Creating a supportive environment

This month, we celebrate the success of a relatively new artist, Violet. Violet joined Artbox in September 2019 after the passing of her mum whom she helped care for over many years. Grief is an inevitable part of life. The support of those around us can bring some relief at a time when loneliness and sadness are predominant. At Artbox, Violet says she found comfort in the therapeutic nature of art and in the friendships she gained from fellow artists and volunteers. Friendship and support are central to how we operate here at Artbox. Before each session, a few minutes are spent sharing about everyone’s week. We all go through difficult times and these precious moments help build a strong support system where everyone feels heard, which is so important for our wellbeing.

An important upside of creating a supportive environment is that it gives artists the confidence to freely express themselves creatively. Violet is a prime example of that. She describes herself as ‘an artist who likes colours, contrast and draw from different influences. I am interested in exotic, hot places and natural forms but also urban space and architecture. I use this inspiration to imagine surreal, fantasy landscapes and create images mostly using felt tips, but also paint and collage techniques.’

She continues, ‘I would describe my artistic style as bright and vivid and use colour and an impressionistic drawing style to convey the atmosphere of both natural and urban landscapes. To create my signature style I draw on a wide range of influences, from impressionism to cubism, constantly playing with perspective and space. In particular, I am inspired by Matisse, Picasso, the Fauvists and the Impressionists but am constantly finding inspiration in all forms of art.’

Her signature style owed her much praise at our last exhibition where she exhibited and sold her art for the first time. The beautiful piece was bought for the walls of a doctor’s surgery in West London, bringing a lovely bit of calm to a sometimes distressing setting.

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