Septembers guest artist is Mandy- Jayne Ahlfors her colourful work is lighting up the gallery,read more about Mandy below.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Mandy-Jayne Ahlfors a self taught artist currently
living in Heage Derbyshire. My current subjects are Landscapes and Portraits. I
also paint to commission.
What’s your back ground?
It all began as a young child my family used to say to me
you were born to do art be creative I was also gymnast as well another creative
hobby of mine really I had two art forms as a child. Every birthday and
Christmas was sheer delight my presents where all creative , drawing pads,
creative kits, paint by numbers, scratch foil, picture kits I could make with
tiny glass stones one I remember was a young farmer and his donkey I gave to my
grandparents as a gift. At different stages in my life my family have my art in
their home most of them are still on their walls and luckily not the in the
loft. Both my brothers once commissioned
me for the same painting, I’m very lucky that my family paid me to paint they
were encouraging me so grateful they did a good start for my art business. In
‘96 after being made redundant for the first time I attended art painting
workshops in Belper it was suggested by the tutor I should go to University but
I couldn’t really afford it so I did a self study credited art theory course at
the local Belper Adult Education Centre near the Fleet I chose The
Impressionists Era it was so interesting to learn more about Turner, Monet,
Manet, Degas, Renoir, Van Gogh further studying took me back to the Renaissance
another favouritwe era in art
history. Family & friends continued
their quest for me to exhibit my work. Finally it felt like the time was right
I’d heard of Studio 61 Gallery near Matlock in Derbyshire so contacted Karina
for the first time in 2007 Karina exhibited my work. My art was then accepted at View From The Top
Gallery above Waterstones in Nottingham very exciting times sadly now closed
due to the recession. I had art
commissions every month. Eventually art became my self employed job.
What has been a seminal experience?
One of the first experiences was to have my work accepted by
art galleries. There have been so many seminal experiences I’ve been very
lucky, every year since 2009 my work has been featured online or in
publications for example my painting Titled “Ethereal” published in Artists and
Illustrators Magazine. Featured online such as Saatchiart.com my “Great British
Mini” Painting was chosen for their online Pop Art Collection I’ve been very lucky to have had my work
featured in local news, magazines and media, a company called “The New Fat” in
Nottingham featured my art on their online calendar for three years running and
I’ve been asked again in 2015. In 2012
my art was selected to be exhibited at East Midlands Airport in the DepARTures
exhibition that also was an the most amazing experience. . When my people
compliment and buy my art is always a seminal experience I’m always grateful!
How has your practice changed over time?
From time to time my art does evolve . I enjoy different subjects I find the World
is an inspiration each time I study a subject my imagination runs wild. I seem have certain times in my life where
I’m ready to start something fresh reinvent my work. I never stop learning it’s a never ending
journey.
Why art?
It was always meant to be art.
What memorable responses have you had to your art?
I receive amazing compliments on my work it could be work
they’ve seen a gallery or even social media. I appreciate it very much I am
very thankful!
What inspires you?
I’m a deep thinker I’ve always been the same I never forgot
that thought even from a young age. I’m
a people watcher, I love the light and changing seasons I’m constantly taking
in my surroundings always thinking.
What research do you do?
I research all my subjects.
Currently I’ve been researching our Heritage and wanted to highlight it
further both my parents are history lovers maybe this is another reason why I
seem to delve further into my subject.
Whats the best piece of advice have you been given?
Learn from failure.
There have been times where you get to that point and you think it’s not
working I step back and take time out refresh my thoughts. I look for inspirational advice my friends,
family the internet such as blogs, groups on social media play a huge part
there is so much advice out there if you look for it. It’s great for business and helps me to
stabilise especially when the times have been tough. I would say I am able to
give advice too! I know even at times I felt frustrated I’ve felt like giving
the art up but I always say to myself “you know you won’t” I would feel lost
without my art!
Thank you Mandy!
The gallery is open Tues- sat 10 -5, it is a working gallery with a lovely cosy atmsphere tea and coffee and a place to sit and admire the work of our artists and designers.
