Everyone seems to call themselves an artist nowadays. Loosely, it seems to apply to anyone who exhibits. Anyway, last week I interviewed two such startlingly different women who both feel equally passionate about their art forms…
The first artist, a Milanese who has recently relocated to London, is an illustrator. I found Sara Pitta‘s work before I found her as you’ll find her brilliant mark in 100s of Moleskine notebooks at the Covent Garden store. Flicking through (trying to choose one), I begged the sale assistant to put me in touch with the artist behind these caricatures.
Sara has a background in communication, illustration and teaching.
When we finally met, I discovered that Sara’s artistic mission is so much more than her colourful cartoons. She teaches (adults and kids alike) sensory illustration. Wanting to know more (and smelling a story!), I immediately invited her over for a BIG cup of tea while Mini and I smelt and drew and smelt and drew…
setting up for Sara’s lesson in sensory drawing
Mini draws her superhero
… until we realised that Sara had enabled us to create our very own superheros. The whole experience was enlightening and totally charming – I’d recommend it to anyone looking for an unusual kids’ birthday party or if your corporate team needs building!
Sara Pitta’s box of scents
More info about Sara’s ‘Scents and Storytelling’ for adults (starting from £15 per person) and ‘Draw your scented character’ for children email: info@sarapitta.com
The second artist is pure LA. A friend of a friend, Elisabeth Caren is a photographer with a lifelong passion for dramatic arts. I interviewed her at Lloyds Club, the private members club where her work is temporarily hung as part of the Young Masters competition.
another of the Young Masters finalists
Elisabeth Caren and her Ophelia
‘It’s the ability to freeze time‘ she explained when I questioned her love of photography. You see, her past experience includes costume design, feature film development and production, entertainment publicity and marketing… but she feels most comfortable behind the lens. Except when shooting underwater with a leak, Elisabeth told me a disastrous story resulting in thousands of dollars of sacrificed kit.
one of Elisabeth Caren’s Ophelia series
Elisabeth’s Ophelia (series of 5) shows how she explores the traditional beauty of Old Masters’ techniques but using a modern and contemporary twist. Theses photographs were shot in her brother’s pool and have had very little photoshop magic added. Utterly brilliant shots, full of drama and mystical magic… oh and I adore the vintage dress worn by the model…
Check out Elisabeth’s work (from fashion magazine covers to award winning drama) here.
