Full name:
Eleanor Herring
Where did you grow up?
In the beautiful rolling hills of North Yorkshire, near a small cathedral city similar to Ely called Ripon. I am fortunate to have had a very idyllic childhood playing in the fields and deer park around my home.
Education:
After leaving school, I did a Foundation Course in Art and Design at Leeds College of Art and Design, followed by Silversmithing and Jewellery Design at Sheffield Hallam, with part of my second year in South Korea at Kookmin University in Seoul on exchange. Following that, I completed a course in History of Art at Oxford University and qualified as a picture restorer through City and Guilds in London.
Your previous role and place of work:
I have been a self-employed artist and restorer for a number of years. Before that I worked in luxury hospitality and interior design marketing in London, and before that I worked as a picture restorer for private conservation studios and the Royal Collection, where part of my role was helping to look after the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress while on display during the summer opening at Buckingham Palace!
What are you most looking forward to about working at King’s Ely?
The people. The school is such a lovely supportive community of wonderfully kind individuals. I look forward to working more with students and helping them develop as creators, they are the next generation!
Hobbies/interests outside of school:
My husband works with Old Master paintings, so we spend a lot of time going to exhibitions and looking at art together. Taking our dog for a long country walk. I also like to dabble in gardening. If that wasn’t enough, I love to create and paint, whether that’s pieces for clients or decorating spaces.
Any pets?
We have a gorgeous but very naughty food-stealing rocket ball of a whippet named Luna!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
An artist and restorer – actually while at Junior School I wrote a story about wanting to become a picture restorer after watching a documentary about restoring Windsor Castle following the fire. In my story I wrote that when I grew up I would restore Windsor Castle, and marry Prince William, alas the latter didn’t happen (obviously), however, I did get to work on a project at Windsor restoring a wall! So, your 8-year-old dreams can happen!
What is your favourite meal/food?
I’ll do almost anything for clotted cream caramel ice cream, or chocolate.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To move things with my mind or fly.
Who is your hero?
So many! There could never just be one person. People do heroic things every day, whether that’s giving up their seat on the train or pulling someone from a burning building. But I think I have a rather special family, with some incredible people within it who are heroic to me in many different ways.
What was the last book you read?
I would love to say something very serious and grown up but given that it is around 20 years since Harry Potter was published, I have been re-reading those books; they are still some of my favourite novels.
What song are you most likely to sing at a karaoke?
I have been known to sing Shallow or a bit of Disney.
What is your favourite film?
So many to choose from, but I love an oldie like ‘How to Steal a Million’ with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole about stealing a forgery from a museum in Paris.
Do you have any phobias or fears?
I have a huge fear of breaking/injuring my hands – it is after all how I create!
Name three things you would want with you if stranded on a desert island for a week:
My husband, my dog Luna, and it is a toss-up between a camera to capture all the moments of us together in such a beautiful destination, or a painting set to entertain and translate what I see onto paper.