Sheffield Artist Wendy Carlton

10 Sep

Sheffield Artist Wendy Carlton

Here we are again with our latest “Fellow Sheffield Creatives” feature, hot on the heels of her appearance at this years Art in the Gardens, it’s Sheffield Artist Wendy Carlton.

We first saw Wendy’s work at an exhibition a couple of years ago at a previous Art in the Gardens and just loved the bright vibrant colours and her interesting technique.

wendy carlton

Volta: What did you do before you did what you do now?

Wendy: I spent 1 year in a textile studio in London designing floral fabrics which were used to produce swimming costumes. I then spent 19 years designing Greetings Cards.

Volta: Who or what inspired you to do what you do?

Wendy: Both my parents were creative but unfortunately never made a career out of it. My Mum enjoyed fashion design, drawing and sewing, she ended up working as a seamstress making other peoples creations. My Dad loved portraits, calligraphy and drawing cartoon characters, he was asked one Christmas to paint many of the windows at Sheffield’s Children’s Hospital. He was very proud. They both encouraged my passion for art.

Volta: Were you self taught or have you had formal training?

Wendy: I went to Granville College for 3 years, 2 years doing Fine Art and 1 year Textiles. I then went to Nottingham to study Textile Design where I got a 1st Class Hons Degree.

wendy carlton

Volta: How did your current style develop and how do you see it developing in the future?

Wendy: My style has changed and developed over the years but the constant throughout is my love of colour. I am gradually becoming more abstract in my work but want to push myself to simplify things further. My Meadowlands paintings packed with flowers and foliage are popular so they will continue alongside my venture into abstracts.

Volta: What influence has living in Sheffield had on your creativity and how you approach your work?

Wendy: The magnificent countryside. I live on the edge of Derbyshire and walk my dogs daily in places like Ecclesall woods with its beautiful ever-changing colour and Blackamoor with its breathtaking views.

Volta: If you could choose a famous person to own one of your pieces of work, who would it be?

Wendy: It would probably have been David Bowie, in my opinion ultimate in creativity in so many areas.

wendy carlton

Volta: Can you remember the first piece of work you ever sold?

Wendy: Yes, it was straight after my degree show and I sold one of my designs to a roller blind company.

Volta: How would you describe what you do?

Wendy: I sit cross legged on the floor and enjoy playing with colour – splattering, dabbing, brushing and using a pallet knife. It’s wonderful to see what has developed during the day. Hopefully it’s a work of art 🙂

Volta: What is your favourite thing about Sheffield?

Wendy: Apart from the closeness of the countryside it must be the friendliness of the people. Sometimes my dog walks take hours as I am chatting to complete strangers with lovely doggies.

Volta: What advice would you give an aspiring fellow artist who was wanting to break through to the next level (whatever that may be)?

Wendy: I’m not sure what advice I can give but to keep going, sometimes you feel like giving up. Social media has been a good platform for me as I am not great at marketing myself but to just put a photo of your work out there you don’t know who might see it and it could bring a whole new opening for you.

wendy carlton