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Scottish artist Joan
Somerville is entirely self-taught. Although given the
opportunity to study at the Glasgow School of Art upon leaving
school, she decided instead to start a family and later embarked
on a 12 year career in local government. She then tried a
succession of different jobs, while continuing to draw and paint
both in her spare time.
Joan’s career as a
full-time artist began over six years ago, when she approached
several Glasgow galleries with her portfolio. Her work was very
well received and, within six months, she was being exhibited
across the city by various galleries, including the prestigious
Nancy Smillie Gallery in the West End. In her first year, Joan
had been given her first solo exhibition and had also been
chosen as one of five major prize winners in the Smith Art
Gallery & Museum’s ‘Brave Art’ competition. Her winning painting
is now part of the museum’s permanent collection in Stirling.
Group and solo
exhibitions in Glasgow and London quickly followed, with her
light-hearted paintings attracting a huge number of collectors
from all walks of life. Joan has also succeeded in capturing the
attention of US buyers, having shown her portfolio to several
galleries in Soho, New York, who leapt at the chance of
exhibiting and selling her work. Her paintings are now collected
worldwide, including across the States, Europe, Hong Kong and
Singapore.
Joan works from an
attic studio in her home on the outskirts of Glasgow with her
partner Ross.
Commenting on her
art, Joan says, “I genuinely love life and live very much for
the day and the moment. I’m definitely a free spirit and hate to
be confined or live to rules! My work is certainly an expression
of this and I aim to bring as much humour as possible into
everyday life. There is so much in life that is angst-ridden, I
hope that my paintings will succeed in bringing a smile to
people’s faces!
“Whenever I’m out
socialising, I find myself scanning the room for interesting
characters and inspiration – I’m sure I would make an excellent
detective! The fun-loving, larger-than-life women I paint are
definitely in control and know how to manipulate their men when
they need to, to get what they want! Through the characters in
my paintings, I hope to show that you can have fun no matter
what you look like or how much you weigh. There is far too much
pressure on women to be the perfect shape, with perfect hair,
make up and wardrobe. I believe we should make the most of what
we have and celebrate our individuality.” |
