OUT of the kitchen and into a "dingy" cellar doesn't sound like the ideal beginnings for a new company but for Felicity Osborne it was merely confirmations that what she was doing as an artists could be a success.
Her business, based in Shrubbery Avenue, Barbourne, has been running for a little over a year, from where Felicity, (also known as Fliss), makes and sells her unique artworks on canvas.
Paintings can be viewed and purchased directly from her online store, but she’s also happy to accept commissions if a client requires artwork for a specific setting.
Using a variety of fluid art techniques and particular materials, Fliss creates one-off pieces which are vibrant and dynamic. From large canvases to smaller pieces, work available for purchase in a variety of colours, styles and prices.
Originally from Ludlow, Felicity completed a Fine Art degree in Hull. She then went on to qualify as an art teacher working at Marling Grammar and Lancing College in West Sussex. After seven years in Hong Kong, raising children and a decade working for a schools expedition company.
Felicity had not created art for 20 years, she then accidentally found herself immersed once again, after a renovation project led to investigating resin pours.
“I was advised by my builder to practise first, so I bought paints, canvases and studied YouTube videos.
“I soon forgot about my original project and became absorbed with fluid art techniques and could see the potential for amazing outcomes.
“However, it took a lot of practice, trial and error to get to the stage I’m at now.
“Eventually I reached the point where my kitchen was suffering, paint on the floor and worktops and materials all over the cooker. Clients were asking for larger canvases which I just couldn’t manage.
“So, I decided to make use of my dingy cellar and started to convert it into a studio. Luckily the whole project was completed just at the start of the first lockdown.
“The timing was ideal. I work as a part-time art technician at RGS Worcester, so when schools closed I had the time to set up my new studio and take my art to another level.
“When I first started to feel confident enough with my work to go public, I opened an Etsy store to test the waters and see if my work would sell. It’s always nerve-wracking not knowing how others will respond to something you’ve made and have a personal connection with.
"When you’ve created something from scratch they are kind of your ‘babies’, although I also understand that not everyone takes to abstract art. Not long after I opened my store, I was contacted by an Edinburgh-based designer who commissioned me to make a series of works for labelling a new craft beer.
"This gave me a huge confidence boost as the designer and photographer were so complimentary. Sadly the whole project has been postponed due to Covid, but I hope to one day see the bottles and cans with my designs on the supermarket shelves.
"Other memorable moments have been my first sales to the United States. It’s a great feeling knowing that one of my artworks is hanging in a condo which overlooks Miami Beach, another in a range in Texas and a large circular commissioned piece is in Tennessee as well as several others.
"I’m lucky enough to have had great support from friends, family and work colleagues. My first customer and commission was from an old school friend who was supportive through Facebook, but who I hadn’t actually seen for over 30 years!
"Friends online and here in Worcester have been so encouraging, it’s given me faith in my endeavours.
“Since then I’ve sold pieces to clients in Belgium, Ireland, Bulgaria, Spain and the States. More recently I was invited by House and Garden Magazine to feature in their Art Edit. It’s been thrilling to see my work featured.
“I’ve joined local groups such as the Worcestershire Etsy team and Worcestershire Open Studios to get involved with local events and exhibitions in the future.
“I always feel a great sense of privilege that people value my artwork enough to give up precious wall space in their house.”
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