Who is Alli Ellacott ?
I am a thinker, a mother, an artist, a
partner, a friend , a woman and a strong yet vulnerable human being. My
passion is art and creating, seeing differently and loving every aspect
the world has to offer. I believe in white on white and seeing every
different shade of green there is in a trees foliage. I try to notice
something new in the everyday and appreciate reading and the joys of
information at our fingertips via technology. I love to connect with
people and believe it to be an extremely important part of human nature.
In Six Words Describe Your Practice?
organized chaos
ever-changing
ongoing
escape/refuge
colourful
difficult pleasure
How Long Have You Been Creating and How Did You Get Started?
I have been creating since forever. During primary school I entered
many local shows including the Brisbane Ekka and won many places (
including 1st for a watercolour at the Brisbane Show ), which was great
for my confidence and at that time the prize money was making me rich :) I continued through high school and then joined the Centre of Artistic
Development through Cairns High and moved up north. I won The Ministers
Award in 1999 and continue to study and work although I have not
enetered any kind of show for some years now. I sell and produce art as a
way of life which is unthinkable to stop doing. I don't remember
how I started ..... it really has been something I have done since I
could pick up pencils and I don't remember ever not doodling , painting ,
creating.....
Where Do You Find Inspiration For Your Work?
I find inspiration from so many places, I suppose the number one place
is the big wide world that I've found myself in. The culture and
diversity and simple things around me, other artists and other people (
I'm a huge fan of people watching ) My own ideas and old journals which I
go back to and rehash something from years ago...see it differently or
realise just how I want to communicate an idea I struggled with when it
was just a doodle and some notes.....
Who Are The People That Influence and Inspire You?
Again , so many and from my whole life, and each day I find someone
else who is remarkable and inspirational. Obviously artist in all genres
and different movements throughout the years , especially I have always
had a love for Surrealism, and modern artist , a definite favourite
would be Vernon Ah Khee and Ben Quilty and Jasper Johns and and
and......Really to start naming could be crazy. I also find inspiration
from those who get up despite apparent hardships and really give life a
winning go, pretty hard to not find inspiration there :)
What Has Been The Highlight For You Over The Past Year?
Last year was quite slow artistically, I worked a lot in the good old
real world of bills and earning cold hard cash, but always continue
working on artworks. I joined the Monthly Painters which has been a
really rewarding experience , for the fresh ideas and connections with
some amazing artists, and also the challenge of meeting a deadline -
procrastination tends to dissipate when you have a time limit :) I started my own blog , which I must update more regularly and included
artworks in the Papergirl Project where artworks were handed out around
Brisbane via White Canvas Gallery.
What are Your Experiences being Involved in MPC ?
I have completely enjoyed the whole experience. The different way each
member portrays and interprets a subject is fascinating to me. The
different approach in media and the differences in styles and being
supported by like minded folk is really important. I enjoy having a
subject given , makes you step back out whatever little square you were
in and think about a different subject, which I really love. It really
has been a challenge at times , in a good way, and I feel it really is
helping me to grow and try new things which is vital in creating.
Where To Next ? Whats On The Horizon?
I will continue my own projects and have a few commissions I'm working
on also. I have also enrolled in a Commercial Art course since paying
rent and eating are unavoidable I choose to develop a paid career that I
enjoy doing, while waiting to become as well known as Picasso :)
Connect with Alli:
Lovely art work and great interview. I especially liked how you included the vulnerable in your self description....a trait we often deny, deny, deny!
ReplyDeletethankyou , :) , i'm glad you enjoyed the interview....i guess the arts especially is one where you expose yourself to public , sometimes deliberatley to make a point and sometimes just because its something that happens part and parcel to a visual story / observation :)
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