Every month we pose 7 questions to a Chamber member: this time it’s Louise Le Pelley

1. Who are you & what do you? 

I’m Louise. I’ve been painting and creating for the last five years and have seen success sharing my artwork publicly on Facebook and Instagram under the handle Guernsey Pubs.  Since 2022, I’ve also been working within the arts and culture sector at Guernsey Arts, working on fundraising, events and marketing.

As an artist, I create illustrations of Guernsey pubs, restaurants and hospitality hotspots. I like to celebrate up and coming places as well as nostalgic buildings from days gone by.

  

2. How did you develop your style or artistic career?

My journey into the arts wasn’t straightforward. After studying Modern Languages at Durham and earning marketing qualifications, I worked in tourism, market research, and content creation.

In 2019, with more free time, I started evening art classes and joined the St Peter Port Sketch Club during the pandemic. Sketching local buildings became my creative outlet, and I quickly became passionate about urban sketching.

3. How do you balance your day job with your development as an artist?

I’m lucky to have a very creative day job – I get to meet lots of wonderful Islanders from across the arts, as well as arts appreciators, and help creative projects succeed from start to finish.

My own art takes place in my free time and if I’ve learnt anything, it’s to just go for it. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day, it makes me feel very positive to be creative and to have artwork on the go.

I believe that sharing the positivity of arts and culture is very important and there is always something new to learn. We have an amazing arts local community that offers lots of opportunities to get involved… every day of the week!

4. What motivates you to create?

To know that my artwork has been meaningful for the community and has brought happiness to others really inspires me to keep going. Painting, volunteering and promoting the arts in Guernsey is a privilege that I deeply cherish, whether that be as an artist, within my funding and marketing role at Guernsey Arts or across the arts community groups that I play a small part of.

Art really does makes everything better!

5. Tell me about your dream project?

My dream project is for my artwork to travel! In the past two years, my work has been featured in an inflight magazine, appeared on a stamp, and I’ve created a range of postcards. I love hearing where they end up and how people carry a piece of their favorite place with them.

Looking forward, my dream is to keep painting, telling stories through art, and creating illustrations inspired by places I visit. This dream is underway, with my Guernsey Pubs & Buildings exhibit in Germany this autumn.

6. What book, teacher or artist has shaped your life and why?

I’ve been lucky enough to learn from incredible teachers, books, and artists during my studies in the UK, France, and Germany.

But, it’s my family who has been my biggest inspiration in arts and culture. My dad, Paul, a former English teacher, instilled in me a love for books and stories, while my French mum, Catherine, has always brought a strong French influence into my life.

A lot of my inspiration comes from an appreciation of French joie de vivre combined with an appreciation for Guernsey’s close community. Organisations such as Sarnia Arts and Crafts Club, Guernsey Art Network and St Peter Port Sketch Club have also really helped me develop my confidence as an artist.

7. Tea, Coffee or something a little stronger?

Black coffee, mint tea, cherry soda… As long as I’m well hydrated, I am happy!

Keep in touch with Louise’s story on Instagram. Or pop into Chamber HQ to view Louise’s artwork