We recently caught up with our Head of Art, Luke Baker to discuss the value of an artist residency.

How do you think a residency can benefit an artist?

A residency offers an artist a great chance to gain a fresh perspective, as well as providing an exciting new challenge. It can enable an artist time and space for reflection, giving them the opportunity to experiment and further explore and develop ideas. Furthermore, you cannot underestimate the value of taking a break from the ‘norm’, by becoming immersed in an artist specific setting with the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, build connections and make new discoveries.

What are some of your favourite things about the Little Van Gogh Artist Residency?

The Little Van Gogh Residency is situated in the New Forest national park, which is a hugely inspiring and unique environment that is rich for exploration. The New Forest is a landscape that is incredibly versatile and can be inspiring for an artist in many different ways, from far seeing vistas, to dense wild woodland to even a picturesque coastline. There are a multitude of contrasting environments which I believe most artists no matter their practise could use to enhance or influence their work. This, combined with the fantastic live in studio space, make this opportunity the perfect place in which an artist can free themselves from the distractions of the everyday and focus solely on their creative practise.

Luke Baker

What is your advice to any artist applying for the Little Van Gogh Artist residency?

Artists applying for the Little Van Gogh Artist Residency should really consider how they are going to get the most out of this experience. Do you have a goal that would you would like to achieve? Or are you excited by the prospect of being able to focus solely on your art?

Having a plan or rough outline for your week can really help answer these questions and illustrate to us how the residency will help and contribute towards your journey as an artist.