Artists

Read artist interviews featuring some of the most exciting established and emerging figures in the art world. Our conversations with contemporary artists get to the heart of what makes them tick, exploring the development of their style, their inspirations and the stories behind their recent work. Discover our artist interviews to get to know the people whose works that you can browse and buy in our online store.

Our top artist interviews

One of our most popular recent interviews was a talk with Nelson Makamo, a South African painter and winner of 2018’s Rise Art Prize known for his expressive portraits. Our conversation with Kelvin Okafor, who creates intricate photorealistic pencil portraits, dove into his unique fusion of the technical and the conceptual. You may also enjoy our interview with Fred Ingrams, in which he discusses both his technical process and what drew him to start painting the Fens.

Interviews you won’t want to miss

Among our contemporary artist interviews, you will find our Q&A with Philip Vaughan, author of the landmark 48ft-tall Light Tower which graced the London skyline from 1972 to 2008. You can read about the machinations and motivations driving rising star Anna Sofie Jesperson. Our interview with Mark Chadwick may also be of interest, where the colour master shines a light on the inspiration behind his vibrant abstract paintings.

Kelvin Okafor's Emotional Realism

Conceptual art favours concepts, ideas and emotions over aesthetic and technical consideration. Since Marcel Duchamp installed a urinal in a gallery over 100 years ago, it has remained a popular movement. At first glance Kelvin Okafor’s painstaking photorealistic portraits, each of which takes hours to complete, might look like a reaction against this movement, but he disagrees.

By Phin Jennings | 05 Sept 2019

Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera | Romance & Heartbreak

Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera painted each other for 25 years. Find out about the couple’s tumultuous relationship on the blog.

By Rise Art | 26 Feb 2019

Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele | Masters of Sex and Death

Because it’s valentine's what better opportunity is there to discuss the riveting and nonconformist love lives of some of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, who's desperately passionate, expressionist work pushed the boundaries of art and depicted the human figure as never before.

By Rise Art | 14 Feb 2019

Charcoal and Child’s Play with Nelson Makamo

You can spot Nelson Makamo’s expressive portraits from a mile away. The Johannesburg-based artist uses printmaking techniques as well as charcoal, acrylics, watercolours and oils to create spontaneous works that capture the characters of his native South Africa.

By Rise Art | 18 Oct 2018

Revealing the Unseen with Andy Gotts

Andy Gotts is one of only a handful of British photographers to have been recognised by HM the Queen. In 2012, Andy was awarded an MBE for services to Photography and Charity. The Norfolk-born artist has captured some of the biggest screen stars of our generation. But it’s not just the celebrity subjects themselves that make Andy’s portraits stand out – it’s the stories behind the shoots that give his works their character.

By Rise Art | 03 Aug 2018

Fred Ingrams | Visions of the Fens

British painter Fred Ingrams has developed a fascination with the strange marshy landscape of the Fens in eastern England. We quiz the artist about his connection to the landscape and ask him to describe the methods and materials he uses to create his expressive visions of the Fens.

By Rise Art | 14 Aug 2017

Behind the Scenes with Hush

We spoke with Hush about his laborious technique, his incessant travel, and his recent curatorial project in New York. Read on to find out more from one the most successful street artists on the scene right now.

By Lori Zimmer | 26 Oct 2016

One to Watch: Krista Kim

Exhibiting in New York at the Guy Hepner gallery where her work has also just been on auction, recently interviewed by The Huffington Post, and named one of the most trending artists of the moment... Krista Kim is definitely one to watch. We showcase some of her works, and give you a little inspiration on styling an interior to match one of these beautiful pieces!

By Rise Art | 22 Apr 2016

An audience with Kelvin Okafor

Compared by The Guardian's Jonathan Jones to Art giants alike Da Vinci, Vermeer, or Caravaggio, there's been quite the kerfuffle about Kelvin Okafor's exquisitely skillful and lifelike drawings. Having been one of Rise Art's original artists, we ask Kelvin five questions...

By Charlotte Broomfield | 17 Sept 2013

Carne Griffiths striking portraits composed with Whisky, Vodka, Tea and Ink

New work now available using uncommon mediums to produce exceptionally detailed and explosive artwork.

By Rise Art | 22 Feb 2013