Stroud Times sat down with artist Nick Grellier.
Nick lives and walks in Stroud, recently moving into town and taking a studio at SVA having circled around the area in various villages and studios since 1992.
She has four children, a dog, and a cat. Nick works across drawing, collage, print, stitched work, and assemblage and makes one small drawing every day as a part of her practice and discipline..a sort of meditative act in a similar way to walking.
The work emerges as a kind of diary or journal alongside accompanying text which describes the emotional and autobiographical experience and the tragic-comic she sees present in almost everything.
When were you at your happiest? It comes and goes. I hate to think of it being some time in the past. It’s a state of clarity.
What has been your biggest disappointment? I should have been more clued up about where to study and how to manage my art career. In the late 80s, I was completely naive. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to do an MA.
What is your guiltiest pleasure? Bingeing on Nordic Noir.
What is your favourite smell? Damp cellars, the underside of dog paws.
Who would play you in a film about your life? Frances McDormand’s boiler suit.
What do you like most about Stroud? It’s full of lovely industrial buildings and you can walk out of town into the hills and find a network of wonderful walks; great and unusual people; and there’s always something good going on.
What would you improve about Stroud? Not much.
What is your ideal weekend? Sunshine and DIY.
What is on your bucket list? A lot more walking, in lots of countries.
What is the most important lesson life has taught you? Walk as much as possible. Don’t jump to conclusions. Things usually turn out ok. Don’t panic. Be nice.
What book, song, and one drink you would you take with you if stranded on an uninhabited island? A really great wild survival book. Playing one song would completely kill it so maybe just Feeling Groovy – it always cheers me up, whisky.