In this engaging interview, full-time painter Constance Anne reveals the journey behind her distinctive artistic style, which blends expressive portraiture with bold, abstract elements. With a background in Design Engineering, Constance fuses creativity and structure to create stunning works that celebrate individuality and the beauty of human quirks. Known for her signature elongated figures, vibrant color palettes, and the symbolic swirls that accentuate her characters’ cheekbones, Constance’s art challenges societal norms while fostering inclusivity and self-acceptance.
In this conversation, she discusses her creative process, the influences behind her unique pieces, and her mission to create art that resonates with others on an emotional level. For both aspiring artists and art collectors, this interview provides valuable insight into the vision and techniques that define Constance Anne’s captivating contemporary portraiture.
Tim: 100 x 100 cm, Acrylic on canvas
Q: Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a full-time painter?
A: I have always painted. I grew up in a very creative home with art on the walls and interesting objects around. I would paint pieces for the house I grew up in and always dreamed of sharing my art with others—having people love my paintings and hang them in their own homes. I studied Design Engineering at the Dyson School at Imperial College London, which brought together creativity and science. I continued to paint while studying, and then I began my career working in the design and engineering industries. Earlier this year, I decided to share my artwork online and exhibited it in London. Since then, my art has grown, and I’ve realized that perhaps this could be my future. It’s special to find something you love and be able to make it your career. There is a unique feeling I get when I’m around art—it’s like a visual language. You can communicate feelings that are important to you and, perhaps, to others too.
Q: How did your early experiences shape your artistic vision and style?
A: I have always been interested in personalities and people and how we all have “odd” aspects to us—sometimes we try to hide them. I’ve often wondered what makes one person confident enough to wear a colorful, expressive coat and dye their hair, while another person is shy and hides their passions or quirks. It could be how we are influenced by stereotypes and how much we’re told throughout our lives to conform to them—or not. Sometimes, we hide or suppress our unique traits to impress others or to fit in with what’s considered “beautiful” or “normal.” My style and paintings are about showing how these “odd” characteristics can be beautiful at the same time. Every personality is different, but they can also have similarities. I believe celebrating diverse personalities through art can promote inclusivity and understanding—that we shouldn’t try to shift into or compare ourselves to others but instead be proud to be unique and one of a kind. We should love the parts of ourselves that we don’t like and always choose to be ourselves rather than someone else. I’ve painted since I was very young and was taught to be strong and free with a paintbrush, not scared of it. I love piecing together new personalities and creating characters with stories to share. I’ve always painted portraits, and I find it fascinating to see how detailed a portrait can be versus how just a few lines are enough to capture a personality.
Jude: 25.5 x 20.2 cm, Acrylic on canvas
Q: Elongated figures are a signature element in your art. How did this concept originate?
A: I found it interesting to study portraits and the movement of the face, trying to figure out how to bring a personality through visually. I explored painting portraits in realism, then also experimented with minimal lines to see how both styles could capture a personality. I would paint detailed realistic portraits, then have fun removing elements, creating odd shapes or proportions, and distorting them to see if I could still retain the personality. I then developed certain key strokes I observed to be the most important aspects that defined each personality I painted. A combination of interesting proportions—such as elongation, geometry, and expressive marks—can produce different characters that hold a bold and fun feeling when viewed.
Q: In addition to the figures, the swirl on the cheekbones adds a distinctive touch to your designs. What significance does it hold, and how does it enhance the overall impact of your pieces?
A: The swirls are both expressive and symbolic, representing fun, joy, freedom, and life. They provide a contrast to the strong, angled lines I create for the nose and cheekbones. Often, it’s our cheeks—and the color of them—that betray our feelings when we try to conceal them. Although expressive, the size, structure, and placement of the swirls for each character are significant features that contribute to the character’s essence.
Kendra: 80 x 60 cm, Acrylic on canvas
Q: Building off the physical aspects of the characters in your art, could you walk us through the features of your mock portraits and explain how you utilize them to convey their personalities?
A: My studies and sketches are where I think about the composition of a piece and the specific combination of lines that will match the personality I want to convey. For example, if I want to portray a sweet, gentle yet strong character, I’ll consider the fullness of their cheekbones, the distance between their nose and lips, the strength of their pout, the messiness of their hair, the sharpness of their jaw, and whether they’re wearing a laid-back t-shirt, jumper, shirt, or blazer, etc. Composition is key in the planning of a painting. For example, I may decide to show more of the body in a particular pose or focus on a close-up of the face to add context to a personality.
Q: When creating your pieces, you start with a specific personality in mind that you want to capture. Is there a personality or personalities that recur in your work? If so, do you attempt to capture them differently each time, and what draws you to these particular personalities?
A: I like to bring strength and a whimsical feel to most of my work. These traits exist in all of us and are important to me. When developing a personality, the layout of the dominant lines I use, the colors, the hair, and the clothes they’re wearing are all aspects I can control and play with, like a toolbox for building a completely unique combination of personality traits.
Cora: 40 x 30 cm, Acrylic on canvas
Q: Reflecting on your work, do you believe your own personality plays a role in capturing the personalities of your characters? If so, how does it influence the essence of your pieces?
A: Perhaps there’s an essence of myself in all of them, which is fun. Sometimes, I create personalities with traits I wish I were confident enough to show. I think colors and clothes are the most direct expression of me in my work. I mix and paint with colors I love, and I create clothes I would wear myself. The backstories I imagine for my characters also connect to my personality, as I’m always dreaming up stories to escape into.
Q: You mentioned wanting to celebrate the beauty in what society often perceives as “weird.” What inspired you to embrace this theme, and how do you feel personally connected to it?
A: The lack of confidence many people, including myself, experience often leads us to pretend in some moments of life. This, I believe, is the main inspiration behind my work. To be happy and fulfilled, we can’t keep our true selves hidden, even when it might be easier to pretend or become someone else. I find strength in painting something that could be perceived as “weird” or “out of the ordinary,” but still beautiful. Perhaps by exploring this concept of what is “odd,” we can reframe our views on it. “Odd” only exists because society has defined it as different from what’s considered usual or expected. It interests me to question what’s normal. Most of us are a little “odd,” but we often hide it because we think it’s bad or embarrassing. I want to display something “weird” through art and show that personality and life can exist in it. By personifying art and humanizing “weird,” I hope to allow us to reconsider our perspectives on it and ask ourselves whether “weird” is always bad.
Jamie In The Drawing Room, 100 x 100cm, Acrylic on canvas
Q: We’ve observed a cohesive approach to the colors used in your work. Could you explain your process for selecting colors and the overarching themes that guide these choices?
A: I love color—the complexity and simplicity of it. It’s fascinating how we can combine different colors to evoke different feelings. Colors are often associated with emotions or moods, which can also reflect the personalities in my work. I also think about color in the home and how it can make a statement in a room. Color can set the tone of a painting, and I often work with colors that exist around us—in our homes or outside—colors that are tangible. In many of my paintings, there’s a warmth that comes through from the colors. Sometimes, my works will have soft, muted colors with fewer tones, while others have more contrasting hues. Color is also important when considering the era or time a character represents. Some colors evoke a certain period or age. I typically select colors early in the planning stages of a piece, as they truly connect to the personality I’m portraying. If the personality is strong and smart, yet a little edgy, I might choose muted tones with a spark of primary or bolder colors to show that edginess coming through the sharper traits.
Izzy Has A Plan, 100 × 100cm, Acrylic on canvas
Q: As we look ahead, are there any upcoming exhibitions or events that you’re excited to share?
A: I’ve just moved into a studio in London and am now doing private viewings. In 2025, I’ll be hosting a solo exhibition pop-up in London, which is currently being planned. All details will be shared on Instagram and my website next year. I’ll also be participating in the Open Studios at Wimbledon Art Fair, which takes place twice a year—once in the summer and again around November.
Q: Finally, what advice do you have for aspiring artists seeking to develop their own unique artistic voice?
A: Explore freely, and don’t be afraid to be bold and imperfect. Create art that you love, art that is important to you, and that you want to be surrounded by, because that’s when it resonates with others. Develop your work, focus on it, and share it as much as you can. Don’t give up—keep creating, and you will evolve into someone who creates the things they truly love.
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