insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 15 - May 2016 | Page 27

ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT

ARTIST PROFILE:

Yvette Driver, LittlePapa
Working under the name, LittlePapa, Brighton-based artist, Yvette Driver, specialises in laser
cutting, resin work, and hand-drawn art. From badges, to jewellery and bespoke artwork, if
something inspires her, she makes it, and this year will be her first Artists Open Houses.

How would you describe LittlePapa?
LittlePapa was created while my children
were small. I wanted the joy of spending time
with them while keeping my mind active and
challenged, so I began by designing colourblock children's t-shirts. Once I had mastered
this, I quite fancied having a go at laser
cutting, which opened up a whole new world
and I began experimenting with all mediums,
constantly pushing my boundaries.
What inspires you?
In a word: everything, although, I am usually
led by anything retro, or music related. My
laser-cut FAB lolly and Mr Whippy ice cream
necklaces and badges were created after
a stroll along the seafront; I love the vibrant
colours of the 100s and 1000s against a bright
blue sky. Lyrics also play a big part in my work.
I love that they can mean one thing to one
person and something completely different to
another. Resin is perfect for this, and I have
managed to encapsulate lyrics within resin
to be loved forever in the form of jewellery, or
bespoke, framed artwork.
Do you have a favourite piece of work?
My favourite piece of work is always the next
one that I'm plotting. Sometimes I get ideas
in the middle of the night and that thought
process is by far the most exciting bit. I’ll think
of ways to make it happen, materials, and
colours, and I literally can’t sit still until I am at a
table and producing it.

What is it about Brighton and Hove
particularly that makes it so suited to
creatives?
Brighton is the perfect place to be creative. It
is a beautiful, vibrant city and it’s impossible
not to get the creative bug here. There are so
many talented artists on our doorstep; through
doing craft fairs around the city I have met
some wonderful people and each one is doing
something completely different. It’s so inspiring
to be a part of it.
What is the most difficult project you’ve
undertaken?
During the learning process there are always
a few teething problems. Sometimes ideas
can seem quite simple, but achieving the look
isn't as easy as you thought. I have glue gun
scars and have had scalpel accidents; I’ve had
glitter in my eyes and brightly-coloured blobs
of resin are now a permanent fixture on my
kitchen work surfaces. You need patience to
create. Once I've mastered a piece, the reward
massively outweighs the black Sharpie pen
marks on my newly-painted nails.
Where can we see your work?
This year I have signed up to open my own
home for the Artists Open Houses during May.
It will be my first Open House. Having wanted
a shop bursting with beautiful things for as long
as I can remember, I jumped at the opportunity.
I will be displaying my resin and laser-cut
jewellery, alongside some framed light boxes

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and framed, resin, lyric work. I have scoured
the streets of Brighton and Hove for the most
fabulous artists to join me in my venture, and
together with them, I have compiled a house
full of beautiful things. LittleP \H