Judith Farr is an artist from London who is based in Spain. Keywords that inform her work include chaos and contrast. An ongoing investigation of colour and texture is carried out principally through combining unexpected elements and to some extent managing the resulting chaos.

 

Materials that are found or easily accessible are assembled together with a wide range of media to create works that reside somewhere between sculpture and painting.  

 

Carrie: What is your earliest creative memory?

Making houses for dolls in shoe boxes.

Carrie: How would you describe your art?

Managed or organized chaos, dynamic, unapologetic.

Carrie: Can you describe the evolution of your artistic style? (Have you always made art with this unique vision or what was your turning point into recognizing this style was your authentic “you”?)

I have not always made art in the way I am making it now, it has taken a long time to allow myself to love my own work and not make work based on what other people might think or like. I became a mother and everything changed, it was a release whilst being the greatest challenge I’ve ever faced.

Carrie: What does your workspace look like?

It’s a cluttered space full of potential combinations of stuff. I have three windows and views of trees. I can hear a rooster crow and other birds singing when I open the windows.

It is my special treasured space but I wish it were a bit bigger now as I feel like I’m outgrowing it and in an attempt to hold on I am making smaller constructions, which is actually good.

Carrie: Can you describe your creative process to readers?

Coffee, sitting, listening to music mostly motown and random folk records that someone gave me once. I hate planning work and prep of any kind. I have different projects on the go and so I simply choose what I feel like working on and start.

I am prepared to fail and change my vision of any possible outcome if need be. I have to enjoy the process. I have to feel like I’m playing or being a bit cheeky. If I don’t feel good I have to leave and come back another day.

Carrie: How do you know when an artwork is finished?

A piece of work often seems to finish itself and then it zings and pings and fizzles with life. That’s the most elusive and magical of moments.

Carrie: What is the first thing you do when you feel stuck working on an artwork?

Put it away and work on something else.

Carrie:  What has been one hurdle you’ve overcome as a creative and how did you navigate that problem?

Worrying about selling my work is a big problem for me. I feel like I need to sell to be able to invest in myself. But the problem is I don’t feel convinced about selling yet. I have been worrying about this a lot lately but I am pleased to say that I am starting to let go.

I decided to be the curious artist I am and make work however I want without worrying about selling it. I have been making humble investigations with paper and found broken bits of old toys and documenting this with my mobile phone camera. It feels wonderful and I think in the long run it will improve my work in a more natural way than having more money and a bigger studio.   

Carrie: You were a recent member of my community The Circle. Can you describe one or two benefits you experienced from being part of the program?

Being part of the Circle was a positive experience although I am still processing everything I learnt. It was packed full of great advice which I think I will continue implementing for many years to come. It was also enormously supportive.  

Carrie:  What is one creative resource you can’t live without?

My telephone

Carrie: Who/what inspires you?

My daughter and color.

Carrie:  What does the word artist mean to you?

Curiosity, risk, brutal honesty with oneself, actual magic, connection.

Be Creatively Courageous: I admire Judith’s honesty with us about feeling the need to sell her work. Lots of us feel this way but don’t say it out loud. Do you share that concern and mindset? Let’s open up and start a real dialogue about this in the comments below

Additional Contact Info:

Website: www.judith-farr.com

Email: judith.farr@gmail.com