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Welcome to The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

When do you get to call yourself a 'proper' artist? 

Is it when you sell your first piece of work? Is it when you've done a master's degree? Is it when you've exhibited internationally, had sellout shows, and amassed a huge social media following? Or is it when your work is recognised by huge art world names like the Saatchi Gallery or The Royal Academy?

Well, our guest on this episode, Sophie Derrick, has done all of that and more, and even she sometimes struggles with that question. 

Sophie is a portrait artist, often using herself as the subject and the canvas. Who plays with the dualities of photography and painting, the real and the abstract, tactile paint and the flat image to create work that is both bold and in your face, and also kind of hidden and intriguing.

In this episode, Sophie talks us through her creative journey from studying fine art at Leeds University, finding her distinct style and some of the ideas behind that style, to some of the challenges of navigating the art world while doing a master's degree at the same time. Imposter syndrome, and the solitude of being alone in the studio a lot as an artist with little or no feedback coming your way.

We talk about taxidermied animals and about an interview to work for Damien Hirst. What it's like exhibiting internationally and at galleries like the Saatchi Gallery and what it was actually like to be selected for the Royal Academy Summer Show.

But we also talk about, in Sophie's words, her best body of work and solo show 'Close to Nothing'.

And most impressively, what it looks like when trying to create. Follow your passion and be a quote-unquote 'proper' artist, while being a busy mom of three young children. 

No, easy task, as I'm sure you can imagine!  

Check out the links below to see Sophie's work while you're listening to the podcast, of course!  Hope you enjoy this episode of The Creative Nowhere Land Podcast.

SOPHIE DERRICK WEBSITE: https://www.sophiederrickart.com/

SOPHIE DERRICK INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/sophiederrickart/

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