PAINTER | INGRID SANCHEZ

“We live in a digital era, where we are all online, like we artists and developers are there like you just need to look for us. In a way it’s easy to find a good fit to work and collaborate.” -Ingrid Sanchez

Ingrid Sanchez is a full time artist and designer. She teaches workshops in her home-studio as well as many cities abroad. She is most known for her loose dynamic style and non-sketching approach. Watercolour always serves as her ground base and other mediums like inks or acrylics join in depending on how her paintings evolve. Her artworks are the result of constant and fearless experimentation. What is your definition of studio space?

Well, I would say it has to be a place that has all the qualities that allow one’s creativity and inspiration to flow. It is quite a sacred place for me, to be honest. I kind of mix my meditation practice with my painting practice. So it feels like half yoga studio half painting studio.

Collaborative studio spaces are on the rise. Do you believe this formula can work?

Not for everyone, I think it’s a great formula, especially to share expenses. Having a private studio can be really expensive in London.

But  I don’t think is for everybody.  I need my own space I’m really introverted so having people around when I need to work sounds like a terrible idea for me, but I guess that everyone is different. There’s a lot of people that seek that energy; they need to talk you know, but that’s not me. I also paint on the floor so I occupy quite a big space to move around and to have everything I need so at the end of the day, it’s like a bomb exploded in the studio. So if I have to share that it’s not really ideal.

Do believe that London has an impact on your art?

Yeah, for sure. There’s a lot going on around all the time. I guess if I feel blocked or I need inspiration all you need to do is go out and look for exhibitions or just go for a walk in the garden. There are so many artists in the city to visit. And they change with the seasons, which is amazing. It’s also a city where finding materials it’s very easy for me, because of the impact because a lot of people travel here. And I teach workshops. So it’s very common that I have my classes filled with travelers, which might be harder if I lived in another place.

Would you consider moving outside of London?

Oh, well, I move all the time. I have lived in Mexico and Barcelona and New York City for a number of years. I think I will continue to move. But I do consider London to be my base. I always come back here. I would probably move again at some point.

And so moving again, do you think it would impact your work?

I don’t think it will have an impact, to be honest. I teach workshops in lots of places I teach in New York City I teach in Barcelona and I earn some of my income online and even my agent is from America. So I am not really restricted by location. I feel like I can work anywhere.

What do you think the future of studio space will look like?

For me, I need more space. Because I live in a flat, my studio is quite small and this year I was planning to buy a house. One of the conditions is that I can find one with a room that I can convert into a studio. I teach classes so I need more space for my students. I am super happy where I am now even though the space is small I can still work. Really the problem is when students come to the space I have to move everything around and I have to make room for them.

And how do you believe we can ensure artists remain in London in the future?

Probably one of the biggest challenges is the cost of living here. Probably providing affordable studio spaces is a way to do it. There are already some in West London. I remember a couple of years ago, I was looking for a space and I applied to them, but no one replied. Or I really had to chase them. So it was not easy to see or access those affordable studios. So I guess they don’t have enough people or resources to the job like properly. But yeah, that’s a way.

And then my last question, how do you think artists can collaborate with developers in London to try to maintain it’s cultural community?

A platform like this one is a great idea. But honestly, I think it’s a job from both sides, it’s just about making some research. We live in a digital era, where we are all online, like we artists and developers are there like you just need to look for us like there are websites and social media. In a way it’s easy to find a good fit to work and collaborate.