Interview: Tsiana Maxted

Tell us a bit about yourself Tsiana?

I’m a London based portrait painter, currently working part time in a bar whilst looking for jobs in art galleries, but I’ve just created my new website and I’m hoping that things will kick off soon!!

When did you start creating art?

I’ve drawn and painted for as long as I can remember. I come from an artistic family, my mum, Nicola Godden, is a sculptor so you could definitely say that art is in my blood.

What inspires you to create such interesting/detailed portraits?

I love to capture people in my paintings… every little line, detail or blemish is a part of a person’s personality and who they are.

Do you have any plans for the future?

In an ideal world I would love to paint and travel at the same time, my dream is to travel the world painting people from every country I visit and turning it into a collection (and making a successful career out of it…hopefully). It’s wishful thinking but perhaps someday it’ll come true if I work hard enough!

What do you do in your spare time?

Other than painting, I love music, I try to make the most out of London and go to as many gigs as I can afford too. I also love sport and play tennis whenever I get the chance.

Who inspires your personal style?

I wouldn’t say there’s anyone in particular, I like to be creative in the way I paint, think and what I wear (charity shops are always a favourite of mine for cheap, stylish clothes)

Have you any favourite artists out there who you look up to?

Yes, I love the National Gallery and most Artists who exhibit in the BP Portrait Awards, in particular Andrew Tift, Mary Jane Ansell and Andrew James, who recently taught me at Heatherley’s School of Fine Art. All of them are brilliant Portrait Artists who inspire me.

Click here to visit Tsiana’s website.