Why do you create art?Ha Ha, I think the answer is what would happen if I didn’t. I know I am not good when I don’t create. Go a bit bonkers. I create for myself for self care as well as to bring joy to others, they don’t have to buy from me I hope I can bring joy visually to others.
Tell us about your journey to become an artist?Art and drawing has weaved its way in and out of my life. When my kids were little I needed some extra money and I started making cloth fairy dolls and selling them. I also took a fabric painting class and started making colourful fairy dresses and boy’s rainbow pants and selling them at the markets, which was very successful. I moved into art quilts and would dye/paint my fabrics to use in them. I still loved drawings but wasn’t good at faces and I took a face drawing lesson with Jane Davenport and Tamara le port and started getting some confidence in stylised portraits. I went on to create my oracle deck which took a few years to complete as it has 47 images in it. I have diverse again back to drawing and abstract which I also love. I also do illustration for books.
Tell us about your journey to claim the title artist?I think when I was runner up in 2012 “Artisan of the Year” in “Cloth paper scissors” competition I was so excited. That same year I won ribbons/awards at the local show for my fabric framed artworks. I thought hesitantly that maybe I had something but wouldn’t use this title until I created the oracle in 2017.
What is it about making art that stirs your soul?
I think it’s a very deep answer and has many parts but mostly the pleasure and joy I get from creating something that has meaning.
What is currently inspiring you?I’m hooked on using pencil and scratching into painted surfaces, mark making and abstract design currently
What does your creative practice look like?I like to journal and ponder before I create. I play music sometimes and other times none. I like to light incense and doodle and draw an oracle card for the day and that usually leads into mark making and play that is fun and just for me. Then I work on either a commission or my own work depending on what’s happening.
How do you keep your creative practice fresh and alive?
I like to try different things, techniques and explore colours. It’s never ending but if I go right off I take a course or sometimes choose a word or shape and just explore that one thing to see where it goes. I love looking at other artists interviews etc.
What sort of creative walls do you hit?It would always be confidence for me and then working out why that is coming up. So I go back to journaling and figure it out. Usually goes back to something like “you will never make any money being an artist” or ‘You not good enough and then it will also be my own self-doubt.
What do you do to move through them? As above and realising that my art is not everyone’s cup of tea and letting go of trying to please everyone all the time.
How has your process evolved?Very much over the years, I feel I’m not as tight as I was and I feel more relaxed and able to feel freedom as I work which was something I found very hard.
What do you wish you had known at the beginning of your creative journey?To be patient, it take time and it is never ending, it just keeps evolving with you as you grow. I was very impatient and expectation was high.
Do you have a creative self-care practice?Yes, when I start getting uptight about something I either journal or I just say no I’m not doing that I’m going to play. And I just allow myself to play even if it’s just for a while to relax and flow again. Playing is fundamental to the soul.
Do you have any creative rituals?I did mention it above. I like to have incense when I start, open the window of my studio and journal or play before the other creations starts.
Where can we find you?My website, Facebook, or Instagram
