John Evans
   Studio

How would you describe yourself in three words?

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Imaginative, passionate, reserved.

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What inspires you?

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Nature inspires me a lot. I really like being outdoors, going for walks and discovering new places. I like to go out and take photographs and then I will either paint them or create a colour palette from the images. Colours also inspire me because I am really interested in the colour theory and how these colours can affect our moods.

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What are your thoughts on the creative scene in Cardiff?

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Oh, I love the creative scene in Cardiff. During my fashion promotion degree I was PR for Plafform magazine which enabled me to meet a lot of creative people from Cardiff and the surrounding area. There is such a thriving scene in Cardiff and each year it seems to grow!

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Favourite Quote?

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"Anyone who says you can't see a thought, simply doesn't know art." and that's by Wynetka Ann Reynolds.

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What is Spiritual Web? And how did it start?

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Spiritual Web started off when I was completing my foundation course, nearly 6 years ago now! I remember going to Oxford Museum and we had to pick something in the museum for a project and I chose the Native American history. I started to make a collection of dream catchers based on this and loved this so much that I continued to make more. Since then it has turned into a collection of art and handmade crafts. I have further developed it into accessories, trying to implement fashion back into my work. It feels very full circle for me.

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How did you get into art?

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When I was undertaking my GCSE's I did textiles and I just did not know how to draw. I then studied art so that I could learn how to draw and it actually made me realise that I preferred art over textiles, so I applied to study art foundation. I went back into fashion for my degree and now back into art again, so a lot of back and forth!

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Did you know you were a talented painter at this point?

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Nope! I used to paint during my A-Levels but nothing like I can do now. Since then, I've always loved watercolour and it wasn't until this year when studying for my PGCE that I painted with acrylics in school and I thought actually, I really like this! So, since January I have been painting non stop. I just kept practicing and now I love it. Whenever I get a chance to paint, I will.

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Why do you think art is important in today's society?

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I'm going to get carried away on this one! I always preach about the arts and support it whenever I can. I think that it links to everything around us and some people don't realise that. Without art you wouldn't have a lot of other things. People don't make the connections. I believe art is therapeutic, especially in a society where mental health is so prominent. People should try and explore how art can benefit the mind more, it won't work for everyone but it will work for someone!

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Any words of advice for aspiring artists?

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Keep practicing! My paintings have developed a lot over the past year, it is a lot of trial and error. I completed a painting the other day and I didn't like it, it's annoying but you've just got to do it and find out. For anyone doing something creative, take criticism but also remember that it is just an opinion. Just because one person doesn't connect with your work, doesn't mean that someone else won't. Keep practicing what you love, do it for yourself and let yourself make mistakes.

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What do you hope to achieve with your art/Spiritual Web in the future?

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I'm teaching art with my PGCE at the moment, so I just want these kids to try new things. My dissertation is about how art and creative subjects can lead you into careers. I feel that I didn't have that in school and there are lots of things you can do with art. I just want to keep pushing that and the importance of it.

With Spiritual Web, I want to keep working hard on it, be patient and hope that it grows. I always say that no matter how hectic my job or life is, I will always give myself the time to be creative and do what I love.