MADDIE
“ I was thrilled when I received a call from FusionARTS inviting me to work in one of their studios in Eden Street, Kingston as part of the Pilot for the FUSEWIRE Project. I never in a million years expected posts of my paintings on instagram/facebook would attract a 6 month residency in a real studio.

The FUSEWIRE Project is an opportunity which gives a young artist a springboard to a career in art. I am privileged to be chosen for 2019, and that my input will help shape the project for the future.

My story is that after being consistently good at art at school, I felt I needed to go to college to study a specific area in order to gain a career. I embarked on a course for Visual Effects. I quickly realised that although very interesting, it wasn't something that I was passionate about, and I being passionate about what I do is crucial to doing it well. So, I left the course, and returned to my first love - painting.

Having access to a studio gives me the headspace I need, it reduces distractions from the outside world and to produce my portraits I really need to focus on the detail.

My first day at FusionARTS in April;
I was warmly welcomed by the fellow artists in the studio and was fascinated by the diversity of art that is produced here! So many talented artists!

My first commercial piece was commissioned around that date.
My client, Alan, was keen to show his theatrical side in a portrait, so we agreed to a photoshoot on a sunny afternoon in my garden. Once downloaded, he chose the photo he wanted me to work from.
I settled in the studio with an easel, a few paint brushes and some oils and got to work. A primed canvas and a few base layers on and it was starting to get somewhere!

I really enjoyed experimenting and had decided that the layering process would be suitable. It was the first time I had painted layers of fabric and it took a few tries to get used to it! The dark background was to make the piece look very traditional, which was lifted by the gorgeous gold frame that now surrounds it."