Isolation Inspiration #4 - Ellie Hawkes
Another talented maker and all round good egg is Ellie Hawkes. Her vinyl discs bring nature in technicolour to our window and gallery at giddy arts. Read about her artistic inspiration and thoughtful ideas on creativity during the pandemic below.
How did you get into your craft? I got into my craft after studying Fine Art at Central Saint Martins for three years and graduating in 2017. It wasn't until mid 2018 that I made my spare room into a studio and began making work again. I have always been creative and enjoyed experimenting with different craft techniques since finishing my degree. During my degree I experimented with drawing, painting and photography, which led me in my final year to work with photographic prints and vinyls - used more recently in my craft.
What do you love about your chosen medium? I love the flexibility of my subject matter. Working with the concept of nature allows me to create a range of pieces and ideas which vary in medium and size. For example, making vinyl discs, mounted photographic prints and framed works. One of the main assets to my medium is using transparent materials as they allow the work to become three dimensional, which I find interesting. Circular shapes are used a lot in my work too, I love working with circular shapes as they are unique.
How do you get the inspiration to come up with a new series or piece? Being in nature inspires me to create new ideas through my surroundings. Especially during lockdown, more walks and exercise have allowed me to submerge myself in nature and gather new ideas. Generally, ideas pop into my head at random and sometimes when I'm least expecting it I will have a new idea. I often get inspired by architecture too, especially circular shapes. Following other creatives on Instagram and doing artistic research helps to inspire me too.
How is Covid-19 affecting you and your work at the moment? Covid-19 hasn't changed my work that much at the moment. Although the pandemic is dark and horrible, it has brought peace and a sense of calm to us all. I feel people are appreciating what's around them and being grateful to be healthy and alive. It has given me more time to create work and more time to think about what's really important. It has allowed us to do jobs which we never thought we would get round to doing. My quote during the pandemic is to 'take one day at a time.'
Have you got any advice for people who want to use this time to tap into their creative side? Yes, be as creative as you can! Use this time wisely. Now is the best time to be creative and to try new things and further your creative knowledge. There is a great series on Channel 4 with Grayson Perry called 'Grayson's Art Club' where he has virtual conversations in lockdown with famous artists and creatives to see what everyone is getting up to, definitely worth a watch if you want to feel inspired!
A lot of people shy away from making work because they don't feel like they will be 'good' at making art, but it's really important not to think that and to just give it a go. Being creative brings about a calmness and that is what we all need in these uncertain times. Whether you paint, draw, do some crafting or take some photographs, now is the best time to explore your creative potential. Other things like baking or gardening are also ways of expressing your creativity. I have bee cooking alot more and making some new dishes! I ordered a pasta maker recently as I thought now is the best time to invest in being creative. We should always make time for creativity.
