Introducing Louisa Marcq: Artist, Collaborator & Champion of Creative Wellbeing

We’re delighted to shine a spotlight on British artist Louisa Marcq, whose joyful and expressive approach to art has inspired a unique collaboration with TROY London.

At the heart of Louisa Marcq’s creative practice is a simple but powerful idea: that art can make us feel better. Through her Art Feel Good classes, Louisa has created a joyful space where people of all ages and abilities can reconnect, with themselves, with others, and with the pleasure of playful self-expression.

We sat down with Louisa to learn more about how Art Feel Good began, the importance of community, and the daily rituals that inspire her work.

Tell us about Art Feel Good. How did this concept arise and what inspires you to use art to help others?

Emerging from Covid I became very aware of disconnect in community amongst people with no family. Covid was bad enough for those with family, not being able to see them, but those without family and not that good on the World Wide Web, they needed somewhere to come, chat and ease back into being social.

How powerful do you find art as a tool for supporting mental health?

Mental health is a major part of our ethos. We always begin classes with shoulder rolls and connecting with our feet on the ground...(with a lovely piece of big paper and a drawing board on your lap), we encourage all to get comfortable and start drawing with your eyes shut) starting with small Circles getting larger and larger, like a spiral, there are no rules and often people go off piste. We do this to music and sometimes draw with the hand you don’t usually use, and sometimes both hands. This exercise normally lasts for about 10 minutes and allows any stresses and strains of life to literally drift away onto the page. If I could encourage anyone with mental health problems to start the day with this exercise I am sure it would help them.

Your creativity spans portraiture, landscapes and even lampshades. How did you find your latest challenge to design a silk scarf with TROY London.

I was so flattered to be approached by Troy to design the scarves. Being a keen scarf wearer , and a lover of horses it was a great fit. And i am really pleased they way they came out. I do sometimes wish I could stick to one thing but being creative, I find myself always wanting to try new things, which in a positive way allows me to collaborate on projects like this, The Art Feel Good element is my anchor and one learns off others especially those who may be struggling.

Your creativity spans portraiture, landscapes and even lampshades. How did you find your latest challenge to design a silk scarf with TROY London.

I was so flattered to be approached by TROY to design the scarves. Being a keen scarf wearer, and a lover of horses it was a great fit. And I am really pleased they way they came out. I do sometimes wish I could stick to one thing but being creative, I find myself always wanting to try new things, which in a positive way allows me to collaborate on projects like this, The Art Feel Good element is my anchor and one learns off others especially those who may be struggling.

Do you find animals easier to depict than people?

The character of Dogs seems to be easier to capture than that of people or horses but I do love working on all of the above and am quietly working on a range of human characters, which I hope to be ready to show during my event with TROY London in August.

Louisa pictured joining TROY London at our stand in Kentucky offering Pet Portraits.

If you could own any painting, which one would it be?

I do love Munnings in the spirit of Suffolk animals and capturing life. I am potty about my black Pekingese so right this minute I would chose 'Black Knight' by Sir Alfred Munnings, which depicts the much adored Pekingese of his wife Lady Violet Munnings

You hail from neighboring Suffolk. What is your favourite spot for a walk and your favourite place for a long lunch.

Well, my happy place would have to be Fritton lake where the food is really delicious and you can have a lakeside sauna post lunch. If I'm not allowed to choose this, as it technically is just within the Norfolk county border, I would choose the Solebay Fish Company on the harbour at Southwold. You can take your own wine and butter to accompany lots of lovely fresh fish.

YOU ARE INVITED

You are invited! We are delighed to be hosting, alongside Louisa, a day of feel good creativity on the Norfolk Coast, we hope to see you there.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT HERE

Louisa's Picks

TROY x Louisa Marcq Silk Scarf in Sky Blue

TROY x Louisa Marcq Silk Scarf in Sky Blue

TROY x Louisa Marcq Silk Scarf in Sky Blue

£95.00
£95.00
Tracker Jacket in Khaki

Tracker Jacket in Khaki

Tracker Jacket in Khaki

£250.00
£250.00