Meet Deborah Pryn
If you’ve ben keeping in touch with us over the last few months then you’ll know that we recently released our 2nd EP, It’s Clear, and you have probably also seen the artwork that we had created for it by local artist, Deborah Pryn. So to learn a bit more about Deborah, her art and what drives her, we met up and had a chat – exactly who is Deborah Pryn?
I went round Deborah’s house one sunny Autumn afternoon. Evidence of her love of art was immediately obvious through paintings and art gear, not to mention the clearly well used arts table. So once the teas were made, we sat down and had a natter about all things Deborah Pryn…
What got you into art?
“My mum was an artist so I grew up doing a lot of art at home. It was my favourite subject at school… I studied art A-level and then took an art foundation year, but back then it was all about conceptual art and installations – not so much painting which was what I’d always loved. So studying art foundation actually put me off art for a while, so I studied English at university instead."
"After that I worked for the National Trust Magazine for several years but I kept painting as a hobby. I stopped working there when I started my family. At that time I also trained in hypno-birthing and started a business teaching people the relaxation techniques for that. When I decided it was time to go back to work properly, I decided I wanted to get back into art full time.”
"When I listen to music, I see colours or shades or movements that inspire my creations."
And your main focus nowadays is alcohol ink art?
“Yeah, my sister in law bought me alcohol inks (dye based inks that you mix with alcohol) and I loved it, so I started sharing it on Facebook with friends and family and got a few commissions, so then I started selling some in shops and online on my website. Then I met Tamalia (from Creativ.Spaces – you remember, the ladies that let us record some duo videos in their studio?!) and I became one of their artists, which is great because they create a lot of local opportunities like exhibitions.”
So what are your main artistic endeavours now?
"I have two: Exhibitions (and galleries) and album covers…"
Intriguing… so how did you get into album art?
“My husband is a composer and his publisher saw some of my artwork and he loved it and asked me to create some album covers for him. So I started doing a lot of art for albums which I love because when I listen to music, I see colours or shades or movements that inspire my creations. And that took off as a side project from there.”
Reality of life
“Funny thing is, I was doing this (creating art) when I was 18 - I knew what I loved, but I think like so many people, you get told it’s hard to make a living like that; so go off and do something that pays better – do English!”
Did you enjoy creating The Bustling Tram Art?
“Yes. It was a different brief to normal, because you knew exactly what you wanted. But because your brief was so clear, it was just really easy to do – and I loved it”
Did you enjoy going back to painting with oils?
“Yes, I want to do more of it – it takes longer but it’s mesmerizing because I get so into it and hours pass and I won’t realise; whereas a lot of the other art I create using the alcohol inks is a lot quicker – you have to move quickly because it dries so quickly. And the difference is that once alcohol inks dry, you can’t go back, whereas with oils, you can go back and add another layer. The hardest thing was stopping – I felt like I could keep going and going and going”
Did you have our music on whilst painting?
“Yes, just on repeat to almost get into a trance while painting.”
“We’ll record a longer album next time then!”
Cue the laughs!
Would you work on artwork for us again?
“Yeah - definitely!”
Phew, so we didn’t scare her off this time then!
And we’re already looking forward to working with Deborah again in the future – hopefully there will be many more collaborations to come!
So if you’re in the Reading, Berks, UK area, then be sure to keep an eye out for Deborah’s distinctive artwork at various galleries and exhibitions or otherwise check out her website for more information.
Saludos,
Dave
