'My Morning Cup Of...' with Katty McMurray

What drink do you have to start the day?

A rooibos tea in a china mug. My favourite at the moment is one made by Art House Meath. I've got a fair few by them but today I've got the dogs one by Margaret Mace, the drawings are just brilliant.

What are your studio essentials?

Michael Harding paints, my much loved paint splattered apron (which I've had for many many years)  and linen stretched and ready to go.

What do you listen to whilst you work?

I’ll switch Radio 4 on and pepper it with a spot of Melanie on vinyl, she has been the soundtrack to a lot of my painting over last 30 years  (I'm a bit of a hippie at heart) Ooh and recently Laura Marling. I saw her last night at the Dome, she’s amazing and inspiring. When I'm in the mood I'll put my very talented brother aka LC Pumpkin.


What has been the most influential advice someone has given you?

'Don't forget the drawing'. I have this scrawled on my studio wall!  All my work is based on my numerous sketches, if the drawing is good the paintings usually find their own way.

What was the last thing you saw that inspired you?

All sorts of things inspire me, sometimes just a simple line or a collection of gathered stones can be the start of a new colour palette. Recently I went to Rachel Deacon's new exhibition. Rachel and I were at the Chelsea Art School together, in fact we go back even further and went to the Epsom School of Art together when we were both 16. We had joint exhibitions for many years. Her work is beautiful, strong yet serene, and she has an absolutely fantastic sense of colour. This latest collection at the Catto Gallery in London is stunning, and wonderful to see such a large collection.

Image by Rachel Deacon taken from www.cattogallery.co.uk