Please can you give me an introduction about yourself

I am a visual artist living and working in Scarborough. I hail from Morley, Leeds where my craving for creativity began as a small child daubing paint on the back of offcuts of wallpaper. The need to paint and draw has stayed with me throughout school, art college, working full time as a civil servant and having 2 children. I started to focus more on developing my identity as an artist when I was fortunate to be given a residency at Burton Agnes Hall. This continued for a further seven residencies, painting and sketching aspects of the Hall and gardens. I also exhibited my work, giving me the confidence to talk to visitors interested in my paintings. A few years ago I was looking for an outlet for my work so volunteering at the Stephen Joseph Theatre shop was suggested to me. In 2016 I joined the shop. As well as selling my work there, I am chairperson of the collective of volunteer artists and makers. I love theatre so being part of this talented group in that setting is very rewarding. I have also had work in local galleries, the latest being a solo exhibition at The Dorothy Rowan Gallery in Scarborough.

What inspired you to paint?

I was so young the conscious thought process of inspiration was not developed in me. I just loved paint, colour and making visual what was in my head. I suppose my parents recognised this so I always had paints and pencils bought for me at birthdays and Christmas. I was also creative in other ways. My Mum and Dad used their creativity around the home- so I picked up skills in sewing, dressmaking, gardening, decorating which has served me well over the years. At primary school my teachers also recognised my artistic abilities so I was always chosen to do the large scale paintings which were pinned up around the assembly hall. Then at secondary school there was the option of choosing Art as my subject. I had some fantastic art teachers at Morley High School who opened my eyes to different techniques and styles of art. I was then old enough to join the 'Grown-ups' part of Morley Library and was a constant visitor to the Art section. Art college was a different animal. It was all about ideas and concepts and actually using different media; ceramics, photography, 3 dimensional art, textiles, printing as well as drawing and painting.

The Stocking Lady- Oil on canvas Lynne Arnison — The Stocking Lady- Oil on canvas

Describe your creative process; from start to finish of a painting. Where do you find your inspiration?

People say that my work is varied. I think that is because I like to challenge myself at different disciplines. It has taken years to find my artistic voice as I have been raising a family and working for most of my life....so far! A love of theatre and books has given me inspiration for some of my work. When I was at Burton Agnes Hall all my work then was taken from my observations and experiences there. Usually it's from what is familiar to me, my hometown Morley, Leeds, my adopted hometown Scarborough and people. Social history interests me and buildings or places which have changed or gone forever. I have a collection of old photographs from various sources including my own family. I have a leatherbound sketch book and start with oil sketches for ideas for paintings which I then scale up on a canvas- the great thing about oil painting is that you can make changes as you develop the painting.

What is your favourite piece of work and why?

I guess I am not alone as an artist saying that the current or last painting is a favourite. Sometimes a little part of a painting is a favourite- I can think of a shoe I painted on a doll, or a basket of vegetables on another painting I like. But if I was stranded on a desert island with my 8 discs, a book and a luxury item. The painting I would rescue would be a painting I did of me, my brothers and Mum from a 1970s snapshot photo. It's painted on vintage wallpaper from that time.

Family- Gouache on wallpaper NFS Lynne Arnison — Family- Gouache on wallpaper NFS

What do you think makes your work unique?

That's a difficult question. I suppose I don't want to emulate another painter's style and brushwork or subject matter. I taught myself how to apply paint and use colour, just by trial an error. I will take criticism and suggestions but I just want to find my own way. My style has changed over the years and I hope it will continue to, to make it interesting for me and hopefully for people who follow my work.

Pint of Mixed Luv - Oil on canvas Lynne Arnison — Pint of Mixed Luv - Oil on canvas

What is the purpose/goal of your work?

The bottom line is, I have to satisfy my need to be creative. If I have spells where I don't paint, I don't feel like myself. I aim to have more time to paint very soon so will be able to off load all these paintings I have stored up in my head. I do get positive feedback from the artwork I have sold and have exhibited so I would like to build on this more. I always like to talk to the people who buy my paintings not just because they like them, but because they see something different in the painting to me.

Who is your favourite artist and why? Do they have an influence on your work?

My first discovery via one of my Secondary school teachers were the Pre- Raphaelite Brotherhood. Looking at these paintings now, they look very conventional and traditional but they were the rebels of their time. I loved their use of colour and subject matter, some of it quite controversial for Victorian Britain.Then I discovered Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. I love Sickert too, his dark brooding paintings linger with me. He also had an interest in theatre so his paintings of performers and audiences are just great. Some others to mention are the American John Sloan and the Ashcan artists. Some of my favourite British artists are Stanley Spencer, Harold Gilman, LS Lowry, Harold Riley, Theodore Major, Valette( he was French but came to live and work in Manchester), Ruskin Spear to name but a few. I suppose my favourite group of painters would be Northern Artists because they paint aspects of Northern life and people- ordinary people. I follow contemporary artists too as they are creating new work. One being Stuart Hirst whose gallery I recently exhibited at. I have also got to be acquainted with Robert E Wells- I saw his work on Instagram and was instantly smitten- when I got to know him I realised he was born and raised in Morley too.

Are you currently working on any new exciting projects?

I am creating new artwork for an exhibition in Scarborough later this year- it will include paintings influenced by my interest in social history and documentary. I hope to be involved in Leeds 2023 Year of Culture and play a part in Morley North's celebration.

Why do you think art is important in society?

Ultimately it sets human beings apart from animals- it's one of the tenet's of a civilised society. Art is all around us- the label on your soup, the design of your sofa, the music you listen to, the live show you book for, the film or drama on your tv, the clothing you like to wear,or the books you like to read. Art enables creative people to use and share their ideas or commentaries on life and it enriches everyone irrespective of ability or social status. Art should be valued as a subject at all schools as equally as sciences and languages are taught. To quote Picasso-' Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.'