Mural artists Amber and Amy tell us about their work

You are both mural painters; can you tell us a bit about some of the murals you have worked on and what commissions you have received?
Amber: I’ve had an exciting summer painting murals. I was involved in an amazing mural festival in Newhaven called Look Again which involved 14 artists painting various pieces in and around the town and my canvas was the side of someone’s house. I wanted my design to be colourful and striking and also compliment artist Annie Frost Nicolsons ‘Dance Here’ poster which sits in the middle of the wall. It was an incredible event to be part of and one of my favorite mural projects to date. Another fun one was a floor mural for Goodwood Revival in September and that was a serious production, it’s great to paint on such scale. Alongside the biggies I also love painting smaller pieces in peoples houses. I just finished a playroom in Hove which has brought a magical splash of colour to the space. I welcome all kinds of commissions, it’s a special feeling when clients trust you in their home.

Amy: I’m just finishing one in London now! In the secret courtyard of a wine bar in Brixton. I also just painted a small one in a new home, and the process tends to be pretty similar every time. I show up with some very basic sketches, mainly practising some of the shapes that I think I might include like body positions or in the recent case, wine glasses, and then do the majority of the designing on the wall. It takes a bit longer on site, but I find it better to create for the space when I’m in the space. I used to try to use projectors but it always ended up being a fuss. I painted the co-working space at West Beach Hotel on Preston Street, and it was there that I started just working freehand. It’s a joy to work on that scale, I love the physicality of it.

Amber, you are also a painter and collage artist – can you tell us a bit about this?
Amber: I love to paint. I see my canvas paintings as mini murals people can enjoy in their home and move around as they please. I’m always re-organising the artwork in my house and paintings give you the flexibility to keep your interiors moving. That said, a mural inside your home creates a visual centrepiece, when you paint on walls you energise the space. My collages are an exploration into my imagination, they’re way more detailed, using a back catalogue of vintage magazines and books, I hand cut images, digitally compose and then re-work the designs by adding hand drawn details on my ipad. Once printed, I then hand finish with tiny elements of liquid gold. It makes every piece unique.

Do you and Amy ever collaborate on the murals or on your other work?
Amber: Me and Amy have been friends for years and helped each other paint our own mural designs, it doesn’t feel like work. We are yet to collaborate on a piece but what a brilliant idea, thank you.

Amy: I think it’s about time we did…

Amy, you also run a series of workshops; can you tell us something about them?
Amy: My workshops are designed for absolutely everyone to walk away with something they are happy with, no matter what experience they come to the table with. I focus on individual creativity, rather than reproduction of someone else’s design, so through praise and positivity I aim to bring out the artist in all.

I run The Sunny Pub Art Club, where we do a different activity every week at The Setting Sun in Hanover. It’s been a huge joy since I started in February. We have made Lino prints, cyanotypes, lanterns, mobiles, oil pastel landscapes, collage portraits… the list goes on and on. I do this at a reduced rate to try to ensure that as many people in the community as possible can afford it. I also do a monthly session at The Shakespeare’s Head, alongside private parties and corporate events.

What are you most looking forward to about taking part in AOH?
Amber: It’s been a few years since I’ve taken part in the Open Houses so it’s great to be back on the scene. For me, the most exciting part is meeting all the people and having a good old chat. It’ll be lovely to exhibit with Amy, the studio used to be hers so there’s a nice history to the space.

Amy: Working with Amber! Have you met her? She’s great.

Is there anything else you would like to tell us?
Amy: Come along to Art Club! Wednesdays 7pm at The Setting Sun in Hanover.

Amber: Over the last four years I’ve been curating the Dog & Bone gallery on Powis Square in Brighton. Housed in two traditional red phones, each month we organise a different exhibition with an artist. It’s very much a community space, it’s free to exhibit and we welcome artists and makers from all over the world. The boxes were bought and converted several years ago by local artist Sam Toft. It’s an absolute joy to run the space for Sam and I’ve met so many amazing artists over the years. Currently taking applications for 2025, so if you’ve got an idea you’d like to bring to life please get in touch. [email protected]

Visit Amber and Amy at:
Amber Elise Studio
8 Grantham Road, Brighton, BN1 6EE

www.amberelise.com
www.instagram.com/ambereliseartist/
www.amyislesfreeman.co.uk/
www.instagram.com/amyislesfreeman/