Scroll down for detailed episode notes and quick access timings
In this episode you’ll learn:
- How John got into painting whilst working at a major drama school
- What preparing actors for their own careers has taught John
- How John found Shakespeare and how his works inspire him today
In this interview, part of the Bringing it Home series on Inspirational Creatives, artist, John Link, describes how his painting stems from a fascination for Shakespeare.
Recorded at his studio in the heart of Norwich, England; John shares his creative process and how his own painting endeavours both inspire and motivate him.
Hear, too, how his painting both challenges and rewards him.
You’ll hear how he chose to follow a childhood dream of acting; and then painting.
Why he changed and how he did it.
Listen to John talk about the deep similarities between acting, directing and painting, and how they have shaped him into who he is today.
Part two publishes next week.
Items mentioned in this episode (quick access):
[02:39] John shares how he sees himself in the world today.
[03:25] Working with actors.
[03:58] Working in drama schools in London with young actors.
[04:38] John talks about his painting.
[04:58] Inspired by Shakespeare’s stories.
[05:49] How John’s two worlds meet.
[06:39] Working on commissions. Selling paintings.
[07:45] John talks us through some of the inspiration for his paintings.
[08:23] How John got into painting whilst working at a major drama school.
[09:54] Victoria Miro’s cousin. Making £13k.
[14:15] Leaving school at fourteen-and-a-half.
[15:00] Going to Denmark. The book his mother packed.
[16:50] Joining the dots from childhood to present.
[19:00] Going to drama school and meeting his wife.
[20:51] Testing out his directorial intentions.
[22:20] Becoming a director.
[23:30] David Jones at The Royal Shakespeare’s London Company.
[24:20] Working with a young actor, John Bell.
[24:53] Peter Hall and John Barton at The Royal Shakespeare’s Stratford Company.
[26:28] Leaving Stratford leaving deflated and turning down an opportunity with Trevor Nunn.
[28:40] Why John wanted to be an actor.
[31:20] The reality of acting.
[32:25] John describes his relationship with his art as a director and as a painter.
[33:00] The creative process; asking questions.
[34:14] Pursuing stories.
[35:22] The characters John paints.
[35:57] Being self-taught.
[37:25] John relates Shakespeare to modern life.
[38:36] Falling into patterns.
[39:30] Friends that support.
Links and Resources:
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