Artists of Australia
Inspired by the colour and texture of the outdoors -
Inspired by the colour and texture of the outdoors -
Karyn is a local artist living in Mullumbimby in a lovely little oasis near the showground. I have known Karyn for a few years now and we are both part of the Art There Collective that exhibits at the Bangalow market regularly in the Moller Pavilion. Of course, due to the Covid situation, there has been no chance to meet up as often this year - so it was great to catch up with Karyn in her lovely little studio and subtropical garden. I have put some examples of Karyn’s unique work at the bottom of this blog in case you don’t know her work or you can visit her website. Karyn’s work is all about the interaction of light and shadows cast by nature – silhouettes cast by the landscape. She uses a number of beautiful layers of paint to create unusual landscape paintings as well as bird studies and still life paintings. Does your garden influence your work – either in what you create or how it affects you? Yes, in both ways I guess. I spend lots of time from first thing in the morning sitting outside and enjoying my garden. I look at the shadows and birdlife and subject matter for my still life paintings and even for my landscapes - I find the leaves and trees comes into the works later on and, of course, my studio looks out over the garden . I created a whole series based on backyard birds that were all birds that came here to the garden to visit. I sell prints of these at – 'Made in Mullum'. Do you have a favourite corner in your garden? My most favourite corner in the garden is the spot with birdbath and I love watching it with the sun coming through the leaves and shadows that are cast . I am very interested in shadows and outlines with light behind creating patterns and shapes. They are an important part of my works. What is your favourite plant or flower? I love the jacaranda which is stunning when in flower – the one here is a really old tree. I think it must have been planted when house was built in 78. I also really enjoy the frangipani when it flowers and we have a few camellias which the birds love. We have Blue-faced Honey Eaters and Miner birds which feed on the flowers - I do try to photograph them a lot but they are hard to capture. The Magpies come and visit every day too. Do you have a favourite garden? I think it is this one which is small and established – the people who planted it put a lot of thought into it and I love the advanced trees and small manageable lawn. It is a small yard but very private from our neighbours with lots of foliage between us. My parents had a great garden which I loved – we talk about gardens when we call. Both of them are gardeners so we chat about that and books, which we both love. My grandmother was an artist. My mum was creative in the garden and she was also a dressmaker. She told me if things were different, she would have gone into fashion design but it was too hard back then. Mum could make patterns of her own – she would see things she liked and make up the pattern. My Grandmother painted first in oils and then in water colour. She also painted landscapes and birds – and she created some amazing bark paintings back in the 50’s using paper bark tree bark – I have one she did of Blue Wrens. How does the act of ‘making’ relate to your personality and who you are? I have always done something creative from a young age – I just liked to be alone and create with play dough; drawing on a chalk board or chopping up hankies making dolls clothes. It is just something I have always done. I just enjoyed being on my own. I have always read a lot – even before primary school - and the librarian couldn’t believe I actually was reading them that fast. I would climb in the tree house and read books. I can remember lying on the trampoline in the big backyard under the gum trees. I would lie on it watching the patterns on the trampoline around me from the light coming through the tree branches - I think that was the start of my fascination with pattern. I did a series of photos at art college about shadows . I can even remember in primary when I was about 7 doing project on silhouettes and being fascinated by it - so I guess my fascination with light and shadow was there from a very early age. Tell us about your career journey to date – did you always want to be an artist? Yes, I always wanted to be an artist. In my first week in primary school a teacher explained about how an illustrator worked in creating books with the writer and was fascinated as suddenly I had found out you could get a job drawing! I went straight to art college from school. My parents wanted me to be a teacher but I resisted that – but I did do a graphic design course and found a job at first. It is a really good discipline I found. I learned the fundamentals of design from college. Composition is really important to me in design and it is important for my painting. I plan my works out in advance and use my sketch books and photographs – I draw all the bits together and then do a final sketch before I start. Could you talk us through your creative process? – I start with an idea and then start sketching. It usually starts outdoors then I photo and draw, or just sketch, then combine the images – maybe 10 photos to compile into another drawing before I start painting. Then I build up layers – like print making in that way -I usually have about 6 layers. What has been your most crucial tool to grow your creative business? My computer I think. Particularly knowing how to use it to promote my work and document all my work. I guess keeping records and keeping in contact with buyers is also important. I also find that documenting my work is important so I can refer back to it. I also plan in advance – I set goals and write lists and try to stick to it. This year is very hard of course – I try to have an exhibition every year – but last year I had two which is just as well as I have had none this year. I do make sure I work enough to have a body of work for an exhibition. This year I have been painting to please myself - but I think it is good as I have found new colours and direction – I am really satisfied with my recent work. What has been the most challenging lesson learnt since you started painting? Not everyone will like what you do – you just can’t please all the people all of the time. Stick to what you enjoy doing and let it find its market. You have to find your market and not let people get you down who might not like it. There are places my work will be better received than others and I just have to find them. What’s been the best thing that has happened to you since you started painting? It is a buzz if someone whose work I admire says they like my work. At a show of mine in Brisbane a number of years ago - John Coburn saw my show as his gallery was next door. He popped in and told the director that I showed great promise and that felt really good. Do you have any advice you might give your younger self? If it is in your blood you have to do it. What are your top tips for a great garden? Don’t be frightened to remove things and put something else in – we have done that a lot – moved or removed things. Do your homework – find out what is suited to your area – look around in local gardens. I plant what I know will thrive. Do you have any projects coming up you would like to talk about? I am working on a series of still life paintings for a show in the future. I am part of the Open Studio Trail on weekends of 28/29 November and 5/6 December – website info http://www.os-bbb.com/ Flowers are a subject I am working on a lot – from my garden. I might also buy a bouquet and then add in my own flowers – I will photograph it and then paint it. Sacred bamboo and camellia leaves are great additions. There will be a mini exhibition of these still life paintings at the Open Studio Trail.
See more of Karyn's work at http://www.karynfendley.com
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Kay KnightsI am an Australian artist who is crazy about her garden and I'm inspired by the colours and contrasts in my backyard. I truly believe that Gardening is Art - I believe that many Artists are similarly inspired in their gardens. This Blog is for me to go and meet some of them and share their gardens and art. ArchivesNo Archives Categories |