Gillian Lee Smith

Season 1 Episode 3

In this third episode I chat with Gillian Lee Smith. It’s chock full of so many goodies! We begin by talking about her journey which started out in costume design and how that has led to her current work as a painter.

Along the way we discuss a love for research, layers within her work, starting art school in her early 30s, physical limits for certain types of work and how that led to painting, projects working with community groups and care homes, going full-time as an artist, the early days of online courses, mentoring and her art practice.

We move on to the role fishing communities, place and narrative play in her work. How her move to Northumberland transformed her relationship with the landscape and how she records it in drawings and paintings.The threads that connect her work whether it’s people, landscapes or boats. Plus a curiosity to explore and discover at the heart of her practice.

Then there are the realities of being a full-time artist. Creating outside of the commercial realm, how to support yourself if you go down this path, and keeping the work true to yourself. And through that finding the people who are deeply moved by what you do.

Finally we chat about setting up exhibitions and solo shows. And we wrap it up with exploring being proactive about finding more imaginative places to show work outside of galleries and traditional systems.

Three wonderful words that came up during our chat: research, resonate, and ruminate!

Find out more about Gillian’s beautiful artwork, her courses, and mentoring:

Website:

https://www.gillianleesmithartist.com

On Insta:

@gillianleesmithartist - https://www.instagram.com/gillianleesmithartist/

Also with big thanks:

This episode has been made possible with funding from the Arts Council England as part of a DYCP grant I received.