In this conversation with Katy Hessel, the artist reflects on her time in Venice and the city's influence on her most recent paintings, which are on view exclusively online and in our new virtual gallery on Vortic. Vortic Collect is available to download from the App Store.

What does paint mean to you?

I love paint. I think it’s delicious. I find it the most thrilling, exciting stuff. I like the idea of it being excessive and luxuriating in it. And I hope that comes through in my work.

You often talk about paint and food. How do they relate in your mind?

I like the idea of food in relation to paint. I think there's something alluring about that, and also maybe a little bit repugnant at the same time. It shares some of the same connotations of excess with the Rococo.

Do you paint with an idea of excess in mind?

I do want my work to have a sense of fullness, kind of like a mouthful or something. I think about eating cake when making paintings! Most of my ideas come from consumerism, and that's massively tied up with ideas of the feminine and women.