4 minute read
Art Meets Design
Francesca Skelhorn
I have always drawn since I was a little girl. I have been able to always find happiness and a sense of calm when creating. I did my art A-level at Dartford Technology College, where I was encouraged and inspired by my art teacher, Sue Garcia. I then went onto KIAD, now known as the UCA in Rochester. I completed an art and design foundation course there, which was brilliant and very experimental. We explored lots of different pathways, from graphic design, textiles, life drawing and for a final piece I ended up making female inspired food sculptures, made out of various fruit and confectionary, as at the time, I was mesmerised by the work of the artist, Helen Chadwick, who would use of a rich variety of materials, such as flesh, flowers, chocolate and fur. After this course, I had planned to go and study art history at Canterbury University but I admit I was influenced by a tutor to study fashion at Ravensbourne. Fashion is a vehicle for dynamic communication and it is not just about making clothes, it is about developing a visual language.
I have lived in Dartford for a very long time, it’s a great place and more and more people are moving here. It is also a perfect base for visiting the local countryside and the coast, as well as easy access to the heart of London. It is a happy time to see Dartford go through a period of change and regeneration, the park and library area is a beautiful space and has a growing sense of community about it.
My inspiration comes from a variety of sources and I have explored my creative interests from various angles, from collage work, to creating site-specific installations and sound design, as well as designing innovative teaching methods, where I draw from the 5 senses.
For the work I currently create, it is mixture of hand drawn and digital work of women’s faces and colourful patterned textile work. My inspiration comes from an internal visual database collated over the years, of visual fragments and then fed by intuitive line work. Confidence and individuality are also key messages.
For any budding artist, I would say, just start, explore the various mediums you have at your disposal, whether it’s a few coloured pens, or you want to experiment with acrylic or pastels. Just get something on paper and see where it takes you, if you are lost for inspiration, look at the objects and favourite references around you, be it a film, a piece of packaging, maybe a favourite piece of clothing or photos you have personally taken. Why are they speaking to you? Is it the colours, shape or the meaning of the artefact? These elements can open up further layers to help you find further vibrant and diverse reference material, which are bound to make you curious and explore your chosen topic in more detail.
Francesca Skelhorn was born and raised from the age of three in Kent, the Garden of England, by her grandmother, who was an abundant source of inspiration to her. This influenced her admiration of women for their distinct personalities and strength of character.
With a background in fashion and academia, Francesca has worked with young talent and understands how minds can be pushed and nurtured, helping to crystallise new ideas and build confidence: a key theme underpinning the message of her work.
‘My women appear on paper, making me feel empowered, enlightened and happy. I create my work to enable others to feel this also. I love working with pastels, ink, paint and digital media. Having no rules in place, just to enjoy the freedom and expression of building these unique characters on paper or canvas. The women I create all have different names and are linked by my drawing style of long necks, yet, each person has her own focus and symbols of individuality.’
Francesca’s main body of work uses the female form, predominately using faces, pattern and the use of colour, which helps to strengthen a mood or bring to life the personality of her subjects.
She will be showing in a number of upcoming exhibition, as well as showing a new collection of an uplifting art in a new group exhibition called “Under the Rainbow” at Bluewater from 27th September – 1st November, 2021.
Her work can be found via her website:
Website: www.francescaskelhorn.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francescaskelhorn/
Oneoffto25.com – an online gallery https://oneoffto25.com/collections/francesca-skelhorn-studio
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