Profile: Connie Simmers
by allthebest • 12 May ’08 • art, profile, Scotland • 5 Comments
‘Lock Gate’ (acrylic on canvas)
I am crazy for the work of Scottish artist Connie Simmers. Based in Kilearn, near Loch Lomond, Connie’s beautiful work has been exhibited throughout Britain.
Born and educated in Glasgow, Connie took advantage of non-diploma courses offered at the Glasgow School of Art. She attended the art school from 1981 to 1983, began exhibiting in 1984 and had her first solo show in 1989.
Connie’s work graces many public and private collections across Europe. I hope to have one in my own home someday. I think her work would look brilliant in our hallway. I especially love ‘Lock Gate’ – stunning!
‘Highland Smoke House’ (mixed media on board)
What artists, historical or contemporary, do you most admire?
Historical: Picasso, Tapies, Chagall, Matisse, Diebenkorn, Nicolas de Stael, Joan Eardley. Contemporary: Jimmy Robertson, Barbara Rae
What inspires your art and ideas?
Travel has played a large part – an excuse to use colour. I always try to see subject matter differently. I like shapes and colour i.e. harbours, urban material and people.
What is your most prized possession?
My home
What is the one thing in life you can’t live without?
My family and my car
‘Graffiti Man‘ (acrylic on canvas)
What is your greatest accomplishment to date?
Scottish Arts Club prize, Visual Arts Club prize and represented at National 50 Over 50 Exhibition at Brighton.
What is your idea of earthly happiness?
A good marriage, a happy family and contentment.
Who are your favorite heroes of fiction?
Atticus in To Kill a Mocking Bird. Jung Chang in Wild Swans. Shirin Ebadi in Iran Awakening. Charlotte Gray by Sebastian Faulks.
‘Cloths Drying in the Wind, West Africa‘ (mixed media on board)
What books are on your bedside table?
A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. The Pillars of Hercules by Paul Theroux.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
The surprises – maybe an unexpected sale – winning a prize in an open exhibition – meeting people in art world – dealing with galleries.
Profile by Ronda Carman
ALL ART/PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT OF THE ARTIST
Love this interview, especially the answer for “earthly happiness.” I could agree more.
The last picture is my favorite:)
Thanks Melissa, I think Connie has the right idea too!
Thanks for introducing me to yet another wonderful artist.
I love Atticus in Mocking Bird, too…
Nice work, good choice in picking Jimmy robertson as a contemporary you like.
We both had “gates” on our mind – in our Monday posts. Love the freedom that we artists have to portray our vision! I love that this artist paints with a loose and free-spirit. Her works have that “wet” quality that it was just freely painted and not painstakingly executed. Now that is an art!