I grew up in Colchester, Essex. When I was younger, my Mother worked as an artist and freelance art teacher and life model. I have been making art and music for as long as I can remember. I once knocked over a beautiful antique mirror and rather than shouting at me, my mum encouraged me to recycle the pieces into a mosaic.

I worked as a life model for 12 years which gave me a feel for the classic poses but also the attitudes towards the models themselves. Historically, life modelling was considered to be the lowest profession you could possibly do and that shame which comes through in the paintings never quite sat right with me. I never felt that modelling was something to be embarrassed of. These attitudes have changed but I still feel there is more to be done in terms of helping women to embrace their natural selves. To me, the idea of the "shy" or "coy" life model was outdated, overdone and didn't honour the true beauty and courage of women today. Because of this, I made a conscious decision to paint women looking confident and empowered. I have always found the female form fascinating and inspiring. I also wanted to show a more emotional and sensitive side to the men in my paintings as I feel that men are encouraged to suppress this part of themselves when they should be encouraged to express it. For me the process of creating art is completely organic in the sense that I just paint what comes to me and when I feel like I want to. It comes from a place deep within me and when asked to explain why or how I create the art I do, it feels odd because it just happens. I think that the way that I feel about myself and women in general comes through in my artwork.

Alice Anderson

Artworks by Alice Anderson

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