WHAT THIS ARTIST DOES ALL DAY...

FRANS WESSELMAN

We thought it was about time to return to our idea to find out more about the daily rhythms of some of our featured artists. This month we sat down with printmaker and glass artist Frans Wesselman to hear about his day.

MG: Thanks so much for joining us today, I wondered if we could start with asking when and how your working day starts?

FW:  I tend to get up quite early, make Hazel a cup of tea, have a shower and usually do a bit of work before breakfast. As I am a printmaker as well as a stained glass artist and painter, this often is of a preparatory or other not too taxing nature. 
After breakfast it is time to get going with some serious work, the time to try out new ideas, work on new designs or, if necessary, print a run of linocuts. This is also the best time to get on with a painting as the light is best. Any of these things can take more or less time, creativity flows better some days than others, printing can be easy or more complicated, as can the glass painting. Lunch at about one, then carry on with the job in hand. I get out on my bicycle for an hour virtually every day, do the shopping if it is my turn to cook, or just go for a ride. 

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Morning Tea, an etching by Frans Wesselman

The Far Horizon, woodcut by Frans Wesselman

Reading in bed, stained glass panel

MG: Does your daily rhythm change with the seasons?

FW: In the summer I spend time at the allotment, sometimes really early in the morning, a lovely time to be there, or in the late afternoon or early evening. As there is less to do there in autumn and winter, I get my recorders out again. I am quite deaf, so these days I just play on my own. Cook, look at the emails, maybe finish off some work, then get on with my book, I read quite a lot, and am usually in bed at about ten. ​

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MG: What makes a good day?

FW: A good day is when I think I have created something worthwhile, but often my opinion changes in the following days. And sometimes I get really nice comments, like one from a lady in London who emailed me out of the blue to say she still really enjoys the painting she bought thirty years ago.

 Having had a family to support by my work, supplemented by teaching the odd short course here and there, has been one measure of moderate success. Now I don’t really think about that anymore. My painting, drawing, stained glass is what I am, I have enjoyed doing those things and being able to continue to do them is what excites me and keeps me content. That there can also be a financial reward is a bonus.

Frans Wesselman's studio

MG: What couldn’t you live without in your studio?

FW: As all my work starts with a drawing, I would be really at a loss without my pen and ink. I have a nice glass pen holder that a friend bought for me in Venice, it has been with me for twenty years now. 

MG: Thank you Frans, for giving us an insight into your day and perspective as an artist. I hope you have a fruitfully creative day!
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Frans at work in his studio in Worcester