Meet Alli Ellacott

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:

http://alliellacott.blogspot.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Alli-ellacott/262921863746580

Get all the goss. with...

Meet Cathryn Backer

I first met Cathryn through Facebook back in 2009 {she was one of the first to purchase a painting off me directly from my Facebook page}.   We have been online friends ever since we connected,  it's a true pleasure to know such a giving and supportive artist who inspires and encourages others to create.  When Cathryn expressed interest in joining the  Monthly Painters Challenge {MPC} I was excited that she was coming aboard because it meant I would get an opportunity to see more of her wonderful work, watch her develop new skills and the group would provide an environment to give back some of that encouragement and support that Cathryn willing and freely gives to others. This week Cathryn took the time to speak to me about her art, her world and the experience the MPC has brought to her art practice. Grab a cuppa and a have a read.

Who is Cathryn Backer?

I am a retired Art Teacher (not old to enough to retire officially, but ill health drove me to it) , a Mum and a Grandma, owner of 4 dogs 3 cats, 2 sheep, 3 chooks and 1 duck.

In six words describe your practice.

My Art Practice is mostly undisciplined, but loved with a passion.

How long have you been creating and how did you get started?

I began painting at 8 years old, and continued from there. I remember one of my first paintings was after I heard the phrase 'population explosion' so I painted lots of baby prams, old fashioned carriages, going down a hill. I remember being very pleased with it! I had an Arty family so was encouraged.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Inspiration comes from everywhere and everything. I particularly enjoy perusing other artist's work and soaking up the atmosphere of those works and the artist's approach to difficulties. Nature is so good at inspiring me...nothing better for me than a walk round my place, collecting colourful leaves and feathers, listening to the birds.

Who are the people that influence and inspire you?

Pierre Bonet-artist of light inspires me. Turner, Da Vinci, The Surrealists, Modigliani, Van Gogh, Picasso et al! My husband-so caring and encouraging about my Art Practice. My daughter-she is an artist too. My grand children. Too many people to list here!

What has been the highlight for you over the last year?

The highlight of the last year has been moving back here to our 5 acres. Joining the MPC! That is the best thing that has happened to me and my Art Practice.

What are your experiences with being involved in the MPC?

The MPC has been the wildest thing that has ever happened to me I think! I love the group..all the other members are so inspiring. I love the different topic every month....makes me think outside my comfy, safe Art box! I had been doing the same sort of work for years...only what would sell. I had fallen into the money trap. But not now. Now I paint what I like, what inspires me. It's so freeing. All thanks to the MPC!

Where to next? What's on the Horizon?

In the future I would like to continue trying different mediums, experimenting with them, seeing what works. I want to build a Studio specifically for my Art, not one where I have to share with a Harley! I majored in printmaking at Uni in Darwin so I would like to get back into that. Lots and lots of happy ideas.

Connect with Cathryn
http://muddymama.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/Muddy-Mama-Shed-Productions-Cathryn-Backer

Meet Jaz Higgins

I first met Jaz online, through Twitter and Facebook. I'm not sure when or how, or even who connected with who first or on which platform, it seems like eons ago. At the start of this year, we discovered that we both live in the same area, and organised to have a coffee and a chat. It was like catching up with an old friend, we openly talked about art, family and life like we had met before. We've had coffee several times since and it's always lovely to talk to Jaz, she is so dedicated and focused on her art business, I admire the way she juggles 'domestic bliss', family life and her painting career, she is an inspiration.  Her work is amazing and the love that goes into each piece shines through.  This week Jaz took the time to share a little about her self, her art and her experience in being a MPC artist.

Who is Jaz Higgins?

I am 27 years old and I live in Brisbane, Australia. First and foremost, I'm a Wife to a loving husband and a Mummy to a beautiful 3 year old daughter. I'm a full-time artist, and a lot of my day is spent around creating art while also juggling family life!

In six words describe your practice.

Whimsical, fantastical, feminine, colourful, surreal, determined.

How long have you been creating and how did you get started?

I've been creating for as long as I can remember. As a child I was always interested in art - painting, colouring, anything to do with colours. I started painting professionally (as in selling my work) about 5 years ago, when I realised I actually want to BE an artist full time, and that with hard work it might actually be possible. It's something I can't stop thinking about, and I love being my own boss. I feel really lucky to be able to be able to paint every day.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

I try to keep my eyes 'open' to beautiful things that are around every day. It's easy to walk past a flower growing through a crack on the footpath or a weird looking beetle - but if you really open your eyes and think creatively you can find inspiration everywhere. I also love trawling through other people's blogs - seeing how other Work at Home Mums are doing it, and other artists. I also get inspiration from magazines, books (especially vintage ones with beautiful illustrations!), dreams, nursery rhymes, museums, art galleries, podcasts, visiting art stores, markets and trash and treasure.

Who are the people that influence and inspire you?

I instantly fell in love with pop surrealism through Mark Ryden's work. There was just something so interesting about the way he juxtapozes innocent, childlike creatures with sinister, darker elements and symbolism in his paintings. I've also always had an interest in fantasy art. Not so much the dragonny, sword fighting kind - but fairies, feminine goddesses and mermaids have always sparked my imagination. 

As a child I was entranced by Enid Blyton stories and Shirley Barber's fairy paintings (the detail and colours in her works are incredible!). Today, there's a myriad of different artists that inspire me from masters like Salvador Dali to modern day artists like Marion Peck - if I were to list them all I would be here forever. With the Internet, I find new influences nearly on a daily basis!

What has been the highlight for you over the last year?

I've had quite an increase in commissioned work over the past year, which I love, because each one is a co-opperative effort - you're taking someone's ideas and making them a reality. When it turns out just how they imagined (or better!), then it's very satisfying.

What are your experiences with being involved in the MPC?

The Monthly Painters Challenge gives me a deadline to work towards each month, which is great because it forces me to be organised, but it can also be challenging! It's exciting to get a new 'theme' every month, and it makes me create things that I otherwise wouldn't have. The group of artists are all really supportive of one another, and in a workplace where most days I work alone, it's nice to be part of a team.

Where to next? What's on the Horizon?

I'm starting to stock my art in some more stores around the place, which is exciting. I'm also creating more merchandise to go with my original paintings and prints - things like postcards and possibly jewellery. I'd also like to create a stall for markets and expos.

Connect with Jaz:

http://www.artbyjaz.com

http://artbyjaz.blogspot.com

http://www.etsy.com/shop/artbyjaz

http://www.facebook.com/ArtByJaz

http://stores.ebay.com.au/Jazs-Art-Gallery
http://twitter.com/artbyjaz

Meet Sarah Wiske

I first met Sarah Wiske back in 2009 on Facebook.  I'm not sure how it all happened, whether I befriended her or the other way around, all I can remember is admiring her work and exchanging messages with her about painting techniques. Recently we even had a skype chat together, that was so wonderful.  I follow Sarah's art on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and love watching her work progress! This week Sarah took the time to have a chat with me about her art, life and universe!

Who is Sarah Wiske?  

I’m a lover, a wife, a friend, bursting with the need to create and help others. I am a 27 year old Artist. I am a very happy person.  My passion lies in creating original pieces. I am a very passionate person. I grew up in a small town called White Pine, TN in the States. I have three brothers.  

In six words describe your practice.

Bright, colorful, bold, feminine, inspiring, spiritual

How long have you been creating and how did you get started?

I have created art all my life. My parents said at two years old, I wouldn’t put down my red crayon and I was constantly drawing. They said I wanted to color for hours. At five years old I told everyone that I wanted to be an Artist when I grew up. I even dressed up in my plastic preschool vest and held paintbrushes in White Pine School’s Kindergarten parade! My Grandmother worked at a nursing home and a woman there named Sarah Watson inspired me to be an artist. She was a fabulous woman, gushing with talent and full of laughter.  I like to think she was the glue that bound me to art.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?  

Inspiration is lurking everywhere in my world.  I am inspired by life. The only question is can I get a pen soon enough to write it all down before it flees??  I am truly inspired by God, the clouds and all the bright designs they make when the sun clings to it, bright flowers, my Artist friends, my husband, and my family and friends. I also love high fashion magazines to look for their color and composition but most of my inspiration is found in nature. 

Who are the people that influence and inspire you? 

God, my parents, my husband, my best friend Christi and pretty much all my close friends!!

Artists: Salvador Dali, Picasso, Tracey Potter, Bec Winnel, Charmaine Olivia, and Danny Roberts

What has been the highlight for you over the last year?

The highlight for me was when I was asked to participate in a few international art shows. What a thrill to know that my works would be hung for people thousands of miles away to see in person!

What are your experiences with being involved in the MPC?

MPC for me has been a fabulous experience. I am honored to be included with so many amazingly talented Artists. I am so lucky to be included to because I live in the USA. I love watching every 15th to see all the great pieces made from one word. It has widened my perspective on creating. Every painting I have done for this challenge so far has been completely different.  I love the support everyone gives each other too.

Where to next? What's on the Horizon?

Sky is the limit. I am hoping to show in some galleries soon. A fabulous salon my friend is opening is showing my art very soon.  I am looking forward toward many more artistic endeavors.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Sarah, You are so lovely, positive, encouraging and inspirational!


  
Come Visit me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tracey.potter.artist

Meet Tracey Fletcher King

I first met Tracey Fletcher King through my local art shop (I think it was back in 2010, but it seems like we have known each other for so much longer).  I had left a few business cards on the counter one morning while I was in picking up some brushes, my business cards took Tracey's fancy, she took one home with her then looked me up on Facebook that afternoon and we have been chatting online and off ever since. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of having a cuppa (or two) with Tracey and a home and studio visit too!  This week Tracey took the time to answer a few questions about herself and snapped some photos of herself and her artwork.

 

Who is Tracey Fletcher King?

I am a former specialist art teacher and have taught art on and off over the last 25 years -I can’t be that old!!!- to all ages from 4 year olds through to retirees. I am a wife to Matthew and a mother to an amazing 15year old daughter Phoebe. I have wonderful supportive friends and family and love that life is filling up more and more with creative pursuits.

In six words describe your practice. 

Botanical, collage, personal, detailed, colourful, schizophrenic.

How long have you been creating and how did you get started?

I have always loved art in every form and can’t remember when it wasn’t part of what I loved, but found that there was little room for it for many years while we were travelling and living between two countries with a young daughter. On moving back to Australia full time I started to explore painting and collage and fell in love with it all over again. I went back to uni and did my Masters in Art Ed and the creative components and some wonderful teachers really inspired me to look at my practice and try to explore realistic depiction and return to rendering which led me to botanical art.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

Inspiration for botanical art is easy as there are so many wonderful fruits and vegies out there, and flowers are just wonderful subjects. I cruise the fruit and veg section of the supermarket, and garden centres, florists and farmer’s markets give constant inspiration. I am also lucky enough to have a husband who brings home flowers regularly so botanical inspiration is easy. As I return more and more to collage and mixed media work I am finding inspiration in beautiful papers and bits of map and ephemera which I have been saving for years. I have two huge draws of bits and bobs of paper that I can find inspiration in at any time.

Who are the people that influence and inspire you? 

I am influenced by other members of The Botanical Artists’ Society of Qld and they constantly offer support and valuable guidance, and I also love the work of many contemporary botanical artists. Do a google search and you will be bombarded with amazing images and work. I also love the work of Robert Rauschenberg for mixed media and find his imagery and techniques a rich source of ideas. I love love love Cressida Campbell and her intricate woodcuts, especially the domestic scenes. I enjoyed sharing the book with Tracey the other day at morning tea. I can’t believe anyone wouldn’t be inspired by her work. Years ago I taught with a Bayside artist, Jack Oudyn, and his work has always inspired me and I love that we have so many of his pieces around the house. They never fail to inspire me.

What has been the highlight for you over the last year?

Three things stand out for me in the past and the first has been starting a blog, which has been a great way to reflect and discuss my work. It is evolving and changing as my work evolves and changes, but it has been a great tool to explore ideas and give my practice a bit of structure. I have also loved being part of The Collective Store at Wynnum. The owner Leonie has been so supportive and encouraging and my confidence and belief in my work has grown hugely. I love that people have been buying my work and are hopefully enjoying it as much as I enjoy creating it. I have also taken part in a couple of exhibitions with the Botanical Art Society and it is great to see your work hanging in galleries such as Redlands and Redcliffe Galleries. These things have challenged me and forced me out of my comfort zone, but I have loved them and am so glad I have done them.

What are your experiences with being involved in the MPC?

The MPC for me has been a great experience. I love the sense of camaraderie and being part of something that has a regular deadline. It is also a great way to make yourself try new things and it is really exciting watching the works go up one by one on the 15^th of the month. It has been a much richer experience than I expected and I feel as though the group is starting to develop surprisingly strong bonds. I feel quite attached to my cyber buddies and I love that the internet is such a great resource for artists and it helps them connect with like minded people. I have found wonderful friends like Tracey, and painter Von Kennedy through the internet, and both friendships enrich my world.

Two new collages recently finished. 

Where to next? What's on the Horizon?

The horizon is filled with more MPC challenges, exhibiting more with BASQ, developing the blog, maybe starting to sell some work online, and continuing to create work for The Collective Store. I am enjoying using my work to make jewellery and exploring other products and ideas but more than anything I am just loving every creative minute I can cram into my world!!

 

 Thanks for taking the time to chat and take photos Trace. I really enjoyed that chat, so enlightening. You are a true inspiration.

  Come Visit me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tracey.potter.artist

Meet Alice Jones!

I came across Alice Jones from Niceties when she did a sweet blog post about my artwork and how I had inspired her to pick up a paintbrush again, that was back in March (it seems like we have known each other longer than that!). Ever since I have been a regular follower, reading her blog, tweets and visiting her on Facebook almost daily. Alice is a lovely and talented girl who creates in her spare time. She dreams of making a name for herself in the future, but for now is content on developing her skills and refining her style without any pressure. Recently when I started the Monthly Painters Challenge (MPC) I knew I had to have Alice in the group and was so thrilled when she said YES! This week Alice took the time to chat with me about herself, her practice and the MPC.

Who is Alice Jones?
I'm a 22 year old media geek located in Wellington, New Zealand, but
living vicariously through the internet. When I'm not working or
sleeping, I'm often researching, planning, or creating a new work of
art.

In six words describe your practice.
Hobby, experimental, gestural, feminine, animate, varied.

How long have you been creating and how did you get started?
I've been drawing and painting my whole life, on and off. When I got
old enough for art became an option subject at intermediate school,
there was just no way I wasn't going to choose it. Art's been 'my
thing' as far back as I can remember, though aside from school
requirements I didn't really get serious about it in my spare time
until I moved into an apartment on my own in 2009, and then
participated in a group exhibition.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?
I spend a lot of time browsing the internet, and follow countless art
and fashion blogs. I don't know whether my subject matter is terribly
'inspired' at present, but I definitely take a lot of technical
inspiration from the blogs I follow, and I love looking at high
resolution images of paintings. During the summer I love browsing art
galleries around the city, though I'm usually a bit to lazy for that
during the winter! I love getting in close to a painting- seeing tiny
imperfections in other people's work always makes me feel a lot less
concerned about my own mistakes. My biggest inspiration just comes
from seeing what other young artists around the world are working on.
I also love fashion models and photography- no matter what medium I'm
working in or subject I'm working on, for some reason studying
beautiful photography keeps me motivated.

Who are the people that influence and inspire you?
My favourite artists are Egon Schiele and Christopher Reiger. I think
I'm still influenced by 'contemporary' artists I studied at high
school, such as Robert Rauschenberg and especially Sigmar Polke. I'm
inspired by many young artists I've come into contact with online-
several I've interviewed on my blog, and I have more of those coming
up. I'm inspired (and awestruck) by artists who create new pieces
daily- staying motivated is my biggest challenge when it comes to art! 

What has been the highlight for you over the last year?
I'm just really proud of myself for actually putting my work out for
the world to see in this past year- blogging regularly, setting up a
Facebook page, and making my first ever sales (five sales, two
commissions!) I feel like I spent too long creating pieces which I
only either kept hidden away, or gave away as gifts- I haven't had an
art-related job, and selling my work was just a 'someday...' dream.
It's been fantastic to stop that silly attitude, and just start doing
it.

 

What are your experiences with being involved in the MPC? 

I was extremely honoured to be invited into this group by Tracey, and thoroughly enjoyed working to complete my submission for the first challenge. I did find it a little daunting, as I had no idea what everyone else was working on, and how my piece would compare. We are all currently working on our second pieces, and I'm feeling a lot more relaxed about it now that I know everyone else's direction for the 'light' challenge, and no longer concerned about pushing a challenge topic in my own direction. Moving forward I'm excited about continuing to improve my technical skills when working on canvas (not a challenge requirement, but something I'm keen to practice), and attempting to be more creative in my interpretation of each topic.

Where to next? What's on the Horizon?
Number one priority is to keep doing my Monthly Painters Challenge
submissions, because even one painting a month is more than what I had
been doing! But I really hope to add to that by spending even more
time creating, and eventually feeling prepared and confident enough to
exhibit alone!

I enjoyed that chat, it was so enlightening, Alice you are inspiring! 

Come Visit me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tracey.potter.artist