- Structure and shape can be the building blocks of any great work of art, however the composition does not always have to be representational. :
Our Head of Art Luke Baker recently sat down with Little Van Gogh artist Christopher Lessware, where they discussed his loose and expressive process, as well as his inspirations.
Where do you find inspiration?
I tend to find it in the process: that is to say, I will mark the canvas, then add to the mark (or subtract, or cover) and hope that I will “take off” at some point. And, of course, art books, TV and galleries….
How has your practice changed over time?
In a variety of ways –
Figurative to abstraction, very early on. But I also do life painting and drawing every week.
Size – I started small and now do only 30×40 inch or (mainly) 100x100cm.
Materials – I no longer do framed and glazed and paint only unframed canvases.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
Far and away my greatest influence is my late partner, the abstractionist painter Marion Jones. She started me painting. Painters who also inspire me – Asger Jorn, Karel Appel, Willem de Kooning, Nicolas de Stael, Peter Lanyon and above all Joan Mitchell and Richard Diebenkorn.5
What is the purpose or goal of your work?
To create original images which are arresting, pleasing, disturbing maybe – and ideally to sell them. It’s a huge boost when people want to have my work on the wall.
Does creating art help you in any other area of your life?
No, it’s the central purpose of my life at present and has no function other than to be that. If I’ve produced an original image, that’s a day/week/ month of life not wasted.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
There are two pieces of advice, both from Marion:
- Learn the rules – and then break them.
- Just break the rules…