Meet the artists: Jane Young

We asked each of the artists involved in the North Pennines Art Week about their work and what inspires them. Here’s what Jane Young, who is based in the Teesdale area, had to say.

How did you get into art?

After enjoying being at home to bring up my children Sophie and Tom, I decided that I would go to City of Sunderland College to study a year-long Access to Art and Design course with the intention of going on to study for a degree in Interior Design.

My ideas changed while I was at college and I decided to stay to do a Foundation Degree in Applied Art, then BA Fine Art, graduating from the University of Sunderland in 2013. I am now nearing the end of 2 years studying for an MA in Fine Art.

What do you find inspiring about working in the North Pennines?

I have found that being out in nature walking, looking, stopping, breathing and creating is a mindful and meditative experience. I feel it promotes my creativity, health and wellness.

I love being able to walk in the peace and tranquility of the landscape, the stunning moorlands or the wonderful woodlands.

Being so close to the natural beauty of the flowers, plants and trees, listening to the sound of birds, wildlife and water while I create art installations is totally inspirational.

What are your favourite places to work?

It is only recently that I have discovered that my favourite place to work is outside in nature. Up until the first lockdown early in 2020, I was creating my work in an indoor space. It was when we were permitted to take a one-hour walk each day that I began to experiment by creating installations out in nature. I live in Whorlton, a village near Barnard Castle, and each day I would walk the same route, through the woods and down to the riverside. I love the way the landscape changes every single day.

What would be your top tip for anyone just getting started with art?

I find it difficult to answer this question in one sentence with one top tip but maybe in my experience it is important to find someone who understands your approach to mentor/teach you.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about?

In my work I explore our relationship with the natural world – a voyage of discovery which in turn enables us to become more aware of ourselves. This creates a selfscape – a keener sense of self and our part in the wider ecology of place which in turn can help with our own and the community’s sense of health and wellbeing.

One of the more surprising things to come out of the Covid-19 pandemic has been a sharper awareness of, and respect for, the natural world. I hope that my work will help ensure that this appreciation does not disappear as soon as the world gets back to normal – indeed to make certain that, into the future, we develop a more sustainable way of living, caring for and engaging with our environment and the communities within it.

My work evolved out of a curiosity I have with the way in which colour can affect how I feel and how together with light and form, colour can change a space and have an emotional effect on the viewer. I have found that being creative can be good for one’s health. Through experimentation I became interested in how the viewing of art in itself can enhance a person’s feelings and impact on their health and sense of wellbeing.

I run an art class at Scarth Hall in Staindrop each Thursday morning. This class is currently full, but I am taking names and plan to get a second class up and running as soon as possible.

Website – http://www.janeyoungartist.com

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/janeyoungart/

Jane is out and about at Pow Hill Country Park on 3-4 August, and running workshops at Bowlees Visitor Centre on Monday 2 August.