Sheffield Based Artist Vicky Scott
Sheffield Based Artist Vicky Scott.
It’s time for us to chat to another locally-based artist and this month it’s the turn of illustrator extraordinaire, Vicky Scott, here’s what Vicky had to say.
Volta: Who or what inspired you to do what you do?
Vicky: I’m not sure where it came from to begin with; I decided I wanted to be an artist when I was 5 years old! My artistic inspirations come from all over the place but I was lucky growing up in London and having access to lots of museums (and my Dad’s scrapbook collection!) I visited lots of exhibitions in my teens which I think sent me in a retro illustration direction; a show on 1960’s design, visiting William Morris’ house and going on a college trip to Barcelona in particular spring to mind.
Volta: Were you self-taught or have you had formal training?
Vicky: I was lucky enough to go to art school (Wimbledon for my Foundation and then Brighton for my degree in Illustration). I only came up with my paper cutting style at the end of my Degree so I did end up learning how to do it on my own.
Volta: What did you do before you did what you do now?
Vicky: I’ve actually always been an Illustrator and started illustrating professionally a few months after graduating! Up until fairly recently, I’ve always had a part time job too, but I’ve not really changed career (I’m quite determined!).
Volta: How did your current style develop and how do you see it developing in the future?
Vicky: I’d experimented with lots of different styles at University and college (paint, sewing, 3D, line drawing, you name it!) and then I just experimented with cut paper for a particular brief and it sort of stuck. I’d like to try making 3D paper collages, that would be interesting to see how much detail I could get in and also how to deal with photographing them!
Volta: If you’re not originally from Sheffield, why did you decide to settle here?
Vicky: My partner is from Sheffield originally and we wanted to live in a city. We already knew the Peak District and had really enjoyed exploring it plus I’m a fan of outdoor swimming so nearby Hathersage lido was a bonus!
Volta: What influence has living in Sheffield had on your creativity and how you approach your work?
Vicky: I don’t think it’s changed my approach, but Sheffield did inspire me to start a project. I started my teapots of Sheffield designs a few months after moving here. This series of illustrations are where I’ve transformed local landmarks into a collection of fancy teapots. I wanted a project to help me get to know and celebrate my new home city, but without doing something too similar to the other fantastic artists in the city. Plus everyone likes tea! I think I started with the Winter Gardens and didn’t quite know how it was going to turn out and as people seemed to like them I created more (I’m now up to 9).
Volta: Can you remember the first piece of work you ever sold?
Vicky: My first commission was for Paperchase and it was a Christmas card design of a pair of penguins! My first actual physical print sale was (I think) my Tree of Cake picture as a print at a trade fair. It was with a gallery so I didn’t experience it first-hand, sadly, but it was still nice to know that someone out there liked my work!
Volta: Do other areas of creativity, such as music, have any influence on your work?
Vicky: Yes definitely, music was a huge inspiration on getting into art as a teenager. I often used to illustrate song lyrics so I was really happy when I’ve been asked a few times to illustrate album covers and festival posters. Architecture inspires me too as I draw quite a lot of it in my illustrations particularly in my teapots and maps.
Volta: What is your favourite thing about Sheffield?
Vicky: All the parks and greenery. A lot of the city is very pretty and leafy and it’s easy to forget you are actually in a city (I love the Botanical Gardens, Ecclesall Woods, Endcliffe Park, Meersbrook Park, Hillsborough Walled Gardens).
Volta: What advice would you give an aspiring fellow creative who was wanting to break through to the next level?
Vicky: Try not to be disheartened by knock backs, make sure creating stays fun and find some other creatives to hang out with.
Sheffield Based Artist Vicky Scott
Want to find out a little more about Vicky and her work, here are links to her Website and Social Media accounts – enjoy!