Q and A with Kittie Jones

1              Who are you and what do you do?

I am Kittie Jones, a fine artist making drawings, paintings and prints with a strong sense of colour and design.

2            What is your main inspiration?

Much of my inspiration is taken from the natural world, which is my main subject matter. The artists I have taken inspiration from include Thomas Bewick, the fantastic 18th century wood engraver who produced one of the early books of British birds; Clifford and Rosemary Ellis who worked together to design book covers for the ground-breaking New Naturalist covers; Robert Gillmor who is a master of the lino cut and a number of other contemporary British printmakers working today – it is an exciting time to be working in the medium of print.

3            Where do you work from?

I am lucky to have a lovely big studio at Coburg House Studios in Leith. I share with a painter and enjoy being part of this friendly community with lots of different arts and crafts practices going on under one roof – including Concrete Wardrobe co-owner James Donald!

4             What do you do to relax?

Lots of things! A day out in the fresh air watching the world and drawing always leaves me feeling tired but fulfilled. I cycle regularly and I find it can get rid of a lot of everyday tension. I also watch a lot of American drama series, as a total antidote to the realities of my life!

5            Tell us something surprising about your studio space/education/life experiences.

I wrote my dissertation on medieval Spanish illuminated manuscripts!

6           Where did you study?

I completed my Foundation Course at Leith School of Art and then went on to study a combined Fine Art degree between Edinburgh College of Art and Edinburgh University, graduating in 2008.

7             What’s the best advice you can give to other makers or have received?

Initially you should take every opportunity that comes your way, it is a great way to test the waters, gauge responses to your work and learn quite quickly how you would do things differently next time.

8            Where do you see your creative practice going?

More experimentation with print techniques, fabric design, collaborations with other makers and writers, large scale drawings – there's lots of things I hope to do in the future.

9           Who would you like to have over for dinner?

I'd love to get a group of brilliant, creative women together round a dinner table – Beatrix Potter, Louise Bourgeois (although she'd be scary), Winifred Nicholson, Mary Newcombe and Diana Athill would be a good start!

10       What is the best thing about being an independent maker?

There is nothing better than being able to create things which people love, admire and want to live with.