fishart

Kernowyouth spotted some new cards in a local Christian bookshop and caught up with the artist to find out more...

Introduce yourself. Who are you?

My name is Nic Hadley and I am 26 years old. I like to swim, run and surf, but I'm not Cornish! I only moved here in 2002 after graduating from uni.

When did you first paint? When did you begin to develop your gift and take it seriously?

Artistic activities were always encouraged, particularly by my Grandma who has a gift for art herself. I couldn't say when I first painted, it has always been enjoyable. From a young age I doodled on whatever was available, even the arms of friends at times! When I was a youthworker of a church in Liskeard, I was responsible for redecorating our newly acquired youth rooms. My youth group and I painted murals on the walls, which started me thinking about using my artwork in some way. Friends encouraged me to take it more seriously, but I didn't do anything still. In the end, God spoke to me at Spring Harvest in 2006 and told me to get on with it and share my artwork!

What inspired you to paint?

Seeing my Grandma's artwork when I was younger was inspiring, it made me want to produce something that good. Also, I'm a very visual person and often wish that I could recreate something on paper that I've seen.
                                            

What inspires your work today?

Many things inspire me to paint, it differs from day to day. God puts a picture in my mind, that's the only way I can describe it. This can happen when I'm reading the Bible, in a time of worship, listening to a sermon or when I'm praying while out running or surfing.                                    

How do you think your art speaks to the viewer?

Earlier artwork may have spoken to people because of the attention to detail that comes from my perfectionist streak. However, in the last few years, sketches and paintings that I have produced aren't about looking pretty. God seems to use me to challenge others and made them think. My recent artwork is no exception to that.

You've started to produce some of your artwork as cards and posters for sale. How did that come about?

My initial thought was to approach Christian publishers to see if they were interested in using any of my artwork. After several negative replies, my husband suggested getting the cards and posters printed ourselves. So we chose three designs for the cards and three designs for the posters.
                                            

What are your hopes and ambitions for the future?

I would hope to be able to get my artwork into a wider circulation where more people can be challenged, inspired and encouraged in their faith.

How can people get hold of your work?

I have an exhibition of some of my Cornish landscapes at Gallery Eleven in the Market Arcade in Bodmin. It runs until July 9th. Admission is free. As for the cards and posters, they could ask to see if it is being sold in their local Christian bookshop or email me at for further details.

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