Sophie Klerk
Which 3 words best define how you would like your art to be perceived?
INSPIRATIONAL, BALANCED and REFLECTIVE
What creative challenge have you faced and overcome that has transformed your art practice?
When I have felt stuck and lost in my work I have learnt to overcome it by persisting. I just keep on showing up in my studio every day reminding myself to trust the process. I realised that by putting less pressure and focus on the final result I could move. Good work takes time and one success contains many failures.
What tools do you use as part of the preliminary stages of your process?
I find inspiration in many different things and I always carry a notebook in my bag where I write down everything from a quote to the name of a color. I also like to collect things and go for long walks and
get inspired by what I see and feel on my way.
How do you usually start an art session - any habits or rituals ?
A coffee, a walk, a quiet meditative moment, and looking at what I made the day before.
How do you deal with doubts and fears?
I remind myself to have fun and be light. I find that reading inspiring and interesting books and articles also helps.
With what intentions do you infuse your art making?
My work is a dialogue between myself and the materials I have collected over the years. I love exploring the interaction between different papers, colours, shades and textures, thread, paint and photos. The composed and stitched together collages often refer to the prior use of material and inspire me to capture a sense of beauty, new purpose and meaning.
Where do you draw your color inspiration from ?
I am naturally drawn to more subtle colours and tones which might have something to do with my nordic background, personality and moods. I love the faded, old and broken and I guess there is a natural colour palette that fits into that world. I also like combining colours and textures and draw inspiration from my surroundings.
What brilliant piece of advice were you given on your creative journey and would be happy to share?
I was once told by a clever old man that everything each of us do is important. It sounds simple but it really made me stop questioning and justify why I was making art and instead accept and appreciate the path
I have chosen.
What is something absurd that you love doing ?
When I try too hard and work too long on a piece and I am clearly not in a good creative flow, I sometimes close my eyes for a few seconds and work blindfolded.. it sounds crazy but it makes me feel more relaxed and less serious.
What do you like about your work and what do you dislike about it?
I love exploring and the feeling of a piece coming together. I appreciate when people connect with my work and it touches something in them. I dislike when I get caught up in a detail and feel stuck and wonder if I will ever be able to move on.
What do you tell yourself to keep out of procrastination?
I remind myself of the time when our twins were just born and we had 3 children under 2, and the only way I could manage was by NOT procrastinating. I simply had to get on with what ever was in front of me otherwise everything piled up and I never knew what the next day and night would be like. It was chaotic, crazy and at times a bit of a blurr but it really taught me just to get on with things.
