Devon artist shortlisted in national competition
An artist based in Churchstow, Kingsbridge, has been shortlisted in a national competition which seeks to reveal how businesses have been faring during the coronavirus crisis.
Ellie Verrecchia entered the PopUp Business School Summer Photo Challenge with a picture of herself with some of her artwork.
She said: "I paint onto reclaimed materials and items found washed up on the beach, including a lot of driftwood. I paint outdoors by the sea, and often paint the landscape or seascape where I found the materials.
"I’ve always loved painting and making things. I started painting onto driftwood that I’d found on the beach during a holiday to Tresco on the Isles of Scilly, mainly because the piece of wood was a very cool shape, and also because I didn’t have anything else to paint onto.
"During that Tresco holiday, I posted my work on Instagram, and I was contacted by a follower to do a commission. I had no idea how to price my work, and someone suggested I pop into the Tresco Gallery to ask advice.
"I wrapped my work up in tea towels and put them in my bike basket, and rode across the island to see the gallery manager. She suggested that I become a Tresco artist, represented by the Gallery. I left my paintings there as a newly-signed artist, a bit shell-shocked. The first piece sold within 24 hours.
"In February 2020, I was invited to do an artist in residence placement on Tresco, just before lockdown and during the spring storms. Sadly, all planned exhibitions were cancelled when the island was shut down to tourists. That has been really disappointing in the year when I wanted to launch my career as an artist.
"However, I have been working with the Tresco team to become listed as an official Tresco Artist. My larger work has already sold well, so I’m producing more."
Ellie studied Fine Art at Exeter University but changed her degree to add elements of digital design. Gallery Tresco says of her work: “Ellie paints on recycled board, reclaimed or washed up on the sea shore. Her mix of green ethics and natural talent are proving to be a winning combination.”
Ellie adds: "I now sell my work directly to art buyers through my website, but I’ll also be looking to be represented by more galleries in South Devon, where I’ve just moved with my family to live.
"I spend a lot of time connecting with the places I love by painting in Bantham and Salcombe, and I find materials by beachcombing the local beaches and estuaries on my RED paddleboard.
"I just completed the West Devon and South Hams Pop Up Business School course, which gave me the confidence and tools to start thinking about my passion as a business."
PopUp Business School, which helps people from all walks of life to launch their own businesses, is asking people across the UK to take a photograph which illustrates their business, or business idea, with the chance to win up to £200.
CEO Simon Paine said: “Business has changed so much in the past few months, we thought it'd be really interesting to get a glimpse into their world.
“We know many businesses have moved their operations online and are interacting and serving customers in a different way.
“However, due to lockdown, this has all been happening behind closed doors. We've seen far less of one another so it's going to be great to take a look inside.”
The competition is open for entries until midnight on August 31. You can find out more and submit your own entry at: https://www.popupbusinessschool.co.uk/photo-challenge.html
If you're interested in starting your own business, PopUp Business School is running a free, nationwide, five-day course, starting on September 14. Find out more or sign up for the live, online course at: popupbusinessschool.co.uk/startup
