The next in my series of conversations with artists!
Read about Bristol based artist Danielle Neill in her own words. Discover where the inspiration for her bold, colourful landscape paintings comes from and which artists she would invite round for dinner!
What sparks your initial ideas for a piece? Is it a feeling, an image, or something else entirely?
My ideas come from photos I take out and about. I am drawn to colour, line and shape. It could be a beautiful landscape on holiday or a pile of brightly coloured storage containers at a dock. I look out for pleasing colours and compositions wherever I am and document them for inspiration back in my studio.
Do you have a specific routine or ritual to get into a creative headspace?
I am lucky enough to have a studio space which is very important to me. It helps me get into a creative frame of mind coming into the space and leaving the normal world outside. I also listen to music whilst I paint as this helps to free up my mind and get lost in the painting.
Do you have a plan for a piece before you start, or do you allow it to develop organically?
I pin my photos all around my studio and often draw inspiration from more than one at a time so the piece becomes an amalgamation of ideas.
What's your biggest "happy accident" that turned out amazing in a piece?
Trusting the process and experiment with new techniques. Being completely free and just having fun is when the best pieces are created
Is there a hidden meaning or symbolism in your work that viewers might miss at first glance?
I don't paint with hidden meanings, but each painting has been inspired by one of my photographs. Some are more easy to work out the subject matter than others, but even the abstract ones are based from an image, rather than a feeling.
What piece of yours are you most proud of, and why?
Whichever is my latest piece of work! I like pushing my skills and techniques so am pleased when it all pulls together in the end and I can learn from it for the next one.
If you could have your art evoke one specific emotion in a viewer, what would it be?
I would love anyone who views my art to come away feeling lighter and joyous. I like the idea of creating something that makes people feel happy.
Does your art ever surprise you with where it ends up taking you?
Yes all the time! I have an idea in my head when I start but it nearly always turns out completely different to how I'd imagine when I first picked up the paint brush.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be doing?
When I was younger I wanted to to work as a window dresser for the big window displays in Selfridges or Harrods but now I think I'd be either working with animals or something that helps out the local community.
What are your ‘must have’ snacks and drinks when in the studio?
The drink has got to be coffee! I look forward to my 3 pm coffee break and reflect on the pieces I've made that morning.
What's the best piece of artistic advice you've ever received?
Learn to accept the NO’S, your art won’t be for everyone and that's okay, find your people and just keep going.
You are hosting a dinner party and have invited 3 other artists (living or dead), who would be on the guest list?
Jenny Saville, David Hockney and Joan Mitchell
Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions Danielle! A new collection from Danielle will be coming to the gallery later in the year so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, her website is here. https://www.danielleneill.com/
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