I live in Townsville, North Queensland (Australia) with my husband and 2 primary school kids. I have been painting part-time for approximately 2 years as a way to relax and have some self-care. I’ve always been creative but I don’t have formal art training. I learn my art skills from online courses and daily practice. I mostly use acrylic paint for my artwork because I love its quick drying time and durability.
I try to bring feeling into my artwork and capture the ordinary moments. I do this by finding elements that can come to life - it could be a tree branch, a reflection on water, or a figure doing something ordinary. Light and shadow are my favourite things to paint as they give the feeling of ‘stepping into’ the painting. It's like you are there in the scene.
I enjoy experimenting and problem solving in my art. That is what keeps me coming back for another piece of art, over and over again! There is always something to learn from each piece.
I enjoy painting beachscapes, figurative paintings and abstracts the most. I bring them to life with colours that you might not have noticed in real life - have you ever noticed the pinky-purple tinge at the end of a horizon? Well, you will see it in my paintings. Have you ever noticed the tip of waves is not actually white? The sky and landscape reflects each other and it’s full of colour! Colour first - white last! My paintings are always vibrant!
When I have a beautiful reference photo I work through several steps before committing the brush to the canvas. This includes removing filters from the image, determining focal points and composition, sketching out studies, sampling colours to pick up colour and saturation. Finally I will put the brush to the canvas and make a start. From there it could be 2 hours or 20 hours to finish a painting!
My inspiration comes from outdoors as this is where I can capture the light effect and the colours of nature. If there is a shadow about, I am there trying to capture it!
I know pursuing a full time art career is an almost impossible feat. That is why I continue to stay at my day job! At this stage I am happy painting part time and focusing on commissions and entering art competitions to see what I am capable of. Maybe one day if I have enough paintings I could seek out a solo exhibition? Who knows where the future leads.
Yours in art - Stacey.