![cover of episode Finding Freedom with Annie Tempest [267]](https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/production/podcast_uploaded_nologo/1347370/1347370-1548841655755-f0a518a4ad15e.jpg)
Finding Freedom with Annie Tempest [267]
Art Juice: A podcast for artists, creatives and art lovers
Deep Dive
What inspired Annie Tempest to start her famous cartoon series 'Tottering by Gently'?
Annie Tempest based 'Tottering by Gently' on her own life experiences, including her childhood and family. She drew inspiration from her upbringing in a stately home in Yorkshire and her family's unique dynamics, which she infused into the cartoon to make it authentic and relatable.
How has Annie Tempest's approach to creativity evolved over her career?
Annie Tempest has embraced her identity as a polypotentialist, exploring various creative outlets like cartooning, sculpting, and painting. She believes in the freedom of creativity, allowing herself to experiment and play without being confined to one medium or style. This approach has helped her maintain joy and authenticity in her work.
What challenges did Annie Tempest face when transitioning from cartooning to sculpting?
Annie faced criticism from galleries for blending her humorous cartoons with deeply emotional sculptures. Galleries preferred artists to stick to one style, but Annie refused to be boxed in, believing in her right to express herself across multiple mediums. This resilience stemmed from her personal experiences and inner work.
How did Annie Tempest's childhood influence her artistic journey?
Annie's childhood, marked by living in a stately home under challenging conditions, fostered her creativity. Being largely ignored by her family, she turned to art as an outlet. Additionally, she discovered her great-great-grandmother was a cartoonist, which further inspired her artistic pursuits and reinforced her belief in inherited creativity.
What role does 'Tottering by Gently' play in Annie Tempest's life?
'Tottering by Gently' is both a creative outlet and a significant income stream for Annie. Running for over 32 years, the cartoon has a global fan base and is deeply rooted in her personal experiences. While it brings financial stability, it also comes with the pressure of maintaining originality and meeting weekly deadlines.
How has Annie Tempest's resilience shaped her artistic career?
Annie's resilience, forged through personal tragedies like the loss of her son, has driven her to explore new creative avenues, such as sculpting. She approaches challenges with determination, learning new skills like website management late in life, and remains open to experimentation, which keeps her work fresh and evolving.
What is Annie Tempest's current artistic focus?
Annie is currently inspired by memories, particularly from her youth, such as her time in Paris at 16. She is creating works that blend realism and abstraction, capturing the emotions and chaos of those formative experiences. Her art often explores transitional objects and the feelings they evoke.
How does Annie Tempest balance her various creative pursuits?
Annie balances her creative pursuits by dedicating specific time to each medium. While 'Tottering by Gently' provides financial stability, she allocates time for painting, sculpting, and experimenting with new forms like collage. She prioritizes joy and authenticity, allowing her to flow between different creative expressions.
What advice does Annie Tempest have for aspiring artists?
Annie encourages aspiring artists to embrace their unique paths and not be confined by comparison or limiting beliefs. She emphasizes the importance of perseverance, self-belief, and the joy of creating, rather than focusing solely on commercial success. Her journey highlights the value of resilience and continuous learning.
How does Annie Tempest view the relationship between art and life?
Annie sees art as an extension of life, where creativity and personal experiences are deeply intertwined. She believes in making art for the joy of creation, not just for commercial gain, and uses her work to explore and express her emotions, memories, and the world around her.
- Annie Tempest is an award-winning cartoonist whose work has appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines.
- Her notable series, Tottering by Gently, has run in Country Life magazine for over 30 years.
- Beyond cartooning, she's a talented sculptor and painter, showcasing her multifaceted artistic abilities.
Shownotes Transcript