Local Artists

Long Meg and Her Daughters

What kind of artist would you describe yourself as?

Well most describe me as mystical or visionary with very strong Gothic overtones.

Where do you produce your best work?

Always inside my own studio and never in front of people! I always lock the door and have music on. I don't have to go anywhere because most of my work comes from my imagination.

Where did you get your talent from?

No idea! My mother said as soon as I could hold a crayon in my hand I never stopped drawing. My mother was quite artistic.

You are self-taught…do you ever wish you had stuck it out at Art College?

No, I did endure a brief stint at Art College but it was definitely not right for me. I found it restrictive and the lecturers domineering and narrow minded. It was a mistake for me but that's not to say it's not a good experience for others.

Would you ever consider teaching?

A lot of people have asked me that but I don't think I would because I wouldn't want to put my ideas onto someone else.

Stay Not On the Precipice

Of all your work – what is the piece that means the most to you?

Probably 'Stay Not On the Precipice'. It's a piece of work about death and rebirth and has a lot of symbolism which would take too long to explain here. It's a painting I would never sell.

What would you say you are best known for?

My earth light tree paintings and my moonlight.

What artists do you admire?

I love William Blake. He was a true visionary.

Do you ever buy work from other artists?

I haven't so far but I tend not to look that much at the work of other artists.

As an artist do you get invited to endless parties?

Yes. I get invited to all sorts of parties and private launches - it's a tough life! It is part of the job - it is fun but it can be tiring.

What’s the best private view you’ve done of your work?

Probably Cork Street Show in London - it was a very fabulous and exciting evening.

Where is your sanctuary?

My studio. There are other places, too, like Long Meg and her Daughters in Penrith and some other much less well known places.

Your favourite Lancashire place?

The Trough of Bowland, it's such a beautiful place and is somewhere I've known from childhood.

Ethidwyre

Can life be stressful as an artist?

Sometimes it can be. Being an artist is a bit of an emotional roller coaster though the stresses are maybe different from more conventional jobs.

Are you ever in your paintings?

Only in spirit.

How much can people buy an Anne Sudworth original for?

My originals ususally sell from around £2,000 to £18,000 and the smaller drawings from around £700 but you can purchase prints and greeting cards and books on my work, too.

Has the credit crunch affected sales?

We haven't noticed any drop in sales - if anything an increase. People seem to be investing in Fine Art.