The purpose of the artist spotlight is to bring awareness to notable artists pushing the boundaries of contemporary art. The art world constantly expresses its thoughts on canvas and other visual mediums based on culture, politics, and social commentary. I am continually looking for people who inspire me in this world with their artistic expression. I hope you enjoy these great artists' artwork and support them. Now let me introduce the artist that we are going to be spotlighting today!

Would you please tell everyone your name?

My name is Tom Voyce, and I am a British artist currently based in the English midlands. 

How would you describe your art?

My subject matter comprises of a variety of different themes, such as interiors and semi-abstracted landscapes, often within the notion of place and transit. 

The artworks consistently demonstrate an interest in the formal elements of composition: structure, perspective, shape, and light. My aim is for the strength of these pieces to lie not in their faithful depiction of a landscape, but in their suggestion of a sense of place, of being present within a particular space at a particular moment.

What motivates you to create art?

I am always interested in light and how it can create interesting compositions and a mood within an interior or exterior environment. I find myself drawn to long shadows and contrasting shapes and colours- where I look for intersections on where and how a good composition can be formed. 

Who inspires your artistic creativity?

I have been influenced by many artists over recent years. Previously, I was infatuated with the work of Edward Hopper and how his compositions explored light and shadow so cleverly to create powerful, cinematic scenes that radiated mood and unease. I found them beautiful, but I can see how some find them almost haunting and remote. 

Other American artists such as Wayne Thiebaud and Ben Aronson have also influenced my practice, as has my previous tutor at art school, June Forster. Richard Diebenkorn, however, was the one who I feel took my work to new levels. His 'Cityscape' series, amongst many artworks of his, have proven to be enormously significant in my practice and continues to be now. 

Recently I have started to explore the work of Raimonds Staprans and Euan Uglow too- and I am always looking for other artists whose work I find inspiring and interesting. Very often, this comes from those on Instagram or even artists who attend my workshop, such as New Zealand artist Michelle McIver. 

When did you know that you wanted to become an artist?

Like many people, I have always enjoyed drawing and making pictures. My aim after leaving school was to continue with what I enjoyed, with the hope of making something work afterward! This naive approach probably wasn't necessarily the most sensible plan, but it took me through an art foundation and on to art school, where I worked hard to develop my practice. 

I have always enjoyed teaching, too, so finding a balance between this and my art goes hand in hand- and it led me to work in universities and schools- teaching, working as a technician- but also being able to continue with my artistic development, which kept my practice evolving. In hindsight, these were important years where many of my most important features began to appear in my work. 

Only after entering and winning SkyArts Landscape of the Year in 2017 whilst completing my training as an art teacher did I begin to take being an artist more seriously. It has opened up many opportunities, and it gives me and my work exposure that is very difficult to come across otherwise. 

I still enjoy teaching and taking workshops, so I intend to keep doing this as well as my own work for the time being.  

What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming an artist?

I would suggest the best advice you can give someone who is interested in becoming an artist is to find what it is in the art that attracts you to it. Ignore the financial potential (or the lack of it), the fame, or the stereotypes! 

Focus on artists that you like and are inspired by. Try to figure out what it is that attracts you to their work and go and see it in the flesh. Visit galleries and museums, and make interpretations of your favourite artworks, but do not pressure yourself to be like them. Be aware that they developed from their own circumstances, and so will you.

I feel that drawing is fundamental to a good artist's practice, where you are a sculptor, painter, ceramicist, printmaker, etc. Being able to depict visual ideas quickly and effectively is important, and it should be your bread and butter. It does not matter if you cannot draw- these could be notes or photographs. Collect images of things that inspire you- print these off and put them around you. Do workshops with artists that you like. I find these extremely beneficial, even if I am the one taking the workshop! I gain as much from these as some of my students do! 

Finally- there is no given method to it, but I feel that you should concentrate on the making first, enjoying what you do, and developing yourself over time. 

Where can we go to find your work online?

The best place to see my work is through my website, www.tom-voyce.com, but I also post regularly on Instagram @tomvoyce_art

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