Elaine Graham

... During the next year Elaine travelled to India and South East Asia. Elaine settled in Leeds in 2003 and studied Theatrical Make Up in 2004. She worked on various projects including theatre, fashion and TV. In 2006, Elaine gave birth to Leo in Leeds General Infirmary and settled into family life in Knebworth, Hertfordshire.

Speaking exclusively to MyArtBroker Elaine said "My childhood was filled with days of drawing, making things, painting, creating characters and my favorite thing was to make catalogues and I loved doing all the little drawings of shoes, toys, clothes, furniture. My sister and myself would often make things together Prior to painting full time, I used to work in a gallery and sell her work! Its funny how things pan out. I prefer working alongside my sister, we are the only artists in the building so we can bounce ideas off one another and being in the town centre location there are more comings and goings with visitors.

I have ideas constantly circulating around my head. This can be quite frustrating as I just want to get it all down on canvas as soon as I think of an idea for a painting. However, I find it quite useful to note down my ideas on a scrap piece of paper- this can sometimes be in the middle of the night! I do little thumb size sketches of my ideas for paintings. When I have so many ideas I find it quite exciting, as I can't wait to paint them all. But ideas often have to wait as I am so busy all the time. Ideas for new paintings often come from previous paintings or my card designs. They can also come from just being out and about and seeing a scene or objects in the street. I can quite often visualize a painting there and then, if I do not have my sketch book on me, I take a photo. If I don't have my camera- I have to try to remember it in my head!"