Artist of the week – Ezri Saunders

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Welcome to this week’s Artist Of The Week

Ezri Saunders

Ezri Saunders from Kettering in Northamptonshire is a young artist who only fairly recently started pursuing art as a career. She’s currently a full time artist and has been for about 18 months. She enjoys socialising and is looking forward to a return to “The new normal”. She works mainly in watercolour and says she likes to “trust the water, allowing it to move as it wants to move.” Her style involves the use of expressive, often vibrant colours.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Ezri sells her work through her #LANC shop.
Visit Ezri’s Art Shop – ArtsyEz – Art by Ezri Saunders[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]I sat down with Ezri over a video chat in the garden with my usual cup of tea and found out more about another one of our amazing young artists.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What did you do before you discovered your talent for painting?

My interest in art started while I was studying for my GCSEs at 16. For some reason I didn’t get on with it so I pursued more academic subjects, in particular the sciences. Then, a little while ago I started work at Goldmark Gallery in Uppingham. That revitalised my interest in art and set me on a new path.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4655″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

What inspired you to become an artist?

The idea of me actually becoming an artist and pursuing it as a career came to me when I was working at the Goldmark Gallery. I was working as a gallery assistant, helping with exhibitions and general dogsbody stuff, but being totally immersed in the art world was a bit of a wake up call.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]When I was concentrating on the sciences I was surrounded by people all the time. Being suddenly surrounded by beautiful works of art opened up a new world. The realisation that you can really express yourself through the medium of paint. I started taking a sketchbook with me when I went out to pubs or out for a walk and thought “Hey! Maybe I could do this for a living.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4652″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4654″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

What’s life like as an artist in your area?

I joined Kettering Art Society at the beginning of the year but because of Covid it’s been tricky and I don’t know many other artists in my area. Facebook has been great though and that’s why I joined LA&C (which I love by the way!)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Is your family artistic?

Er, no. I’m the black sheep of the family.

My dad’s an engineer and my mum is currently training to be a chemistry teacher. I guess that’s why I followed the sciences when I was at school rather than pursuing art back then.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

Who’s your favourite artist?

Well, to start with, I’m a big fan of Rembrandt and Monet.

Then there’s John Piper who painted cathedrals, churches etc. Architectural studies. It isn’t my style and I don’t think I’d be any good at it but I love his work.

Eduardo Paulozzi, one of the pioneers of Pop Art is a big favourite of mine as well. I love his wild, expressive use of colour. 

Most importantly I feel that art should be accessible to everyone. Anybody should be able to own a piece of art without spending an enormous amount of money. With Piper and Paulozzi, for example, their work is readily available as posters.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”4653″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What advice would you give to beginners?

Go for it! Do what you want to do, don’t feel you should follow a particular style. Experiment and have fun.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Would you be interested in LA&C’s mentoring scheme?

Yes, definitely! I’d love to get advice from different artists about different styles. 

Also, I know I don’t have a lot of experience but I’d love to pass on what I can and hope to encourage a new artist to try something new[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Well that’s all for this week.

Huge thanks to Ezri for taking the time to tell us all about herself and her work. Don’t forget to check out her shop at…

ArtsyEz – Art by Ezri Saunders

If you’d like to be our featured “Artist Of The Week” drop me a line at tom@localartandcraft.com

Bye for now!

TJ[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]