a friend introduced me to clay and the rest, as they say, is history.
How do you choose your subject matter?
I’ m naturally drawn to the natural world; I’ ve stuck mainly to British wildlife in recent years( hares are very popular!) but I have plans to move further afield, subject wise. I’ m lucky to have the Big Cat Sanctuary on my doorstep, so I’ m hoping to visit there this year as those big cats would be beautiful to sculpt.
What is the most interesting commission you’ ve ever received?
It’ s always an honour to be asked to make a commission for someone, especially when it’ s their beloved pet. It would be hard to choose a favourite as they are all rather special, particularly if they are a posthumous request.
What has been your proudest artistic achievement to date?
It would have to be the opportunity I now have to give back by teaching, be it a school workshop or one-to-one tuition. The most rewarding however, without a doubt has to be the work I have done with the disabled artists at Canterbury Oast Trust where I have been a tutor for the past four years. Although the disabilities are mixed, we prefer to focus on each individual’ s ability and tailor the project with this in mind. The work they produce is amazing and is shown and sold in exhibitions and galleries throughout the year. Unfortunately, due to injuring my back earlier this year I’ m unable to work there at the moment and miss them all terribly.
What is it about animals that makes them such great subject matter?
I love the diverse range that the animal kingdom provides, the character of each animal and the way they interact with each other and their habitat. Also the fact that we’ re a nation of animal lovers makes them a very popular subject.
Where can we see your work?
My work can frequently be seen at both the Singing Soul Gallery in Cranbrook and the West End House Gallery in Smarden. This month, I will also be taking part in the Pilgrims
Way Artists 21st Anniversary Exhibition 18th- 28th May, Roots Festival 18th-20th May and Pashley Manor’ s Sculpture in Particular 26th May-2nd June.
What does the rest of 2018 hold in store for you?
This year will include a mix of exhibitions old and new, I’ m also intending to get enough work made so I can approach some new galleries further afield. Later on in the year, I’ m looking forward to what could be classed as a busman’ s holiday when I’ ll be taking part in a workshop in Devon by one of my favourite wildlife sculptors, Nick Mackman. I love seeing how other ceramicists work and it’ s my belief we should never stop learning!
www. lovesartandsculpture. com www. wendylovehinds. blogspot. co. uk
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