Peachzz "Painting is a way I can invite nature back into urban spaces"

Peachzz is an international street artist based in Sheffield. Her colourful, natural work does exactly what you'd want from street art – makes you stop and stare, standing in contrast to bare brick, concrete and tarmac.

You can see her work in Macclesfield, Mexico and everywhere in between. We took a few minutes to chat to her about what she does, alongside featuring some of her lovely mural work.

How did you start out as a street artist? What first inspired you to pick up the paints and what was the process behind scaling your work up to cover such big spaces?

I first saw street art when I went to Bristol and witnessed street artists painting. I thought to myself how amazing it was, but it seemed impossible. I didn't even consider how I could do it myself. I was just in pure awe.

Just a few years on, whilst studying in my last year of Illustration at Sheffield Hallam, a couple of friends of mine started going out to abandoned spots to paint, which Sheffield was rich in at the time. Very quickly we were out painting spots every week, especially behind the iconic Niche nightclub.

It was in scaling up my work with spray paints that I truly discovered my passion. After years of struggling to find my artistic niche, this experience allowed me to express myself through bold gestures and vibrant colours. It was a transformative moment.

Your work has a real connection to nature. It's refreshing to see such colourful natural imagery in urban settings. Is that one of the main motivations for the subjects of your pieces? Why is that important to you?

I have an affinity with wildlife and a compulsion to paint it, especially in abandoned spaces. I loved the contrast with the dilapidated concrete structures. It was like nature was emerging back into these spaces.

Later in my painting career, I like to portray nature as a way to remind the viewer of what is around us. It is a way I can, in my own way, invite nature back into these spaces.

I would like to think my work is constantly evolving, whether it's pushing myself technically or conceptually. A few years back, I completed a project with Arts Council England to paint portraits, which was an important challenge for me.

I want to be able to connect with the public and tell a story, whether it's about biodiversity, community or culture. I consider these three things my main values.

A real perk of the job must be all the travelling you've done. Have there been any recent highlights? Is the experience of painting any different in other parts of the world?

There are so many highlights, with the main ones coming from the people I have met and the cultures I have experienced. It is one of the main things that inspire my work and fuel such colourful pieces.

It's important to remember how special our planet is, especially when the world is struggling with its conflicts. There are so many good people and beautiful places.

What are you working on at the minute? Anything in Sheffield?

I'm currently working on an amazing project in Walkley with Zest, which will be completed by the end of February.

Anything else you'd like to share with people?

I would love to share the news that me and my studio partner will be putting on a street art festival this year or next called lick of paint fest, a good one to keep your eyes peeled for!