As local artist, Lucy Stevens, gets ready to launch her latest exhibition at StudionAme, we caught up with her to find out about what inspired her to create the Blackbird collection.
How would you describe your upcoming exhibition?
It’s a collection of joyful, vibrant paintings celebrating the life cycle and changing seasons of the Blackbird. It’s a show for anyone that loves birds and bold colour. I wanted to make a new collection of paintings focused on the blackbird because it’s my favourite bird, I love their flutey song, striking appearance and character. I see blackbirds when walking my dog, Millie in the mornings, either singing from roof tops, trees, or foraging for food.
What inspired you with the collection?
It was a combination of things that came together at the same time. My love and curiosity of birds, walks in nature and my developing interest in the spiritual. This year I’ve been trying to connect with myself better by keeping a journal, pulling a tarot card whenever I feel the need for guidance, attending sound baths and reading more books/listening to podcasts on manifestation and mindset. A lot of the environments you’ll see in these paintings include houses, gardens and parks seen on my morning walks. Blackbirds are also very resilient birds and adjust their diet and behaviour throughout the year in response to the changing seasons and I find this fascinating and inspiring.
Tell us about your journey as an artist?
I studied Fine Art at Nottingham Trent University and then I got a studio space at StudionAme in Leicester, a community of around 30 artists in a shared building. It’s a lovely and generous environment to be in with so many different talented artists and craftspeople. I’ve had a lot of different jobs, working in marketing for the arts and university sector, assessing funding applications for Arts Council England, delivering workshops in galleries and schools, working front facing jobs in box offices and most recently working in the library at De Montfort University. I love the diversity and experience that different roles provide and they have all provided me with transferable skills that help me within my art career. I’ve also done a lot of group and solo exhibitions, art fairs and residencies which have all shaped the way I work as an artist and the subject matter that inspires me.
What advice would you give to other up and coming local artists?
If you can afford it, get an artist studio space to be around other creatives. If not, make a space at home. Be consistent and try to make going to the studio part of your weekly structure to build up momentum in your work. Go to exhibition previews and introduce yourself to other artists. Listen to art podcasts to find out how other artists overcome challenges and to get some tips. Try as much as you can and say yes to everything (within reason!) I’ve been to so many art fairs now that I know which ones work best for me and which ones to avoid based on what type of audience I want to attract. Offer to volunteer your time in galleries or to support other artists. This does pay off, especially when you gain valuable experience and need a reference/ a favour in future.
What are you most excited about with the upcoming launch?
I’m excited to see all the work together in one room. I always feel that I haven’t created enough work but once it’s installed it feels different. I’m looking forward to seeing what others’ reactions are too. This feels like a slightly different style to what I’ve done before so it’s always a bit nerve-wracking and exciting to see what people think.
When and where can people see the collection?
The show opens on Friday 25 April, 6pm – 9pm at StudionAme, 2 Brougham Street, Leicester LE1 2BA. It’s going to be a great preview with refreshments from Tollgate Brewery, the Queens Road Tap. The exhibition continues until Sunday 11 May. It is open Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, 3pm – 7pm. Weekends, 10am – 2pm and closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.
For more of Lucy’s artwork you can follow her on Instagram @lucyjostevens.