ALL FEATURED ART PIECES ARE KERRY SLACK ’ S ORIGINAL WORK

Now a freelance illustrator , Kerry talks to Sara Baalla about ballet , seasides , and dreams .

How did you get into art ? What motivates you to create ?

I was always fascinated by artists and the magical way they could turn nothing into something . I couldn ’ t get enough of Tony Hart and Vision On when I was younger , or street artists that created portraits in minutes . When my daughter was a toddler , I loved all the arty activities and face painting at her school fetes .

My art journey began to take shape six years ago . I joined a drawing and painting class and absolutely loved it , so I took some more . I know I would have loved art school but didn ’ t even consider it when I was younger . I have since been to many great art courses , both locally and at City Lit in Covent Garden , where I explored life drawing , illustration and watercolour .

Who are your biggest influences ?

I have loads and they change the more I see , but I will always love Turner ’ s seascapes for the drama ,

Kandinsky for his colour and composition , Joseph Zbukvic for his confident large-scale watercolours and Sumi-e for its bold , expressive brush marks . I ’ m lucky to live in London , where the art galleries are only a tube ride away .

Where do you find your inspiration ?

My art was originally inspired by my dancing daughter . I love the feelings of freedom , energy and grace in dance . I try to bring that vitality and movement to everything I paint . My daughter ’ s dancing days didn ’ t last too long so I ’ ve had to find inspiration elsewhere .

I sketch a few times a year at the English National Ballet

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