13 Jun Louise Jannetta Interview 2023
Versatile local artist Louise Jannetta is known for her series of paintings depicting trees and woodlands inspired by the landscape around her studio in Buxton in Derbyshire. She is currently also creating abstract work, concentrating on patterns and textures and playing with light.
We sat down with Louise for an interview about her solo exhibition ‘Enjoy the Journey’ which included a live demo at the gallery for the opening on Saturday 3rd June. We asked these questions to give you an insight into the meaning behind her paintings and how she finds inspiration as an artist.
Louise publishes various tutorials on YouTube to demonstrate her creative skills and techniques, like in the video below:
1. What are your biggest artistic influences?
Firstly, I really like the philosophy of new materialism, because it talks about the value of the power of nature and I really believe there’s a massive influence from nature on us all. Trees have been proven to make us feel better, so if there’s a tree in a street environment, it makes us feel better or even trees/plants in a hospital.
But for artists: there’s Hughie O’Donoghue, because of his myths and humanity. Tina Marais because of her evocation of forms of nature, the complexity and fundamental physics, the way it forms all these patterns that exist throughout physics.
I love the lines of Joan Zardley. Kiefer Rothco, Kapoor and Richter have all got lovely references to the materialism of paint, and I really like that.
2. Where do you find inspiration?
Again, it’s the new materialism and the power held within inanimate objects, very much about the presence of earth itself, of soil, the ever changing fluid aspect of nature, the way that light and nature and environment changes constantly. Within that I really like the labour intensive quality, both of nature and references to woman’s work and embroidery which is very labour intensive. So much has been put into it, and so much love and attention has been given to it, that it shows through in the work, that it’s something that’s so incredibly complex and involved and a labour of love.
3. How has your art evolved over time to it’s current form?
It’s a continual exploration of texture and colour through paint, and I often consider it to be like playing with mud, or the earth. The pigments of oil paints are made out of minerals so they are actually ‘of the earth’, and I think that there’s a fundamental tie to the earth because we ourselves are made out of the earth. I really partly think that my love of it all is a bit like playing with mud pies.
4. What motivates you to create?
I do a great deal of experimentation and it’s the journey and challenge that really drives me, the challenge of a new approach, the balance of light or colour. I love playing with it and trying to find how you can stretch it and make it really mean something.
Also I really love texture, so texture adds to the haptic quality and it references touch and like light, or smell, can evoke really strong memories. It’s one of those senses that we forget are so important, so fundamental for our emotional needs through love, but it’s also through heat of sunshine on your skin, or running your hand through grass. I find that a really necessary part of our existence.
5. Is there a specific environment or material that’s integral to your work?
My work is a lateral enquiry into a deep respect of the environment, both nature and urban. Although I live in the Peak District, and nature is obviously my immediate influence, I also love the overlooked grit of the urban environment and the very human side of city life.
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