Interview with artist Susi Nightingale whose exhibition 'Loose Women' is now showing

This is your first exhibition at the Flavel. Have you exhibited in other local venues?
SN: I have had quite a few exhibitions in the past - in Totnes, Exeter, Bristol, Stoke Fleming, Blackawton and Copenhagen - but not for a few years.

Your work focuses on women and children. What is your fascination with this relationship?
SN: Yes it does - though this exhibition is called 'Loose Women', and I have enjoyed playing around with the concept of loose women and a relatively unfussy painting style. When you strip people of clothing and decoration, we are all the same construction underneath.
I am as interested in the end product as I am in the process of developing art to keep yourself sane.
I feel that we all have a strong connection to art as children, and it is important to keep this connection as you get older - keep your ability to play, enjoy and live in the here and now.

Is working in oil on canvas your preferred medium?
SN: At the moment it is, along with pen and ink and water colours. I like the permanence of oils, and the way you can work with colour for days before they set.
I do like experimenting with different media and have done etchings, lino cuts, batik painting, ceramic work and ink and water colours too.

How do you start with an idea for a painting? Do you sketch first, for example?
SN: I start in lots of different ways: I love life drawing, sketching from real life and then manipulating the image to fit your idea. I might also have an idea in a dream, a concept I wish to get across or equally let a piece of artwork develop in its own way.

You live and work in Devon; how did you come to settle here from Denmark?
SG: Well...I fell in love with an Englishman. We met in Copenhagen and lived there for a while, and then decided to move to Devon. Luckily, I fell in love with his country along the way...

Are you working on any exciting new projects?
SN: I have been working towards this exhibition up to today, so I am quite excited about it.
I am planning to do some more indigo batik work in the next year, and would also like to experiment with making marks on metal. I like the actual plates that you do etchings on, and might experiment with this.

Who inspires you?
SN: I am inspired by the work of Banksy reflecting on our present day society.
Also Anne Mortimer's connection with the natural wild life around her, and Grayson Perry's genius.