Siusan Patterson

What inspires you?

I observe people including my friends, through film, books, historical art and in real life. I read books, about female empowerment and visibility . I love Anime films, some of which inspire my colour palettes. I educate myself on how women deal with the pressures put on them today and get inspired by strong women from art history.

Describe your creative process.

I usually write ideas in my sketchbook. I make occasional drawings but prefer to work directly on canvas. I collage my ideas together, either digitally or on paper and then use the collages to paint from. These are ideas for the painting but of course the work changes as it progresses. I like to paint small initial studies that inform my main works. And I like to work on several paintings at once so they inform one another.

What are 3 words that best describe your work?

Colourful, bold, figurative

Who are some artists that have influenced your work?

So many artists have influenced my work including Chantal Joffe, Lisa Brice, Lubaina Himid, Tschabalala Self, Alice Neel, Jenny Saville, Louise Bourgeois. I take particular inspiration from Rubens, Matisse and Picasso. I find the women in many of Ruben’s paintings are quite representative of the more rounded female form, and his paintings often reference Greek Mythology, a subject which also informs my work. I like to reimagine these women through a different lens, subverting the male gaze.

What is the most important tool when creating your work?

Crucial to the aesthetic of my work, is the use of Golden acrylics which are richly pigmented.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?

To be experimental and playful when working, which helps keep the work fresh. I like to work in different forms eg sculpture, printmaking, or film, which is not the main part of the work , but instead complements it. Using different mediums can reveal other aspects of the idea and helps develop the work.

Where do you go for inspiration?

Exhibitions are a huge source of inspiration. I have been fortunate to have visited the main galleries in London, New York, Paris, and also in Italy. I also enjoy seeing grass roots art made by emerging artists. I take time to discover new artists on social media such as Instagram . I also get inspired by listening to artists talks and podcasts.