Yvonne Ayoub
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Yvonne Ayoub
1stAngel: When did you first become interested in art? Yvonne: ) It was never a ‘conscious’ decision – it’s always been part of who I am. I have always been keenly observant of the world around me and fascinated by colour and texture. I have a far-reaching memory and as young as 18 months I distinctly remember three separate occasions when I was totally spell-bound: once by the soft fluffy seed heads of dandelion flowers blowing in the wind around my head, another time when saw the beautiful deep purple of beetroot juice in a glass bowl, bathed in sunlight streaming in through our dining room window and once by the exotic ‘oil on puddle’ spectrum of colours on a blue-bottle’s wing. Apparently I then tried to eat it too – but I have no recollection of that! (although that could explain a few things!) 1stAngel: What made you choose the style of art you use most? Yvonne: Again, it was never a ‘choice’ – my style (if indeed I have only one!) must have just evolved naturally. 1stAngel: Has your style changed from when you first began as an artist? Yvonne: My style changes all the time! I came across my very first art book the other day (my mother keeps EVERYTHING!) and I found this self-portrait I’d drawn when I was about 4 or 5 (I’d like to think my style has matured somewhat since then!)
1stAngel: What medium do you use? Yvonne: I work in a wide variety of media. It very much depends on the subject matter and my mood 1stAngel: What made you choose that medium? Yvonne: Pen and ink is always a favourite when I feel the need to produce something highly detailed, such as an architectural portrait:
or intricate design. I use acrylics if I’m in a hurry to capture the brilliance of colours in, say, a rapidly changing landscape or seascape:
and oils if I can afford to work at a more leisurely pace:
I experiment all the time with all sorts of techniques when I just want to have fun and feel particularly creative but have no end set product in mind. Recently I’ve been dabbling in digital art – the possibilities are infinite but I think I’ll always prefer to work with a paintbrush (and paint!) on my hands. 1stAngel: Do your ideas come from life or imagination? Yvonne: Nearly always from life, or at least something I’ve actually experienced and seen with my own eyes. 1stAngel: How do you choose your images and colours? Yvonne: I look, look and LOOK again! 1stAngel: Who is your favourite artist? Yvonne: Gosh, I defy any Libran to be able to give a short answer to that one! I could list at least 50 and provide 50 different reasons for choosing any of them! They range from the Great Masters, the Impressionists and Contemporary artists. If I absolutely HAD to choose just one, then it would probably be Turner (or Rembrandt or Goya, or Degas or Monet or Lucien Freud or…..!) Over the years my favourites have constantly changed depending on where I am in my life and what I’m inspired by, at any given time. I know, rather, what I don’t like and that is anything I can’t really relate to on any level. Although I’m a great traditionalist and probably favour ‘representational’ art, in whatever form, above all other, I can however always appreciate exceptional technique and boundary-breaking innovation when I see it, if I’m ‘moved’ in some way, by a particular piece of work – regardless of whether I ‘like’ or ‘understand’ it, or not. 1stAngel: What is your favourite piece of work by yourself? Yvonne: I don’t have a favourite; each one is a favourite until I complete the next one. I suppose the one that was most enjoyable to do was this one:
I had just returned from Morocco and my head was still reeling with an over-load of new stimuli. It was THE most inspirational place I’d visited in a long time and I can see the incredibly vibrant colours, smell the intoxicating aromas and hear the glorious cacophony of sounds even now – more than a year on. 1stAngel: Have you had exhibits in galleries? Yvonne: Most of my work is commissioned so it rarely sees a gallery wall. My murals live on public walls (such as the series of ‘Arabic’ paintings I was commissioned to paint for a Middle Eastern Restaurant ‘La Fontana ‘ in Central London ). I do exhibit annually on Skiathos, island, Greece – my second home.
1stAngel: Have you any exhibits in galleries planned for the future? Yvonne: This year, as usual, it will be held on the ‘Bourtzi’ in Skiathos town, in the week of August 14 th , as part of the annual‘Mary’s (Feast) Day celebrations. 1stAngel: What are your plans for the future? Yvonne: As well as continuing to paint as much as possible, I am currently in the process of setting up an Art Centre on Skiathos (where my family has had a home for the past 30 years). Its purpose is many-fold. Initially, the idea was born out of a desire to provide a permanent venue for local artists to meet, discuss and display their work. Once the Mayor’s interest was aroused, its objective broadened to providing a home to showcase local, traditional folk art and crafts and an opportunity for young Skiathetes to study and perpetuate their rich cultural heritage (which is in real danger of disappearing as Skiathos becomes an increasingly popular tourist resort). Now the concept has expanded again, to include Art tuition and Creative Workshops to all, (islanders and visitors alike – of all levels of ability). Classes will be run by both my self and local and visiting tutors, each accomplished in their own particular field of speciality, from icon painting:
to rug-weaving. It is a very exciting project and I am thrilled to be instrumental in its realisation. The first classes are scheduled to run this May. Full details can be found here: http://paintingskiathos.wordpress.com/ That was excellent. I wish you every success with the gallery! Thank you Yvonne for allowing me the interview. You can view Yvonne’s gallery HERE Website: HERE
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