Q & A with Jennifer Louise Martin

Maybe the starting point of Jennifer Louise Martin's paintings is the artist's response to our society's preoccupation with beauty and perfection. I first became aware of her work at The Other Art Fair on The Southbank. To read her full biography and c.v visit her website:
http://www.jenniferlouisemartin.com/

(Above image: "Beauty is an Affliction part One" Acrylic on canvas, 240 x 180cm, 2011).
The Rebel magazine was delighted she was up for answering a few questions about her work...
Harry Pye: Where did you grow up and what was you introduction to art? Can you remember which painting it was the first grabbed your attention?
Jennifer: "I grew up in London and remember art having a profound effect on me when I was 15. It was my art teacher who inspired me and nurtured my creativity. The first ever painting that grabbed me was when I was on a trip to New York with Central St. Martins, on my Foundation course. We went to see Jenny Saville's work and I was mesmerised by her large scale canvases."
Where did you study and were there any particular books or exhibitions that you think helped you grow as an artist?
"I studied twice at Central St Martins and have also done a Bsc in Psychology and Neuroscience at Leeds University. The Sensation exhibition was one that I found revolutionary and inspiring. It helped me think of ideas more diversely. Also the Rothko room at the Tate, with regards to painting, I found his work sensational and very evocative."
Which of your own paintings do you feel most proud of?
"My most recent one, Beauty is an Affliction I and II. I did these in Berlin and they are my biggest canvases to date. I found a passion for huge scale canvases and I am very happy with the painting which is not usual. I am always happiest with the paintings i haven't done yet."
Do you often just sit and stare at your work? Do strange things happen to you in your studio?
"YES! lots, I think I spend longer staring than painting sometimes. Strange things happen because I have a clock with no hands in my studio so it is like a time warp, I can paint for hours on end and not know what day or time it is. I also go a bit manic when I paint."
It's very hard for painters to make money and stay afloat do you ever wish you'd never got involved in art and that you'd become a dentist or lawyer instead?
"Never. Its a necessity to paint for me."
>Do you ever paint when either distressed, highly emotional or drunk?
"Sometimes, I dont drink, so it is usually in times of post distress or low mood."
>Are there any living painters around that you think are much better than you?
"Many that have plenty more years of experience. Marlene Dumas is my painting heroine."
Could you ever marry and/or have children with someone who wasn't that crazy about the paintings you made?
"They would have to like them, because if they didnt it would mean they wouldnt like me!"
Which people have helped you the most? If you were handed the Turner Prize or a similar award who would definately be getting a mention in your thank you list?
"My parents, they have supported me over the years and provided me with a home and a garage to live/paint over the past 10 years. And of course my art teacher at secondary school for recognising my talent."
Do you think the world we're living in is wonderful?
"I think the world itself and the creation of the world is wonderful, but I wouldn't necessarily say the everyday world we live in is wonderful. It can be though....."

(Above image: "Vanity Fairest", oil on canvas, 48 x 64")

Billy Childish in the new issue of The Rebel magazine

Artist, musician and gentleman Billy Childish kindly agreed to answer 99 of Harry Pye's questions for the latest issue of The Rebel.

Billy (who once turned down thousands of pounds to appear on a I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here) was happy to answer whatever question Harry threw at him.
The cover of this new Rebel has been designed by Billy and Steve Lowe of L-13

and it comes with a free limited edition exclusive Billy Childish gestetner print. Only 99 editions of this publication have been made. Each one comes in an envelope signed by Billy. They are only available to buy at Harry & Jasper's 99p Art Store at The Other Art Fair.

(Like the other 98 items in Harry & Jasper's store)this special issue of The Rebel will be on sale for just ninety nine pence.
Miss it and miss out. There will be a limit on how many copies of The Rebel each visitor can buy. If you're a Billy Childish fan you will not want to miss out on a chance to get your hands on this magazine.
There are free tickets for The Other Art Fair available on their website but you have to RSVP. See you on thursday...

Twenty 45s

Here are a selection of the singles which will be available for 99p each at Harry & Jasper's 99p Store at The Other Art Fair...

(Above: The Rolling Stones)

(Above: Dexy's Midnight Runners)

(Above: The Fun Boy 3)

(Above: Tom Jones)

(Above: Marty Wilde)

(Above: The Streets)

(Above: Adam Faith)

(Above: Dizzy Gillespie)

(Above: Cilla Black)

(Above: Prince)

(Above: Blondie)

(Above: Rod Stewart)

(Above: Charles Aznavore)

(Above: Everly Bros)

(Above: R. Dean Taylor)

(Above: Kevin Rowland & Dexys)

(Above: Elvis)

(Above: Cliff Richard)

(Above: Beatles)

(Above: Jimmy Nail)

Q & A with Ryan Stanier

The Other Art Fair opens at 5pm on Thursday 24th of November at The Bargehouse. (Tickets are available through the website: theotherartfair.com)
The Other Art Fair provides "a fresh, open platform to connect art buyers of all tastes and experience directly with young, emerging artists before they are signed. Visitors can buy direct from 100 of the UK's best unrepresented artists. All artists chosen by our selection committee of experts 1,000+ pieces to buy from £100 - Not just an art fair, an art experience – loads of fun and interactive activities. Located next to the iconic OXO Tower."
Rebel magazine had a few questions for the fair's director: Mr Ryan Stanier...

The Rebel: What's the Ryan Stanier story - where are you from, what's your background?
Ryan: "Not that exciting a story I am afriad, grew up in Surrey, went to Kingston Business School. I can pinpoint the time when art really became central to my life. I went to see a Russian Art exhibition at the V & A whilst I was still at school and was just blown over by it."

How did you get to be a director of an art fair?
"I have a background in running succesfull exhibitions and events in Fashion, Wine and Art as well as running Pop-Up galleries featuring graduate artists so I guess the Other Art Fair is the marriage of the two."

What's your favourite gallery and what's the best art show you've ever seen?
"The Josh Lilley Gallery or Saatchi. The latter because I think he has a similar ethos of looking for new talent. Best exhibition would be the Russian one I mentioned previously purely because it changed my life."

Do you think going to art school is always the best route an artist can take? Do you have any advice for young people who feel that making art is what they should do with their life but are unsure of how to pay the bills?
"Depends really – I think they most important this is to do what you love. I think that is what I admire most about artists, their love is their work despite the difficulties they face. They don’t become artists they are artists that are constantly evolving."

What do you like most about London? Can you describe a perfect day in the capital?
"The energy of London - perfect day...I guess Breakfast in Primrose Hill, Watch Brentford beat Man Utd followed by celebratory drinks and dinner in the Owl and the Pussycat in Shoreditch."

Are you a bitter man? Are there things that happened to you in your early years you feel angry about?
"Definitely not bitter. Having only just turned 30 I think I’ll need another 10 years to think about it!"

Name some of your favourite films, CDs, plays, brands
"True Romance – Quintin Tarantino, Hendrix, led zeppelin, Anna Calvi,
Dizzee Rascals first album."

Tell us about the Other Art Fair team. Who are the people who helped you make your art fair dreams a reality?
"I think any successful event is based on teamwork rather than an individual and I have been lucky enough to have an incredible team of Sarah, Erica and Georgia that have been there since the beginning."

What next for Ryan Stanier? Do you have a 5 year plan or dreams of world domination?
"Yes – World domination by The Other Art Fair is a definite plan!I would love to go international but first we are going to make the Other Art Fair a success here in the UK. We have so much talent here in the UK that I want to focus on that for the moment."