Altblackpool’s Linda Hampton interrupted artist Sam Jayne Simpson as she prepared for her upcoming exhibition at Urban Arts Studio in St Annes to get an insight into her work.
Q: You have titled your exhibition ‘Lost in Music’. Can you tell me why?
A: Dancing is my passion. I express my love for dance through my artwork. Dancing is what makes me feel good. In my artwork I try to capture the moment in time when the dancer is lost in music.
Q: What came first for you? Art or Dance?
A: Dance definitely came first. I’ve been dancing for 20 years although I’m not a trained dancer. Then I did my degree in Fine Art and Professional Practice and had my first exhibition in 2015.
Q: What or who are you inspired by?
A: My art is inspired by dance and how it makes me feel. Dancing makes me live in the moment and I want to share that with others and share the energy that is generated. I have worked in collaboration with local street dance company FY Wingz. That has been inspirational. It’s a joy to be with such happy people.
Q: Are you now what you always wanted to be?
A: I am always moving forward. I’m always looking to be inspired. I believe in the Law of Attraction and I believe that Life is all about feeling good.
Q: What prompted you to invite a poet to perform live at your live art launch at Urban Arts Studio?
A: I came to the launch of the last exhibition here, artist Kate Eggleton Wirtz invited poets to respond to some of her artwork. It was a great idea so I decided to do likewise. I have known Joy France and her work for a while and have great respect for what she does. (You can check her out on You Tube)
Q: If people come along on the opening night what can they expect to experience?
A: I’ll be doing a live paint at 7.15pm. I have prepared the canvas and the outline drawing and added some colour already but on the night everyone can have a go at adding the splashes with acrylic paint. Be prepared for a few splashes on yourselves as well. At 8pm Joy France will be reading her poetry in response to my work. Then there will be music from Soul Food DJs playing northern soul, funk, Mod, Ska and 60s beats. We’re having a party!
Q: Do you have a favourite time to paint?
A: Not really but I recently painted a commission of Nitai and Gouranga for my Krishna family. In my mid 20s I was a nun in the Hare Krishna Temple. I wanted to complete this work for them in good time so ended up painting till 4am. I wouldn’t normally work in the early hours but I really enjoyed so I might start doing that more.
Q: What drives you to paint?
A: To express myself and how I feel. I can only say it’s cathartic. It gets all my stresses out.
Q: You run a very successful dance based project, ‘We love dancing! Come join us!’ How did that come about?
A: I successfully obtained funding from the Arts Council and Preston City Council to deliver creative movement workshops for adults and children with special needs, dementia sufferers, young people, and recovering addicts. I help people to let go, express themselves and be in the moment.
Sam Jayne Simpson’s exhibition, Lost in Music, opens on 6th July at Urban Arts Studio with her live launch night at 7pm till late. Be there if you can and join the party – venue info.
You can view Sam’s artwork throughout July at this eclectic and welcoming venue at the following times:
Cafe Bar opening times:
Tuesdays 14.00 -18.00
Wednesdays 1400 – 1830
Thursday 1730 – 2300
Friday 1900 – 0100
Saturday 1900 – 0100
Closed Sunday and Monday
Urban Arts Studio
11-12 Whiteside Buildings
Back St Annes Road West
Lytham St Annes
FY8 1RD
Enquiries
Tel: 07931113855
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