BBC Interview with artist Susanne du Toit

[von Lucky]

After reading the great article on the Helsinki Bus Station Theory, I came across this BBC interview with artist Susanne du Toit.

Top 10 Tips: Award-winning artist Susanne du Toit:
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-27051743

Susanne du Toit won last year's BP Portrait Prize, one of the UK's most prestigious visual arts awards.

The South African artist studied at the University of Pretoria and then at the Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, before moving to England in 1994.

She works in a number of different mediums, but specialises in portraits which she paints in her studio in Berkshire. She describes her art as "an intensely individual experience" and says the meaning is personal, before it is public.

Here are her top 10 tips for being an artist.

1. Surround yourself with like-minded people
2. Find the art form that you love the most
3. Be able to endure working alone
4. Accept your limitations
5. Know your subjects
6. Don't rush, take your time
7. Use photos to help you, but don't work from them alone
8. Be prepared for people not always liking your work
9. Paint for yourself and be honest
10. Remember what is important to you and pursue that

It's relevant to what we do in our hobby; wargaming (at times) is an artform, demonstrated by what we see on LAF day in, day out.

[Mr. Peabody]

Aye. We don't have to be great artists, but that don't mean we can't fully enjoy the satisfaction of creating something.

Also, it's an important truth that toys are the best kind of art.

[von Lucky]

I just stabbed myself with a pin vice while drilling out 15mm Ancient Greek hands. Thinking of possibly getting lead poisoning and being an artist to die for his work. How pious we are!

[carlos marighela]

Yes but it's only romantic if you did that in a Parisian garret.

WARNING: Cutting an ear off with an Exacto craft knife will not raise the resale price of 28mm Macedonians on ebay and you'll look bloody silly when you roll up for work come Monday.

[Mr. Peabody]

Ah, the suffering for ones art. Poisoning and vice, risk of amputation and run-ins with romantically inclined, garrotte wielding Parisians... We should get danger pay.

WARNING: Cutting an ear off with an Exacto craft knife will not raise the resale price of 28mm Macedonians on ebay and you'll look bloody silly when you roll up for work come Monday.

It only works years after you die, some other bugger will sound an 'art alert' and make a load of cash off of your Macedonian's. 

[Cubs]

WARNING: Cutting an ear off with an Exacto craft knife will not raise the resale price of 28mm Macedonians on ebay and you'll look bloody silly when you roll up for work come Monday.

An especially poor decision if you also wear glasses, since they won't sit straight.

[carlos marighela]

An especially poor decision if you also wear glasses, since they won't sit straight.

Now you understand the popularity of the Optivisor in modelling circles.