Tessa Thonett
Please can you tell us about your background and upbringing?
I was raised in a lovely old C16th farmhouse in Hampshire, with an older brother (away at school most of the time) and 2 sisters. I'm a 3rd gen artist, as my grandfather on my Mum's side was an accomplished artist, as was my mother (she attended the Ruskin school of art in Oxford). My Dad was also creative, painting as a hobby, carving heads in wood and writing poetry.
Mum always said that I was painting even inside her womb, as art was such an important thing to me all my life. I never bothered to tell anyone that after school I was going to art school, because it was so obvious to me that it was the only option. After a bit of a battle with my dad, who wanted me to be able to support myself in life, I won and went to Farnham Art School for my foundation course - an incredibly exciting and full foundation year, including 3D plasterwork and resin work, silkscreen, photography (learning how to work in the dark room), as well as drawing and painting, all with very enthusiastic and experienced teachers. A really brilliant and exciting year.
From there I went to Chelsea Art School, studying graphics for 3 years (my compromise with my dad - something I have, until recently, regretted as I wanted to do fine art at the time). Quite an exciting time to be on the King's Rd in the early 70's though! I would study graphics during the day and then go home and paint portraits throughout the night - having friends over who would be writing poetry, or playing the guitar, etc while I painted. Everywhere I went I had a sketchbook and drew people. People always fascinated me, especially faces.
Did you make art as a child?
Yes, all the time - it was 2nd nature. I wrote and illustrated books when I could only just write. I painted all the time. It was normal for me to draw and paint and I was especially encouraged by my Mum.
What is your earliest memory associated with art?
I was always drawing at home, but at primary school the head teacher had me draw pretty pictures in the staff room, while everyone else was learning maths, etc! (so the school had nice things on the walls when the inspectors came round!). At my next school I had really brilliant art teachers who really helped me forward, guiding my work and giving me confidence as I was in awe of them and they were always praising my work, putting it up, etc. A good confidence booster.
Please could you tell us who or what has had the most significant influence on you as an artist.
I've never thought about that, but have always loved Modiglianni. I have been thirsty, always looking at all portrait painters and their different styles. There is something about the 'graphic-ness' of Modiglianni and other painters like Matisse or Chegall which I have always loved.
Please describe your practice for us in 3 adjectives
Colourful, emotive, figurative
What is your artist muse? Your inspiration.
The human face
What motivates you?
The bubbling up desire to be painting, that comes from deep within. It's like I am breathing properly when I paint. I've gone through times in my life when I have not painted, while trying to make money in other ways, doing other things that I enjoy - but there's no comparison. The moment I get back to painting, it's like I am home - as I said, like I am able to breathe again.
Please can you talk to us in detail about one piece of artwork.
I suppose I could talk about many of my portraits, but the one I'll talk about is of a girl with dark hair.
She was someone I met in London before lockdown when we used to go and listen to a lot of music and made many musician friends. She is a drummer and when she is drumming she looks like she does in the painting - confident and happy. But when she isn't drumming she is extremely timid and shy, with lowered eyes and hiding from the world. I was happy to be able to catch her at her best - when she is strong and confident looking.
It was also at a time when I had moved on from painting with paint brushes onto using palette knives, as I was finding myself getting too fiddly and too 'tight' in my painting and using only palette knives was a good challenge to break away into a free-er kind of painting - always a challenge for me!
Please could you tell us about the piece of artwork you are most proud of, and why.
Probably the piece I am most proud of is a painting I did of my daughter after she had just had her baby. She had gone through 70 hrs of labour and was beyond exhausted. I like the marks and what they portray...and the overall 'feel' and balance of the painting.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
The best thing about being an artist is that I feel like I am being completely myself, searching to express myself in new ways and grow within the medium (I use oils). I have experimented with expressing myself through abstract painting, which actually brought a whole traumatic time of my life (a time I had buried), up to the surface and away, so I was able to be liberated and free from that 'me too' trauma, through painting. But I am always happiest painting faces, discovering new ways to express what I see.
And the worst..!?
The worst thing about being an artist is not being able to (up until now!) make a living from it.
What advice would you give to those aspiring to make a living out of art?
I don't have any substantial advice at this time, except believe in your dream! I know that when we truly believe something is possible, it can materialise - so we shouldn't get bogged down by 'reality' but keep the vision of the life you want!
What is the most important thing to know about you?
One important thing I've discovered about myself is that I know and trust in my sincerity - something quite hard for anyone who is pretty sensitive. I wouldn't know if it is the most important thing - it depends where you are coming from! Another important thing to know about me (to me) is that I found my soulmate and that we are able to work so smoothly and happily in collaboration with each other, no mean feat for artists!
Please tell us one unexpected thing about yourself.
I had four beautiful children by cesarean, while living in Brazil, where I lived for 16 years. i've lived on 4 continents and spent 30 yrs outside of the UK.