SOPHIE HARDING

I usually begin my work by making sketches. I like to work from life initially and feature items which are personal and familiar and have meaning for me.

I sometimes have an idea of the palette I’m aiming to use and then other times I’ll work intuitively and see what evolves. Often I layer up paint due to colour combinations not quite balancing out. I frequently amend past work which I’m not happy with which gives the final piece interest, layers and ghosts of past workings showing through.

I’m inspired by living in Cornwall. I love visiting the Barbara Hepworth Gardens in St Ives, the Tate and local independent galleries in Cornwall. I have an increasing collection of art books which are fantastic for inspiration- books on Matisse, William Scott, Kate Nicholson, Ben Nicholson, Ken Done, Patrick Heron and many more.

Sophie Harding studied Art and Design Foundation at Bournemouth College of Art and has a BA in Fashion and Textile Design from Central St Martins. Her work has been shown in galleries and spaces including New Craftsman Gallery, Liberty London and Morgans, Falmouth.

“I’m a fan of painting domestic objects - I have a collection of ceramics that I incorporate into my work. My son has made some beautiful pots and I’ve made a few clumsy cups which I’ve included in some of my still life paintings.”