Sophie Louise Wells

Sophie graduated from Central Saint Martin’s with a BA(Hons) in Fine Art in 2004. Prior to this she attended Chelsea College of Art and Design. Originally from South London, she currently lives in Caterham, Surrey. In addition to being an artist, Sophie teaches at the famous BRIT School.

Sophie’s paintings are created using acrylic, aquacyrl, oil and spray paints. Although she often experiments with many other mediums and methods. Her main inspiration comes from photography because she loves the spontaneity of photographs, the quick capture and insight into other people’s lives. The imagery for her work is taken from the press and her own photos. Sophie does not want to create photorealistic paintings because the photograph itself is there to do that. She paints her own interpretation of photographs and explores the way paint moves on canvas.She likes to make an impact with colour, often trying to achieve this with a limited palette.

 Her main influences come from artists like Chuck Close, Gerhard Richer and Richard Hamilton who break down the grain of photography and combine paintings with photos. She is also very inspired by Dexter Dalwood and Patrick Caulfield. In particular by their play of composition, colour and mix of styles.