Introducing Ageless Artist Hazel Burgess

Inspiration from South West France

Jan 12, 2024

Happy January 2024 dear readers ! I have been thinking about ways we can create community and solidarity online for the Ageless Artist who is working continuously to grow and make art to sell or because its their lifeblood. We are situated worldwide and our commonality is our love and creation of art. My intention always has been to encourage the artist of my vintage-a little younger or older perhaps - to share their stories and challenges as an artist in this place in time. We understand the world has shifted and changed since our early artist days and how could it not? How we navigate these times as an artist is personal -but often requires a shift and perhaps new opportunities to try out new skills and approaches to our profession . Growth is possible and imminent. Here at “Get your Artist Jetpack On” we will be learning from artists who continue to forge new paths in their art practise!
Today we will learn about artist Hazel Burgess ..

Hazel would you share with us a brief bio of your life journey as an artist

Well, I’m an (ageless) British artist living and working in south west France.

At least, I’m trying to be a working artist!

Ever since I was a child, I’ve been compelled to create art. Always the one to be

asked to paint the nativity scene on the junior school window!

Although principally self-taught, I studied drawing in North America during my teenage years honing my skills for realistic representation.

This eventually lead to a popularity for people commissioning me to paint French architecture and later their animals.

I like participating in plein-air competitions and have been lucky

enough to achieve a few first & second prizes, using watercolour, pastel or

acrylic.

I now belong to the regional society « Les Beaux Arts du Perigord »

It was in 2006 that I discovered the joy of soft pastel and for many years my art

practice and business centred mainly on animal portraits receiving a steady

flow of commissions in that medium. However, in 2021 I discovered a love for

acrylics and abstraction and I just knew that my inner artistic voice was

drawing me down a different path. It HAD to come out. You’ll often find me now

using acrylic, soft pastel or collage or a combination of all three. My thing is to

expresses my inner emotions that are triggered by elements of our visual

universe. I seek to have these intense feelings permeate my work and hopefully

trigger similar feelings in others.

Then…

& Now :

What is your current passion ? What might we find on your maker’s table ?

A couple of things... I’m developing a sketch book of Freeform colour swatches -

lots more fun than normal than simple charts of every possible combination.

This Freeform approach allows you to think about composition at the same

time as colour combinations. The serendipitous discoveries and magical

effects is really beneficial. It helps you « changer les idées »

Then, I have a series in mind to create a series dedicated to the village where

my husband and I rent a house until our the construction of our own house is

complete. This place is St-Germain-des-Prés in the Dordogne, a truly magical

village with delightful streets and alleys whispering their invitation for you to

explore. The welcome and friendliness here has been extraordinary and the

series would be a « love note and thank you » in honour of this place and to

depict the subtle energy that lies within.

Will you share some of your learnings as an Ageless Artist with us ?
Who would you describe as your influences early and later?

With age (66... now you know), I am finally learning to let go. To release the

need for approval, to do it « right » If you try to please others, you’re lost. If you

allow your true authentic self to come through, the right people will find you. My

advice to others, young and old, would be allow your instincts to guide you,

don’t wait. Now is the right time. There are no mistakes, only learning.

The person who has had the most influence on me of late is Louise Fletcher

(https://www.louisefletcherart.com/learn-with-me).

What has changed in your making and or selling of your work over the
years?

My art of today is vastly different to that of 3 years ago (99% at least), maybe

even just 2 years ago. Previously, I was painting VERY in a very realistic style

which is what my collectors wanted but now I’m discovering MY voice through

abstraction... even my representational work is more loose. And so many

techniques have been added to my toolbox such as layering transparent

colours, using GAC 100 as a resist medium to name but just two!

Regarding selling, Facebook used to be an excellent source of commissions

plus recommendations. That has totally changed and now I feel that live

exhibitions and spreading the word via my website and Substack could be the

answer.

Have the changes and introduction of various types of social media
impacted your art practise over the last few years ?
Do you feel motivated to keep learning more about strategies to enhance
your art business?

Social Media -(Long Groan) I am rapidly becoming SO cross and « anti » when

it comes to FB and IG. I hate the manipulative tactics they employ. And YES I

most certainly do feel motivated to learn new strategies!. I have such an urge

to share and connect with others through my art

How has life changed for you as a creative person over the past year?
How has your art evolved over time?

I’ve become much more business like in my approach to my art practice - I’m

better organised, I’ve built an attractive website that reflects my current style

and I now dedicate time nearly everyday to working on my art.

Do you believe your environment -the city or town where you live
impact and or influence your art practise?
Absolutely. I’m a committed « noticer » My environment impregnates it’s soul

on me, my way of being and my art. I feel that if we allow ourselves to meld

with where we are, not feel separate from, we receive so much.