We sat down with world-renowned fantasy painter (and now Moment creator) Josephine Wall to discuss her inspirations and how she felt seeing her artwork in app for the first time…
What’s your background and how did you become an artist?
Ever since I can remember I have been obsessed with colour, form, and any kind of creativity. So, it was little wonder that I became an artist. In fact, in my infants school we were each given little boxes of wax crayons for ‘drawing time’, and even now the smell of wax crayons will bring back the memory of the intense happiness I felt. It has been a dream come true to do what I love every day, and it gives me so much joy that others gain pleasure from my paintings also.
How would you describe your own work?
My work has evolved over the years from seascapes, landscapes and portraits to what some people have described as “art of imagination”, in which I use my work to portray a message or a story. I like to make my paintings interesting and fun. I love colour and fantasy, and really enjoy every hour at my easel.
Who are your biggest influences?
I am influenced by many late ‘masters’ including, the surrealism of Salvador Dali, the romanticism of the Pre-Raphaelites, and the illustrative skill of Arthur Rackham. I love art nouveau especially the work of Alphonse Mucha. I have always been fascinated with the ‘weird and wonderful’ and love putting strange unrelated images together (like the surrealists).
Where do you seek inspiration?
I am often asked this questions and the answer is “everywhere”. We live in an extraordinary and beautiful world where the constantly variable weather and seasons are themselves inspiring. As well as the natural world there are fantasy and historical books, films and beautiful music to allow one to dream.
What keeps you creative?
I was born creative and it has become an all-consuming obsession.
What do you do if you ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut?
I have never been stuck in a creative rut. I am fortunate to be able to say I never have any kind of block. I always have more ideas than time to paint them.
Talk us through your creative process
I like to use acrylics, which allow me to paint quickly, creating many textured and colourful effects. I paint under a pyramid shaped wooden ceiling which some say channels creativity. Time is one of my greatest enemies – there are never enough hours in the day to paint all the images in my head. My notebook is always at hand to jot down ideas and draw little sketches as reminders. As well as painting I also like sculpture, pottery, murals and painting furniture. I even find myself painting my own clothes and boots.
What memorable responses have you had about your work?
Sometimes people have been moved to tears which I find amazing.
What’s the one piece of equipment in your kit your couldn’t live without?
I couldn’t do without my easel which my dad bought for me at an auction sale many years ago.
How did you feel when you first saw your work published in the Momentful app?
Being not at all a technical person myself (I have an old mobile but it’s only for emergencies) I was mostly amazed at what skills it must take to work with images like mine and translate them into this type of form, with motion and text and such…it’s completely foreign to me!
Which is your favourite Moment of yours that’s available in app?
I thought it was very clever how the designers took “Dewdrop Dawn” and made it into a multi-part, engaging meditation exercise.
Explore Moments from Josephine Wall by downloading the Momentful app today on iOS and Android. Josephine is represented by Creative Rights Group.
