One of the most significant moments from my journey as an artist was selling my work at my degree show. The experience opened my eyes to the fact that my art had an audience and potential beyond the studio,” says British Artist Eleanor McColl.

She says it took a few more years before she began exhibiting with galleries and fairs, but the excitement of sharing her work with a wider audience never fades. “There is no greater joy than knowing someone loves my work enough to bring it into their home,” she says, adding that she takes immense pride in having her art displayed in homes around the world, which she calls, “a testament to the connections it creates.”

McColl studied Fine Art in Bristol University of West England and made her way to Hong Kong immediately afterwards to help set up an art school. Two years later, in 2002, she launched her own art establishment, Chameleon Workshop, marking the beginning of her journey in helping others express their creativity.

After closing the location on Queen’s Road East, McColl later opened a studio in Discovery Bay in 2011 where she now lives. Since then, she says she has juggled motherhood, her own creative practice and teaching, ensuring that her in-studio teaching is only ever two days per week and the other three days are spent either working on her own collections or visiting schools/corporates as an Artist in Residence, where she facilitates murals and runs workshops. “My teaching practice has become increasingly more important to me as I get older. I love the community I have built and the aspect of giving back. It’s taken a while to find the right balance and I am so happy with it.”

Though almost three decades ago, McColl’s personal work continues to view Hong Kong with all of the rapture of a newly besotted. The Briton works primarily with oils, but also creates mixed media collage pieces that blend her photography with painting. The result is bold, colourful works with relatable imagery, and a spin-off range of nicely-finished merchandise from tea towels and bags to notebooks that can be bought from her web shop and prestigiously, the M+ shop.

“I find inspiration everywhere I go,” she says. “I love the peeling walls, the transport, the contrast between shiny, reflective surfaces and traditional stained and chipped tiles on the floor in a wet market or teahouse,” she enthuses over Hong Kong.

McColl says she feels compelled to record and create what she sees in some way, aiming to weave her life experiences into her creative process, allowing each piece to reflect a personal narrative, “Whether it’s a fleeting moment during a walk or a cherished memory from my travels… These elements come together to form a rich tapestry of inspiration. With my art, I aim to transform everyday observations into meaningful works that resonate with others.”

“As an artist, I am constantly learning and evolving, always seeking new techniques and ways to enhance my skills. This journey of exploration fuels my creativity and stops me becoming stagnant in my practice,” she says, adding that she views one downside as being the relationship between artist and gallerist. She explains that many of the main galleries she’s collaborated with have now left Hong Kong, and she’s eager to find a gallery, where she can grow and establish a lasting relationship that is mutually beneficial and supportive.

“I never take sales for granted; each transaction is a reminder of the impact art can have, but there are periods when sales may be slow,” she says, confiding that during those times, perseverance is key and burnishing hopes, important.

“My next goal is to partner with an overseas gallery, which could open up new opportunities for my work. I must admit that I’m not a natural salesperson, and I often wish I could delegate that responsibility. This aspect of the art world can be a significant hurdle for me, and finding a supportive gallery partnership would truly elevate my practice. By resolving this challenge, I believe I could take my art to the next level and focus more on what I love: creating.”