Featured Artist: Judith Samuel
Tell us about your work!
At the moment I am working flat out on my ‘City of Ottawa – her last berth’ project, having received an Arts Council Wales grant with a deadline – the end of next year. Sounds like a long time, but time is passing fast! The project is based round the wreck of an old wooden sailing ship in Rhyl harbour. There is already a certain amount of information about her, and I am spending a lot of time in Record Offices trying to put it all together and fill gaps. The idea is to get some written material, but also produce an exhibition of paintings around her life – she sailed around the world, experiencing mutinies, death, theft, collisions, all sort of dramatic stuff! It’s pretty much taking over my life at the moment.
What or who inspires you most?
A starting point for this project is Turner’s wonderful maritime paintings, but among living maritime painters I’m inspired by Robert Brindley. But I am really inspired by the sea, the sea in all its different weathers, colours, tides, and by working ships, dirty freighters, scruffy fishing vessels, not those snobby naval ones.
What is your favourite material to use?
I love oils, especially painting on wood.
When did you become interested in art? Earliest Arty memory?
Probably moving to London as a student and seeing all the great paintings close up. Like many things that I later came to love, I hated art at school.
What would your artistic superpower be?
Just being able to paint better would be a super power for me.
What is your greatest artistic fear?
If you could bring any artist back to life, who would you choose?
Which living artist do you most admire, and why?
Kurt Jackson, Len Tabner
If money were no object what art works would you buy?
Euan Uglow, Graham Sutherland, Kurt Jackson …
Which group of artists (living or dead) would constitute your ideal dinner party?
Are you mad? All those conflicting egos round a dinner table?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Still painting, but better. Moving further out of my comfort zone.
What do you like most about your studio?
It’s warm, sunny and messy, and I don’t have to tidy up after myself. Things are to hand, just where I want them. Previously my studio was in the windy garage, so this is luxury.
Any pubs/café/restaurants near by?
There is a great coffee bar called Amber in town, which also does very fresh sandwiches, and super healthy (and not so healthy) lunches at Liffeys.
Any nice walks or countryside?
Apart from the beach and lovely sea, there’s the harbour and a walk up the estuary for birdlovers. Also the cycle path all along the coast.
Visit the artist's Helfa Gelf page here.