JULY 2011
Ishbel Morag Miller - Artist
Website - http://www.stelladownerfineart.com.au/artists-works.php?artistID=41 http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.138200942625.107623.582777625&l=3e261589c1
1. What inspires your work?
I am inspired by the Australian landscape and many of our urban landscapes. I am inspired by simple domestic objects, their shapes and colour. The way light falls on objects and the shifts and changes in colour, and the intensity of colour.
2. What is your studio/workspace like?
I work indoors at my flat on still-life works and outdoors on site/plein air on urban and other landscape works.
3. Describe a typical day
Often once or more a week I go plein air painting with my friend. Other days I work indoors on still-life works before going to childcare work in the afternoon.
4. What goals are working towards right now?
I would like to create another series of still-life works, of which I have started. I also have been working on a large landscape work, done plein air at the Harold Reid Reserve, Castle Cove, and would like to create other large works and some smaller works from this Reserve.
JULY 2011
Nikki Catalano - Illustrator
Website - www.nikkicatalano.com.au
Blog - www.nikkicatalano.blogspot.com
1. What inspires your work?
This is a big question because I am inspired by so much. My first response would be to say nature. At the moment there are beautiful Autumn leaves falling from the trees with gorgeous warm colours and tones. I also find inspiration from Hayao Miyazake's films like Totoro, Japanese art prints and magazines like Frankie which feature alot of contemporary artists and designers. I also receive emails from various art and design communities and attend creative festivals like Vivid which showcase and discuss ideas and in turn generate inspiration. More recently I have been inspired by illustrators like Charley Harper, whose bright, stylised images of birds and other creatures are just delightful.
2. What is your studio/workspace like?
At the moment a little messy! but creative messy, so that's okay. I share a studio called Locus with 7 other artists ranging from painters to glass artists and other illustrators. We are situated in the heart of Surry Hills which is great because it is such a creative hub. Its a really great energy in there and we often bounce ideas off one another. Its a great little community.
3. Describe a typical day.
More recently I've been getting up earlier and jogging by the bay which is beautiful or going to yoga. This puts me in a good headspace to be creative. Often I have administrative type things like new orders and emails. I also do alot of freelance illustration and graphic design work which could involve logo designs, illustrations for books, websites and branding. I'm also studying illustration at Enmore Tafe so there are always classes and homework to attend to during the week. Occassionally I'm asked to do different things like workshops at the Sydney Children's Hospital Randwick which is very rewarding for all involved. The biggest challenge I find is finding the time to work on new illustrations, I have alot of ideas for new work and have started many new illustrations.... just need to finish them!
4. What goals are working towards right now?
Creating my new body of work is my main goal right now. I have developed a taste for brighter colours and geometric forms. I have also noticed my characters beginning to change ever so slightly. You will see what I mean in the next couple of months as I begin to release them in my store. I will also be creating more 'boyish' illustrations soon. There is certainly a demand for them!
JUNE 2011
Ali J - Artist and Illustrator
Website - http://www.alijart.com
Blog - http://www.blog.alijart.com
1. What inspires your work?
I'm inspired by so many things - photographs, feelings, relationships, dreams and nightmares. I start off with an image for reference and then just draw or paint until something evolves.
2. What is your studio/workspace like?
Terribly cluttered, messy and chaotic. Full of containers, boxes and big cabinets with drawers full to the brim of paper, art supplies and objects I've collected. I can never have enough space and the bigger the space the more I tend to fill it with. I wish it could be tidy, but that isn't how I work.
3. Describe a typical day
We wake at around 7am and get ready for the day. Shower, eat breakfast. I change my daughter out of her pajamas and play with her for a bit. Then I check e-mails and work out what I need to accomplish. I move whatever I'm working on into the dining room. That way I can spend time with my daughter whilst I work. I continue to work until lunchtime. We stop and eat lunch. I have some time out. My daughter goes down for her afternoon nap, and I get straight back into work. She wakes; I work whilst she plays with her toys. I stop again at around 4.30pm to prepare dinner. After dinner I'll often go out to the gym or do some exercise and go to bed around 10.30pm ready for the next day.
4. What goals are you working towards right now?
I'm working on a variety of projects, for clients and personal projects. I'm working on a series of paintings revolving around dreamscapes. I'm finishing off a portrait of three children and a scene of a market. I'm in negotiations for a number of other exciting projects, just awaiting the paperwork to be finalised. I'm in the process of finishing a range of paper dolls, some fabric designs, colouring books and large A3 prints. I'm trying to bring out a new product every month to keep things fresh and to push my creativity out of the box.