Transcript:

What I'd buy and why, Celia Martine Pickering. Listen, I kind of haven't stopped thinking about this artist since I saw her work way back at the Women in Art Fair in October. There were two large scale pieces that immediately stood out to me, bold

colors, bold use of cropping and scale. There was something so confident and unapologetic about the way she worked within the confines of the paper that I naturally went digging. She was showing with Arts for Dementia and tucked away in

the booth for these incredible smaller works on paper, just as strong as the larger one. And that's when I had this real like, wait, what? Who is this?

With a style this distinct, her use of industrial paint, layered mark making, and an undeniable energy, I assumed she was an established artist, but she's not yet, and then I saw the prices. It's like a grant for a huge work, 150 for smaller ones.

For work this compelling, it's kind of unbelievable. And since the fair, I've kept an eye on Celia. I've interviewed her. And her story is as intriguing as the work is. She's been teaching art to young children for over a decade, something she started to help pay the mortgage when her kids were little. But it wasn't until lockdown that she began making her own work. And fast forward to now, and she's consistently selling in exhibitions.

And I think it's just a matter of time for this woman. She's got all the ingredients, a distinct visual language, an authentic story, momentum, and a whole lot of grit. And most importantly, her paintings have the feeling, the sense that life is starting again.

And that's just Awesome. For me, the flowers are the strongest works, more kind of arresting than the still lifes, but it's all really just so good. So take a look. Let me know what you think.

Explore Celia’s work.