Hatfield Hines' Naomi Clements inspires the EDP

Hatfield Hines artist Naomi Clements talks to the EDP about drawing, Old Masters and a room of one's own - down at the bottom of the garden...

"Naomi is a stickler when it comes to drawing. 'For me drawing is the key to good painting - you can tell by looking at a painting if the artist can draw. Drawing forms the basis of everything from the composition to the execution,' she explains.

She is very inspired by the Danish artist Vilhelm Hammershoi. 'He does these marvellous paintings of interiors where he often paints his wife as well - not as a portrait but as a rather fleeting figure who seems to add something mysterious to the mix.'

She is fascinated by the Old Masters and often visits the National Gallery to research her work. 'For portraits it may be Goya, Rembrandt or Durer. For interiors I may look at Pieter de Hooch, Vermeer and Hammershoi. I long to achieve the depth and beauty of the Old Masters but with comtemporary settings and subjects.'

Naomi's studio - at the bottom of the garden - is pristine and tidy. 'I do find my studio a haven of tranquility after the chaos and noise of family life in the main house. When I get in and close the door I breathe a huge sigh of relief,' she says."

To see more of Naomi Clements' work click here.

Something for the (Heritage) Weekend..?

Fancy getting to grips with gas, plumbing the depths of the Victorian loo or taking a sedate saunter round a stateley pile - all free gratis and for nothing? Griff reckons this weekend's Heritage Open Days event could be for you...

The annual history-fest - England’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event - glories in England’s architecture and culture by allowing visitors free access to the weird & whacky properties that are either not usually open, or would normally charge an entrance fee.

This year's offering - officially launched by Griff Rhys Jones and Baroness Andrews in uber trendy Brighton - also includes tours, events and activities that focus on local architecture and culture.

Co-ordinated via English Heritage, but organised by volunteers - usually property owners or managers - for local people, the event attracted around 1 million visitors last year.

Sites up for grabs for gratis this year include follies, contemporary buildings, churches, factories, tunnels, temples, offices, private homes, industrial sites, castles, windmills, town halls - guided walks, concerts, re-enactments and trails.

For full details of what's on in the Norfolk area click here to visit English Heritage's website.

To whet your appetite - look out for: Fish 'n' Ships in Great Yarmouth; Charles Darwin Visits King's Lynn; Trials at The Old Courtroom in Norwich and Civil War re-enactors setting off canons at Greenland Fishery..!