My Style

14.05.2011

So it’s probably about time that I explain a little more about my style of Art and why I work the way I do.

Sorry this is a long one…

Firstly for some reason I am obsessed by paper. I like the smell of it, the texture of it and the crisp whiteness of it (I work predominantly on Ariston). This could be attributed to by my many years of watching The Office and the inspiration that is Michael Scott… but somehow I think not…

Next I have always LOVED the artistry of Textile Design (cloth and wallpapers). I was fortunate enough to do Textile Design and Art for 3 years at High School and it was pure joy. I would sit for hours and hours inking in the negative of the print (we used the old silk-screening method) and I think that’s where the bug for OTT detail first set in (I work a lot with Rotering Ink and Rotering Pens). I remember my uniform was permanently covered in colourful ink and paint, and I was always late for classes due to sneaking off to get some extra time in (i.e. I was a bit…uh.. weird). I’m ashamed to admit that I bunked the odd Guidance/English/Afrikaans/Math/Science (!) class to do so (my poor teachers). So I think this influence shines through a lot in my work (not the bunking, the Art!).

I love colour and unusual combinations of colour as well as black ink. But I’d have to say my favorite is white. I try use a lot of white in my work. I do this by allowing the paper to show through wherever white is needed (where possible) instead of painting with white (*see ‘Just Dandy’ and ‘Yellowtail’ as refs.). I get a kick out of seeing the texture of the paper in the white (guilty pleasures). And of course I love working with silver/gold/copper leaf as it tends to add a real ethereal quality to the work.

Then of course I studied and worked in Fashion/Make-up/Styling for a few years. I’ve been a MAC girl, a Fashion Buyers Assistant, a Stylist and a Head Designer (…a xmas present wrapper a holiday penguin-suit wearer, a film extra, a shop girl and a waitress…:0) so I’ve been through the ringer as far as the creative industry goes. These years definitely helped hone my eye and my approach.

Obviously my passion for Art and Design Theory played its part as well (I call myself an Illustrator because I work with pen and paper).

I’m a Christian (always have been)...

And I suffer from time to time with depression. So my art is real therapy for me.

All of these factors merge together to form the work I’m producing now.

I Hope this helps clarify things for those of you who ask “so what Art do you do?”

xxx

Fish Man

05.08.2011 

I recently did an artwork for my beloved husband Sean, as a birthday present and thank you for being such a loving support, encouragement and joy in my life.

*see ‘Living Jewels’

The subject matter could be none other than Koi fish as Sean absolutely adores them and all manner of fish. I often tease him about his obsession and one of the many unfortunate nicknames I have for him is Fish Man… sorry Love!

Sean also loves fishing and he bred Koi fish as a child so I hope the picture captures the happy memories he has of that time.

I really enjoyed doing this piece as studying the fish further reiterated once again just how beautiful creation is and how the truest artist really is our Creator God.

So… Happy birthday my Fish Man! I love you very much...

xxx

Cosmos Country

24.06.2010 

I’ve just finished an artwork which I really enjoyed, named Cosmos Country…

*it will be in the Botanical category of my Facebook group- I HEART ART, http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/I-Heart-Art/114657411897008?ref=sgm  or on my website gallery.

The reason I enjoyed doing this artwork is that firstly, I love Cosmos flowers and they remind me a lot of my childhood in KwaZulu Natal, Ladysmith.We spent a lot of time playing in the veldt and on friend’s farms there.

And secondly, my Grandfather (Edward Hansen), who was also an artist and a greatly adored figure in my life, painted Cosmos scenes.

I have pictures of him painting them (they were some of his earliest works). He was a self taught Artist who only took up painting on retirement from a successful entrepreneurial career. He was forced into retirement owing to a very weak heart and even had to re-learn to paint left-handed due to losing the fine-mobility of his right hand.

My mother's parents have always been nearby and growing up, seeing him happy and relaxed, painting beautiful local scenery was a great influence on me.

Life in 3D

11.06.2010

Not so long ago my husband and I went to go watch X-Games 3D at the movies. Although I am THE most uninterested person in all sports, I AM a sucker for all movies AND when they throw in the extra cherry on top of 3D, well, I can’t resist!

So the reason I’m bringing up the X-Games 3D movie is that I really was inspired by the two skateboarders Danny Way and Bob Burnquist.

Like many good friends they are complete opposites, however, they complement each other beautifully and are both incredibly talented, brave and at the top of their game.

In my opinion,

Danny‘s true talent is his determination and drive. He embodies the phrase "Never give up”.

Bob‘s claim to fame would be his fluidity as a skater and his ability to make incredibly difficult stunts look like nothing, fun even.

The wisdom I took from the movie and this friendship (although I thought some of the stunts were really not worth the risk of death/maiming!) was this:

Firstly, it is possible to achieve a lot more than we think we can, through a mixture of determination, positive thinking and guts.

Secondly, if life does get in the way (say …we fall off our skateboard while 6 stories midair (!)) that it’s way less painful to go with the fall instead of resisting it when it does come.

And

Lastly, that although it’s great to take things seriously and push yourself as hard as you can, it’s also good to enjoy the time you have while you have it, let go a little… and just have fun.

So, in my attitude to this difficult thing called LIVING, I’m aiming to be somewhere in between these two extreme characters!

Art Update- I’m currently busy with an artwork that has been on my to-do list for a while. It’s a large piece on the beautiful Cosmos fields we have in SA. 

I’ve just completed an interesting commission, which I will tell you about next time…xxx