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Nicki Rosetti
Interview with the artist
Where do you work, do you have a studio?
Yes, I have a purpose built studio at my home in Essex. In fact, anyone can see it on my studio webcam at www.rosettigalley.co.uk (when I remember to switch it on!)
When and where did you first exhibit your work?
1984 , on the railings at Clapham Common in southwest London
If you could pick just three colours to work with what would they be?
That's easy, French Ultramarine, Alizarin Crimson for rich deep darks, and if I were painting in Oils, then definately Rowneys Naples Yellow No 1,
If money were no object which artwork would you buy?
Wow that's a really tricky one.
I think anything by Hopper particluarly 'Night Cafe' of course, definately something
by British Landscape painter David Curtis and absolutely something by Fred Cuming.
What is your favourite media and why?
Definately Oils. It can't be beaten for richness, depth of colour, flexibility, and of course I was taught as an oil painter, so I'm going to be biased.
Which artist, past or present, would you like to study under or collaborate with
Fred Cumin R.A. is undoubtedly one of the greatest living British artists. If I could produce just one painting with the atmoshere of his work, I'd probably stop painting, objective achieved.
Which famous subject would you like to use in your art?
I would dearly love to paint at the Ford Motor works in East London at night. I have driven by so many times when it is all lit up, I just love industrial subjects.
Did a particular person or event spark your interest in art?
Yes, back in the early 1980s, I mentioned to an artist friend that I needed to buy some paintings for my flat and he said "well, why don't you paint some yourelf". So I did. The result showed me that I needed some professional training and that led me to the studio of Joan Wills SWA in St Johns Wood. Joan introduced me to the work of artists like Sickert and sparked my love for British art.
How long does it usually take you to complete an artwork?
That all depends on the subject of course, but I'm not the type of artist who can just put their head down and power through. I tend to spend an hour or so painting, then I need to walk away, have yet another cup of tea and leave it for half an hour before returning for another short burst. I really can't work on one painting for more than 1 or two hours a day, so I tend to have 2 or 3 going and switch between them during a painting day.
Which is your favourite art gallery and why?
That would have to be the old Tate. When I first started painting, I lived in Vauxhall and the Tate was just a walk across Vauxhall bridge. I spent many a day there and the Tate Britain remains my favourite gallery today.
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