How do we investigate creativity and what keeps us engaged in our creative pursuits? In this series, we collaborated with the great folks at Sculpd to discover creativity via play and exploration. We handed each creative a Sculpd Kit, a camera and no constraints as we begin to look at the links to our creativity.
Lily Rose Grant is an artist and amateur footballer based in North London, she spends her time managing the art collection at The Perimeter in Bloomsbury, painting pictures with bright colours in her studio in North London and simultaneously battling against relegation and for the title in a tightly fought two division amateur football league.
Favourite colour?
Yellow - the colour of sunshine. My brother is colourblind and yellow is the only colour he can confidently see, so I try to include a bit of yellow in every painting for him.
Tell me where creativity began for you?
Drawing has been my favourite thing to do for as long as I can remember. Even at primary school I would draw pictures of Charmander for the other children in my class. The other Pokémon were a bit too complex for my clumsy child hands
What makes you feel creative?
The summer, sunshine brings out the most beautiful colours and the longer days make me feel like I have more time for painting and seeing.
Describe your favourite piece of art.
It’s too tough to pick one, so I will completely avoid the question and answer a different one: Rachel Jones is one of my favourite painters, the way she uses colour is mind boggling!
Favourite film?
This is something that changes over time depending on what I’ve seen recently and what thoughts are stuck in my head. The Charlie Chaplin film “City Lights” is perfect.
Favourite album?
Again, this is something that changes over time. At the moment it is probably Lucinda Williams “West”. The first song on the album, “Are You Alright?” is so tender and comforting.
Do you see yourself in your work?
Not really, my work is a bit of an escape for me. I use the brightest colours I can find and fill the work with things that remind me how beautiful things can be.
What’s your favourite accomplishment?
Every time someone tells me that my work has brought a smile to their face, that’s the best thing I can do.
How important are others forms creativity on the side of your practice?
I think it’s always important to branch out and explore creativity in different forms, but it’s also important to make time for tedious tasks so that your mind can wander freely.
What other creative avenues have you explored?
Lately I’ve been dabbling in some stand-up, which has been really fun as it is the most terrifying thing and definitely pushes me to feel more confident in other ways. In the world of drawing, I’ve designed a few football kits and am working on a collaboration with the wonderful ceramicist, Alex Campbell.
Is there a place you feel particularly inspired?
I always feel inspired in the communal gardens outside my flat, it is so beautifully maintained with colourful and massive flowers. My neighbours are wonderful as well and I feel very loved and full of love in the community. One of my neighbours is the most wonderful chef Candice Webber and occasionally I get their delicious leftovers!
Talk us your through Sculpd creation?
My ability to make anything 3D is severely lacking, so I tried to make the simplest shapes in the pack. The Sculpd instructions were so easy to follow and the pictures made it easy to find the shape I wanted. I have plenty of acrylic paints in the studio, so I knew I could hide any major faults with bright colours !
Did you achieve your expectations?
I had very low expectations!! I am just delighted that it didn’t fall apart.
What inspired your Sculpd project?
One of my favourite lines in “City Lights” had been running around in my head for a while at the time “Tomorrow, the birds will sing. Be brave. Face life”. I wanted to capture the sentiment of this in my Sculpd creation, the importance of simple beauty in keeping us going.
What and how do you try to be unique in your creative process?
The only way to be unique is to try not to let what you think people want inform the creative process. Just make what you want to make. Although I am still finding my voice by quoting other styles.
Do you think creativity is innate or learned?
A bit of both, I think that you have to enjoy the process of learning to make things, or else you’ll never want to practice and then you’ll never get better!
If you're inspired by Lily's work, then purchase your very own Sculpd kit here.
