Everyday Colours

"I spent time travelling India and Asia for a few months, and I loved capturing the vibrancy and colour that each new destination brought."

As you step into the Old School House in BS5, you’re instantly met with a creative buzz. Faint house music and the hum of sanding equipment from a jewellery artist fill the air, and as we are led up the stairs to a second-floor studio, the smell of paint wafts through the open door.

With bursts of turquoise and vibrant orange adorning canvasses on the studio walls, along with sketches and gorgeous prints, we waste no time getting to know self confesses colour addict and abstract artist, Danielle Neill.

“Having studied textiles at Bath University, and coming from a creative family, design and art has always been a part of my life”, explains Danielle. “I actually started off in the fashion print industry in London, which was such an incredible experience, and I was really able to put my skills to work. However, I learned over time that the fast fashion industry, especially for high street brands, has little time for creativity, and so I knew I had to look at other options, I was craving getting messy and letting the brush loose again!”

And so Danielle headed back West in search of a place to call home, as well as a creative hub.

“I actually found a studio before I found a home! Studios get snapped up so quickly so I knew I had to act fast, and when this space became available I jumped at it. Whilst I absolutely adore painting and designing, it can get a little lonely at times, so it’s incredible to be surrounded by other like-minded creatives, all in different industries. I, of course, did eventually find a home too, a few roads away from the studio! Having separate spaces helps me differentiate between my home life and “work”, this studio then becomes a space that allows me to get in the creative headspace I need. My style has always been quite distinctive, but with Bristol being such an accepting city of creative independents, it’s allowed me to develop my designs more freely”, says Danielle.

"I love everything about colour and it’s a real joy to create my pieces."

After taking the leap of faith from fast fashion, Danielle took her time in understanding not only her creative style but also how running a business can work.

“For me, painting is a release and something I’ve always loved, but I needed to upskill myself and delve into the business side of things, so I got in touch with The Prince’s Trust. They gave me support as well as providing the most incredible mentor, and I’m now an ambassador for them, so it’s great to give back. In 2020, just before COVID hit I was actually nominated and won the Female Business Leader award which was such an honour, to be recognised not only for my creativity but also for the work that it took to get here!”

With her distinctive colour bursts, Danielle’s passion for travel is evident throughout not only her canvass work but also her silk scarves and notebooks.

“I spent time travelling India and Asia for a few months, and I loved capturing the vibrancy and colour that each new destination brought, it’s something that still influences my work today, as well as the beautiful textiles. I love everything about colour and it’s a real joy to create my pieces.”

Having suffered from long COVID, Danielle has taken the past few months to reset and realign her vision.

“Lockdown was such a tough time for everyone, and so I took the time to reassess and evaluate where I want to be, what I enjoy most and what really makes me happy, and that’s being creative. It’s been a bit of a struggle recently as the after-effects of COVID mean it can be tricky for me to concentrate and get motivated, but as soon as I step into my studio, tie up my apron and escape into the paint, it’s where I am at my happiest.”