“Drawing really helps to calm me down and tune out all the negative thoughts and focus on something positive that I enjoy!”
#TheJoyOfSketch
We first met Olivia when her sister Ursula (long-time Sketchy Bitch!) brought her along to a Frida-themed event in the Spring. Like her sister, Olivia is a kind, compassionate and bloody talented woman - but their drawing styles couldn’t be more different! We caught up to ask her a few Qs about creativity - and Christmas!
So, tell us a little bit about your creative journey and background – are you a pro?
No! I’m a Communications Assistant for an Archaeology Company by day. I always had a sense of creativity since I was small, but I was econuraged to go down a different educational route. After university, I went through a very painful bereavement and stopped having the motivation for all the things I enjoyed. It was only after I started working for an art museum, where I was surrounded by beautiful paintings, prints and sculptures, that I began to feel inspired. I would go to life drawing every so often. In the last year, I've really tried to make time for the things I enjoy. I can be hard on myself, if I don't produce something that's perfect or polished, but even just practicing, I've noticed a vast improvement.
What (apart from your sister!) made you come to that first Sketch Appeal event? What did you get out of it?
I don't know why I didn't turn up sooner! My first sketch appeal event was Frida Kahlo inspired, and it was a lot of fun getting to use coloured pens and create portraits of all the other women there. It was a really positive and encouraging atmosphere. The event I really enjoyed was the Inktoberfest 2019. I've always been inspired by the work of the artist Ronald Searle, so it was right up my street. It was again a really fun day, which flew by, and it was lovely meeting everyone and get to draw them.
In a few lines, how would you describe the experience to others?
Positive and inspiring, it’s so great to see so many talented people!
Did it inspire you to draw more, or go to any other creative events?
It did inspire me to draw more, even if just snatching a few minutes in the evening after work. I think the most important thing is it doesn't really matter if you're an amateur or professional, everyone has been very supportive of each other's work. I think it's always lovely to get lots of portraits of yourself at the end of it!
How does drawing make you feel, and has it played any part in improving your mental health?
I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for a long time, and drawing really helps to calm me down and tune out all the negative thoughts and focus on something positive that I enjoy!
Favourite materials to draw with?
If it wasn't obvious already, ink! I love the contrast it creates, and you can really intensify it or soften it up in your work. It's always a little unpredictable, but I was really pleased with what I created in the Inktoberfest event.
Any cool artists or illustrators we should check out on Insta?
One of my favourite instagram artists is a French artist called Maureen Diglee Wingrove, and my good friend @paulshinndraws
Any other creative workshops or events you’d recommend?
Art Macabre - they do lots of very spectacular, theatrical life drawing events!
Any cool books you’d recommend people wanting to get creative and draw more in 2020?
365 Days of Drawing by Lorna Scobie - it gives you lots of little activities and encourages you to draw every day of the year.
All I want for Christmas is… Ink and brushes please!
Favourite Christmas song: Last Christmas
Olivia recommends…
365 Days of Drawing by Lorna Scobie - as featured in Issue 1 of Sketch Appeal magazine :)