“I wear many hats, banking by day and artist by night! My art career was more of a hobby to begin with – a creative outlet to throw some colours around for a bit of fun,” says Xander Holliday who first picked up the brushes four years ago and is the newest addition to the esteemed Greenhouse Interiors artist stable.
‘Eclipse’ by Xander Holliday
While Xander now works in banking, he previously worked in retail where he sold homewares and art, an experience that was the catalyst for giving an art career a go. “I literally had an ‘I could do that’ moment and then I did!” says Xander who lives in the Hunter Valley with his partner Shaun and works out of a home studio alongside his precious pair of mini dachshunds Gus and Abe.
‘Ancient vase’ features a unique violet painted frame
And what makes Xander’s story even more interesting is that he is a self-confessed art school dropout. “I studied art after leaving school but struggled to see where it was heading,” says Xander who studied fashion design and worked as a hairdresser before coming full circle back to art. He credits social media with furthering his art career by unlocking many fabulous opportunities that allowed him to build a stockist base and online store.
Before picking up a brush Xander began working digitally after teaching himself Adobe Photoshop and creating designs and illustrations with a stylus and iPad. “It was an easy way to manipulate shapes and play with colours,” says Xander who based a lot of his early paintings on illustrations that he had created digitally – an approach that has had a strong impact on his aesthetic.
“Having a studio at home allows me to find pockets of time whenever possible,” says Xander.
Colour filled, bold, graphic, and fun, Xander’s work is a celebration of colour but he’s mindful to ensure that it’s accessible too. “I want people to be able to see my work hanging above their couch,” says Xander who was rather chuffed when interior stylist Jono Fleming decided to do that very thing after purchasing a piece with a cobalt blue frame recently.
“That piece that was feeling unresolved, so I painted the frame cobalt blue to extend the work beyond the canvas. The piece now hangs in Jono Fleming’s living room which was enough validation for me to keep going!”
Xander Holliday
Photography by Armelle Habib | Styling by Julia Green and Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Linda Hutchinson and Jillian Nielsen
Painting from a light-filled studio in the Waitakere ranges outside of Auckland, Jen Sievers is a New Zealand artist on a self-described mission to ‘paint joy.’ “I infuse my work…
Painting from a light-filled studio in the Waitakere ranges outside of Auckland, Jen Sievers is a New Zealand artist on a self-described mission to ‘paint joy.’ “I infuse my work with the joy I feel while I paint it and aim to make that viscerally experienced by the people who hang my work in their homes. If you’re not smiling when you’re looking at them, they’re not doing their job,” says Jen.
The artist Jen Sievers perfectly complements her work
After growing up in South Africa, Jen had a stint doing a fine art degree before attending a specialist school for advertising and design where she completed a three-year degree. This led to a 15-year career as a graphic designer and art director which formed the basis for her eventual art practice. “I honestly believe that my work as a designer was my best training – it taught me colour and composition, and I learned about the creative process,” she says.
Jen works with acrylics on canvas, thinning them out to create vibrant watercolours, and applying more impasto style layers on top. Her eye-catching style is largely abstract, and is often executed on large canvasses.
Jen with one of her beautiful works
But it was after becoming a mother that Jen was eventually lured back to the easel and brush. While her toddler was napping, she grabbed a paintbrush, her child’s craft paints and a piece of ply from the garage. “By the end of that two-hour session, I knew I’d found my purpose was to paint,” says Jen who also explains that a breast cancer diagnosis in 2019 really cemented her decision to give up a full-time graphic design career for a painting one.
“Luckily, it was curable with minor surgery and radiotherapy, but my diagnosis offered me an unexpected gift. It gave me perspective and ‘permission’ to finally quit my day job to become a full-time artist,” says Jen who threw herself into the practice spending evenings and weekends experimenting with colour and painting everything from abstracts to portraits, landscapes and anything else she could imagine.
‘Phoebe’ is one of Jen’s latest works
And while Jen has made a name for herself in New Zealand, her career has taken off in Australia since becoming a Greenhouse Interiors stablemate in 2018 – her use of colour making her a perfect fit for the brand. “My colours are contemporary and playful, and often have a peaceful, calming feel to them. I love using bold sweeping lines and plenty of textures and layers,” says Jen who has branched out recently and released a series of works of house plants.
Jen in her studio
“I’m surrounded by native bush in my home studio, and the studio itself is filled with house plants. I love thinking of each of them as having their own personality and distinct vibe, so I captured this idea in my work. The result is a fresh, colourful ode to the humble house plant all wrapped up in my signature feeling – joy.”
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Greenhouse Interiors‘ autumn/winter ’21 art collection campaign landed this week and boy is it a beauty. Brimming with the brand’s trademark colour, the meticulously styled imagery not only celebrates the artist stable’s latest output, but it provides plenty of interiors inspo too. “Our vibe is always colourful, regardless of the season. Our artists all have their own distinct style, but the common thread is always a celebration of colour despite the varying compositions,” says Greenhouse Interiors’ Julia Green.
Greenhouse Interiors newcomer Amanda Ketterer’s gorgeous work can be seen on the left.
And while longtime Greenhouse Interiors artists are featured (think Georgie Wilson, Kate Mayes and Anna Cole), there are plenty of talented new artists represented too. “We have a swag of new clever creatives. Deborah Moss resides over the ditch in New Zealand and is inspired by her natural surroundings, especially trees! Lucy Cashmore is a new Melbourne artist, who painstakingly spends hours and hours creating graphic bold colourful works that are then framed in coloured perspex to great effect,” says Julia.
This gorgeous perspex framed artwork is by newcomer Lucy Cashmore
One of newcomer Deborah Moss’ moody, abstract pieces
Recently joined Amanda Ketterer produces fluid-like abstract compositions while newbie Rishelle Kent’s magical paintings of the countryside sell before Julia has a chance to even promote them. “Madeline Jovicic’s style is playful and whimsical with references to food street carts, sardines and gelato stands amongst other fun subject matter!” says Julia.
Brittany Ferns’ mermaids are featured on the left while Madeline Jovicic’s works (right) will transport you to Italy
Other recent recruits include Nadia Dusselberg who paints joyful childlike subject matter in a sophisticated way, while Tegan Frank’s aerial beach scapes really evoke the Australian summer. “Her works already have a long wait list and have been super popular,” says Julia.
It’s easy to see why the works of Tegan Franks are super popular
And as always, the styling takes centre stage; an approach that Julia believes is key to helping clients visualise how artwork translates inside real homes. “Visualisation is not an easy thing for some, so seeing the work in context can be really helpful. We would like to think the imagery is aspirational but achievable,” says Julia who creates two styled art campaigns every year.
Anna Cole’s ‘Green Pastures’ is a striking, graphic piece
And for those looking to add to an existing collection, or start from scratch, Julia cites several artists who create pieces at affordable price points but says that Britt Ferns is a current favourite. “You cannot go past Britt Ferns if starting out or wanting to add a textured, considered work to a gallery wall.”
‘Lovers Loop’ by Laura Horrocks Lovers Loop by artist Laura Horrocks is a soft pink hued abstract
But if large and eye-catching is more your jam, the works of Georgie Wilson, Kate Pittas, Jen Sievers, Lou Martin, Kate Mayes, Morgan Jamieson and Katie Wyatt pack a fabulous visual punch. “Their works make for beautiful statement pieces for a home. Despite their differences, they all are eye catching, and all of these artists are very comfortable and accomplished at painting in large scale to great effect.”
Morgan Jamieson’s ‘Look up and see the palm trees’ is a gorgeous statement piece
Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Julia Green for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Aisha Chaudhry, Kate Moss and Jessica Retallack
Artist Jasmine Mansbridge pours raw and real story into beautiful new work
Jasmine Mansbridge‘s latest stunning exhibition, Painting A Perfect World, is an optimistic one, but it came from a place of deep contemplation. In this frank interview, the artist reveals how…
Jasmine Mansbridge‘s latest stunning exhibition, Painting A Perfect World, is an optimistic one, but it came from a place of deep contemplation. In this frank interview, the artist reveals how the ups and downs of last few years, as well as global events, shaped the work.
“Instead of what is wrong with the world, I wanted to focus on what an ideal world would look like,” she says of the exhibition opening in Geelong VIC, this week. “I wanted to touch on various subjects and quietly pose a question about them, leaving room for contemplation and reflection. I wanted to paint pieces that were hopeful, poignant and warm.”
The last time we interviewed Jasmine in 2019, she’d just had her 40th birthday and things were tracking the way she’d planned, work wise and in her personal life. “I have five kids aged 24 to six and was dividing my time the best I could between work and home commitments,” she said. “I was travelling and painting a lot and did a number of big international trips that year as I had in the years before. I was working really hard, but in hindsight I was also exhausted, burnt out and running on adrenaline.”
Then came 2020 and coronavirus. “Like everyone, I was forced to cancel many things, slow down and take stock of my life. Aside from the impact on my ability to work, I had many other personal challenges thrown at me that year. I felt like they just kept coming.
“We also had all the global, social and political things going on, with environmental, gender and racial inequality issues coming to the forefront. It felt for me like everything was up for negotiation, both in my personal life and life in general.”
Jasmine says this fed into this latest body of work. “It sounds cliche, but I was forced to look closely at myself. To dig deep and ask hard questions about what kind of world I wanted to live in and what kind of person I wanted to be. To look past circumstances and imagine the world as it could be. To do better and be better in the future.
“So, I started looking after myself for the first time in my adult life, prioritising sleep and self care, meditating, doing yoga and slowing down what had previously been my very busy mind.” She gave up caffeine and limited alcohol to when she was with friends. “The result of all this is I have learnt to be happy, just because. To choose to be happy regardless of circumstances. To accept life as it is and be in the present far more than I ever was before. This has all filtered into my painting and I have found I am able to be in flow with it far more easily than ever before.”
Jasmine wanted to create paintings for this exhibition that were aesthetically beautiful, transportive and dreamy; paintings that bring joy to their surroundings and capture all that is good and hopeful in the world.
“I have alternated between scale with these works, using both a micro and macro focus, zooming out on the details in some of the paintings and coming in close for others. For example, I have taken a bird’s eye view in the piece Painting a Perfect World. This is a utopian, surreal painting filled with the symbolism I love to tell stories with. It features a Thought Catcher and Three Point Portals and also a new one for me, the circles or Air Balls, these being symbolic of change and the need for acceptance of uncertainty.
Painting a Perfect World
“In contrast, I have gone in close on paintings such as Everything Falls into Place and Connect the Dots. These more abstract paintings were a way for me to deal with the more complex aspects of my personal life, while also being open ended and relating to the many aspects of our shared human experience.
Connect the Dots
“I have also covered wider subject matter, the piece Open The Gates being in response to a recent Gorilla Girls interview in which I was struck by the the statistics surrounding the continued under representation of female and ethnically diverse artists in institutions worldwide. And then The Golden Shower was my response to a Tracey Emin interview and her thoughts on female sexuality. So, the Painting the Perfect World exhibition was always about the bigger picture as well, not just limited to my personal life.”
Open the Gates
The Golden Shower
The paintings vary in size, from over two metre works on linen down to pieces on A3 arches paper. In addition to the paintings, the exhibition will also feature several installations and a digital artwork, making it an immersive experience.
Looking at her bright, mid-century inspired style, it seems that childhood trips to Palm Springs have made quite the impression on Melbourne-based artist and stylist Kate Jansen. “I would accompany my father to the US on business trips and was lucky enough to visit Palm Springs each time we went. It was then that my obsession began!” says Kate who grey up in the south of England but emigrated to Australia seven years ago with her Aussie husband. She now lives in a gorgeous Mornington Peninsula home that is a fabulous complement to her art; and today we’re lucky enough to take a tour.
Kitchen: Kate stencilled the floor using Royal Stencils and Annie Sloan chalk paint in ‘Antoinette.’
Bedroom: Kate’s artworks are featured throughout the home
Built in 1971, the home was a typical red brick number but that changed when Kate, Deon and their children Jazmin and Jake arrived! “When we moved in, I painted the whole house white, including the floorboards and the brickwork outside,” says Kate who also retiled the three bathrooms and kitchen and changed the window dressings and carpet before injecting her own colourful aesthetic.
Bathroom
One of Kate’s artworks in the home’s alfresco area
“What sold this house to me was the high-pitched timber ceiling in the main living area – it’s definitely a talking point as you walk through the bright yellow front door! I also had two very large paper lantern pendant lights installed,” says Kate. The garden was transformed too with the installation of artificial grass, an outdoor shower and a plethora of palms and large tropical leaf plants.
Living room
The lounge room features plenty of nods to Kate’s English heritage
With a graphic artistic style, it’s no surprise to hear that Kate originally trained as an illustrator before working in London for many years; the city where she has spent most of her life. Kate works with acrylic paint and her pieces typically include swimming pools, patio furniture and palm trees; all designed to create a holiday vibe.
Bedroom
“It’s fun, bold and colourful with a Palm Springs meets Miami feel and an Aussie sort of a twist. I use lots of pinks and always palm trees as I have an obsession with them! I get inspiration from all around – I live near the beach and I see the ocean every day too.”
Kate painted these stair risers with Annie Sloan chalk paint
Bedroom
Kate works from home inside a pink studio that was once the home’s garage before she had the roller door replaced with a window and French doors installed. Of her art, how does she view her current success? “I have held a paintbrush for as long as I can remember and I love to hear that my art makes people happy!”
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Regular trips to my local markets have been one of the things I’ve missed the most during the pandemic. Thankfully, the famous Finders Keepers Markets are offering the opportunity to experience everything we love about markets from the comfort and safety of our own homes. The online event starts today (4 March) and continues until Sunday.
Elph Ceramics homewares
Unable to hold the markets in person throughout 2020, the Finders Keepers have drawn in tens of thousands of shoppers through their online marketplace. They have now added this dedicated market weekend to their calendar.
Breezy Bird Studio artwork
The Finders Keepers have filled their virtual aisles with your favourite brands, labels and businesses for you to peruse. Take advantage of the exclusive artist discounts and offers over the next four days.
More Than Ever textiles
After the unprecedented difficulty of last year, events like this are vital to not only get Australia’s vibrant create community back on their feet, but to allow them to thrive.
Turner + Turner timber homewares
If you’re aching to give your homewares a much needed refresh, The Finders Keepers will certainly have pieces to catch your eye. Visit the online marketplace from today until Sunday and take advantage of their event exclusive offers. Of course, you’ll also find fashion, accessories, gifts and more too!
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“My year eight art teacher told me I had ‘a creative license’ after I got full marks for an art project by executing the piece in the opposite way to how she had instructed. I’m an art brat, I’m going to do it my way and I’m not going to listen to anyone!” says Sydney interior designer Anna Price who has recently made a very successful career pivot to full-time painting.
Artist Anna Price with a recent work. Image: Chloe Lambert
While originally trained as an interior designer, with a degree from UTS, Anna had been working in modular construction for her business Container Kit since 2005 until COVID hit and all her design jobs got pulled. “I would call the painting a career pivot as I still use my design skills when I plan artworks – their colours, scale and locations,” says Anna who, remarkably, only picked up the brushes for the first time in 2018 after renovating and looking for some affordable artwork solutions.
“We were short of cash and while I’d always been an illustrator, I’d never painted.” She bought a large canvas and painted it for her living room. That work ended up being donated to her local kindy fundraiser. “Much to my surprise it sold for $800 which encouraged me to do more and as I did, friends and friends of friends started asking for pieces for their own homes,” says Anna who is entirely self-taught and works out of a studio in Chatswood.
Favouring abstract expressionist and cubist styles, Anna moves between the two depending on her mood and self-confessed short attention span. “When I’m a bit over the expressive abstracts, I start a cubist style painting but with the perfect rigid lines I get over that pretty quickly and start throwing paint all over another canvas, expressive style!” She also draws inspiration from her luscious backyard, scenery at her parents’ rural NSW property and urban graffiti. “The latter influence comes across more in my drippy pieces,” says Anna.
Rather surprisingly, given her beautiful use of colour, Anna struggles with this aspect of painting. “I find that good colour palettes don’t come naturally to me, and I firmly believe a cohesive palette is 90 percent of what makes a painting beautiful, so it’s something I’m working hard on nailing,” says Anna who finds it hard to control herself when selecting from all the colours of the rainbow. “My problem is when I see all the paint pots, I want to use all the colours so finding restraint is something that I’m trying to practice. This is where some art education would probably come in handy.”
Incredibly, Anna manages to work on her art while raising four children, using a combination of daycare, kindy, school, grandparents and working as a team with her husband. With four kids arriving in four years (including a set of twins), Anna finds refuge in her art.
“I separate my work hours from my family hours so I can focus on each component properly. My household is pretty full-on so needless to say my work days are an absolute treat and they go way too fast.”
Photographic art online: Where to buy & how to choose
Established in Sydney in 2013, blinq.art sells some of the world’s finest photographic art prints and after more than five years at Westfield Bondi Junction, the business has relocated its…
I don’t know about you but with the school holidays over, I’m super keen to declutter my kids’ rooms and give them a mini-makeover. Beyond the sorting and storage battles, I think a couple of cute new interiors buys could be just the refresh that the rooms need. And there’s nothing that makes a greater impact, per dollar spent, than some fabulous new wall art.
Alphaberts: From the font to the colour palette, we love the nostalgic feel of these gorgeous alphabet prints. Perfect for adding a big splash of colour, you can choose from a couple of purchasing options – either download a file to print yourself or at a printer, or choose to have a hard copy delivered (framed or unframed). From $34.90.
Violet Eyes: The work of artist, commercial illustrator and textile designer Ainslie Fletcher, we’ve been fans of this brand since its inception. From pretty girls’ faces to floral designs, it’s the go-to spot for a whimsical wall art find. From $99.
Violet Eyes creates removable wall decals too
Blond + Noir: While this brand’s range spans rainbows, butterflies and geometric shapes, it’s the Australian animal series that takes our fancy. The brand does a brilliant range of removable wall decals too. From $25.
The ‘Coco’ and ‘Klim’ Australian art prints are seen here styled with the brand’s removable wall decals
V. Happy Co: With their use of bright primary colours and fun, retro designs, this new kids’ ‘alphapic’ brand is destined for success. There’s a gorgeous full alphabet poster plus single letter designs and for those after a custom creation, you can order a bespoke name print too. From $90.
Desenio: The perfect site from which to purchase a complete gallery wall set, this brand takes the second guessing and rumination out of the equation. There’s plenty of stylish options for babies, toddlers, tweens and beyond. From $24.95 per print. Sets sold individually.
The ‘Playful Moments’ gallery wall set includes nine complementary prints. $297.55
‘Lovely Sleep’ gallery wall, $174.70
Alphapop: With a fascination and love for typography and language, this lovely retro styled print range was created by Michael Wholley and Helen Frank. “As parents of a toddler we love to produce unique prints that educate and delight young minds,” says Helen. From $45.
The ‘Alphabet Pop’ print
The ‘Times Table’ print is one for the older kids
The ‘Blocks’ print
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As online shopping continues to grow and grow, it’s no surprise that our online habits extend to interior design, styling and art purchases. Art gives the final layer of detail and personality to our home, it can inspire our interior design choices and above all is a personal decision.
Photo by Sheri McMahon | interior design + styling by MARG. Studio | Art by Erin Morgan
Without first seeing the works in person, art can seem like a daunting online purchase however the bonus of being able to buy online is that more and more artists are selling their work this way, giving us access to things that may not have reached us beforehand.
It can feel very exciting to have the ability to buy art while sitting on the couch in our PJs but there are also a few things that I think need to be considered when making an investment into art online.
What do you like?
Before launching in and hitting purchase I recommend spending time understanding what it is you actually like. The best place to start is at larger institutions and galleries that display already recognised pieces in their collections, like Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) or the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). By determining what it is you like (or don’t like) about a work, you are gradually refining what kinds of work you may like to hang in your own home. Note that there are often some artworks you might like but you wouldn’t necessarily hang in your home. There’s nothing wrong with that!
Photo by Sheri McMahon | interior design + styling by MARG. Studio | artwork by Katie Wyatt via Greenhouse Interiors
What to look for
There are countless online platforms to buy art online so make sure you are understanding where the works will be coming from and if the seller is reputable. Find art that resonates with you whether it be the subject matter, aesthetics, colour or the artist’s story. The more of a connection you feel to the work, I guarantee the longer you will have it. As you collect timeless pieces of art you will add depth and character to your interiors and create a story over time that is unique to you.
Where to look
The main sources of buying art online are online art fairs, commercial galleries, some interior suppliers and directly from the artist via their website or social media. Again my advice is to start with some of the bigger, more established platforms (as you did with the national galleries) to get the lay of the land.
As you are not seeing these works in person, make sure you get a tape measure out and check the size of the work in your home. If you are struggling to visualise it you can also stick paper together to the size of the work and hang it on the wall (with the centre at eye level) to see how it feels. You can leave the paper hanging up for a few days for you to consider how you would feel with an artwork hanging there.
Value
It’s up to you to be discerning about what you are buying online and how much you would be willing to spend on it. The more research you do, the more you will understand where your chosen work’s value is placed in relation to other works of the same medium and size.
Essentially the process of buying art shouldn’t change too much if it’s online or in person. We still need to be doing the research and buying something we have a connection to and will love for a long time.
-Emily MacAlpine is an interior designer with a background in architecture and experience working for an art consultant. She runs her own interior design business, MARG. Studio. The next intake of her online The Art Buyer’s Course will be early next month.
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Seven years ago, blinq.art opened its doors and became one of the busiest galleries in Sydney. Very quickly, they built an ecosystem of connoisseurs, photographers, critics and collectors; a place where you could go to look, sometimes learn, but always walk away with an expanded appreciation for the art of photography.
Cuba IV by Hélène Havard which I have hung in my own home, gets lot of compliments
For blinq.art, there is an important caveat however: the art has to be affordable. And this is why it’s been so popular with everyone from home renovators looking for a wall-sized flourish to complete their interior to gift-shoppers seeking an unforgettable and affordable present – the entry price is only $118!
I’m sharing some of my own favourites of theirs here. I love the ability of photographs to transport us to places we’ve been or would love to travel to, and perhaps that wanderlust has never been so strong, with the restrictions placed on us all by the global Covid-19 pandemic. But there are many other subjects too, which have nothing to do with travel.
La Dolce Vita V by Elena Iv-Skaya is another favourite of mine: like instant summer on your wall!
After six years at Westfield Bondi Junction, they recently decided to join the myriad of businesses populating the thriving Paddington end of Oxford Street. But if you’re not local and can’t enjoy the unique, almost European boutique experience blinq.art offers, you can of course visit their website. There you’ll find the complete art collection which evolves literally on a weekly basis, short videos to explain and show their finishes as well as the quality of the artworks.
blinq.art have seven sizes and six sophisticated framing options to choose from and shipping is free Australia-wide!
They just launched a free mock-up service to help you envisage how a piece will look in your home and to celebrate this new service, they are giving one Interiors Addict lucky reader the chance to win an artwork of their choice worth up to $1,500. If you wanted that special statement piece to get your home looking just so in time for Christmas, make sure you enter below by 17 December!
Whatever your taste, there’s a photographic artwork for you, from just over $100, also making them a great Christmas gift idea. The images throughout this post are my personal favourites and as you can see, there’s a great variety! The website lets you easily search hundreds of options by photographer, theme, size, orientation or even colours.
Arche I by Laurent Dequick is one of many beautiful architectural photographs Interiors Addicts may love.
Photographs are printed on high quality archival grade photographic paper, either glossy, matte or metallic paper, depending on the subject. They’re printed in accordance with the highest quality standards and under the supervision of the artist, delivered with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity. Once you’ve chosen the perfect piece, customise it with a wide choice of ways to present it; six signature wall mount formats as well as three acrylic ArtBlock sizes, perfect for your desk.
Oh my goodness, that little face: Fulczynski Neo by Christian Vieler
blinq.art are currently looking for stockists, so contact the team if you’re interested.
Competition
Peruse the website and tell us which is your favourite blinq.art artwork and why, in 50 words or less, for your chance to win it.
Entries close at 8pm Sydney time on Thursday 17 December 2020. The winner will be contacted via email within 7 days. The winner will be chosen by Jen Bishop and the blinq.art team based on the 50-word answer judged to be the best. The prize is not transferable, redeemable for cash or able to be swapped for a different item. The prize will be delivered to the winner’s home by blinq.art within 30 days of being notified of their prize. Open to Australian residents, aged 18 or over, who are not employees or associates of the promoters.
With a host of great artists in her stable, Greenhouse Interiors’ Julia Green is spoilt for choice most of the time. So, when it came to select prints for her latest art-inspired range of homewares she decided to base the collection around a nature theme. “The collection celebrates the beauty of a life by the sea; whistling winds in the outback, warm salty air and a sense of calm amongst the chaos of daily life. And most importantly, our Native collection nods to the fact that art is indeed, all around us,” says Julia.
The gorgeous range sees Julia collaborate with notable artists; Marcia Priestly, Jen Sievers, Kimmy Hogan, Natalie Jade, Janey Forbes and Kate Mayes. “We have brought their art to life via deliciously textured limited-edition bed linen, alongside a swag of other lifestyle products and apparel,” says Julia. The brand’s famous art quilts are back as well as a strong cushion line-up, tote bags, bath robes, tea towels, napery, cosmetic bags and more.
Australian landscapes provided the inspiration behind the prints in the collection which range from bold booms to craggy clifftop views as well as contemporary Aboriginal designs. “Each artist has been carefully selected to represent a ‘native’ collection of wares that quintessentially places their very own values, soul and surrounds at the forefront of their designs.”
A highlight of the range, the art quilts have been reprised in a couple of wonderful new prints. “I don’t think you can go past our signature limited edition printed art quilt – it’s the most incredible quality, the most snuggly soft French flax linen. With only 100 ever made, they are truly special,” says Julia who styles hers on the bed and couch.
The apparel line-up is strong too (I love that Kimmy Hogan sweater!), and Julia points to the art-tees also. “I have been thrashing our cotton tees. They are so fun to wear and attract lots of lovely compliments,” says Julia, who is also a big fan of the overnight bags and thinks they are the perfect price for gifting.
Julia in the fabulous Kimmy Hogan print sweater
Ultimately though, what makes this range really special is its limited edition status; a very small run has been produced so as not to saturate the market. “Our work is largely limited edition, which sets us apart from all of the other linen brands that repeat patterns time and time again.”
Stylist & art curator Julia Green shares top art tips
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Marcia Priestley’s latest works are about so much more than the female silhouette, but it’s certainly a beautiful place to start. Known best for her line art inspired by the female form, if you like that, you’re probably going to love these new abstract works!
Nude
What’s more, the Bendigo artist is now taking commissions for family portraits in this style. What a precious and unique keepsake and future heirloom that could be!
Colour
Her paintings serve first to illustrate the contour lines of a female silhouette, but when you look more deeply, they’re designed to reveal a certain integrity and grace within each individual subject. It’s easy to see how the curves of Marcia’s new collection complement a Mid Century Modern aesthetic, with sumptuous silhouettes formed by her organic approach.
Marcia, who works as an artist under the brand Bibi Ana + Co. (meaning a story about a woman) has a diverse style depending on her mood, but her signature style would have to be her line works which have more recently been developed into her latest original art range, the Contour Collection.
Lollo, one of Marcia’s line sketches
The clean, simple lines have been designed with predominantly earthy tones. You could say her unique style has been carefully curated to pair with her lifelong axiom: ‘The simple things in life are often the best’
Femme
Endlessly inspired by Mother Nature, Marcia paints in a studio surrounded by the Australian bush. Forever experimenting with line design, her symbolic and minimal style is derived from one single fluid line in a simplistic yet powerful formation.
“I’m diverse in my thinking,” Marcia says. “I paint what I see which translates into what I feel. I paint from emotion. About how I see myself and how I see others. I paint from inspiration I find in love, passion, vulnerability and strength.
“My goal is to capture a feeling rather than just a simple image. Art gives me the freedom to be myself”
Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors, who represents her, says: “Beauty often lies in simplicity; sometimes the most uncomplicated pieces of art are the most captivating, and so it is with Bibi Ana + Co. With no more than a few strokes, Marcia creates an alluring sketch of the female silhouette.
“Her collection of works capture the dignity, elegance and grandeur of the female form, and each piece evokes a seperate emotion that is left to its audience to interpret. These contemporary creations are as impactful as they are unassuming, and are examples of modern line artistry at its finest.”
Contour Collection limited edition prints start at $295.
IMAGES: Styling by Julia Green assisted by Aisha Chaudhry and Jess Retallack with photography by Armelle Habib.
Artist profile: Marcia Priestly of Bibi Ana + Co. – The Interiors Addict
While Bendigo based artist Marcia Priestly (of Bibi Ana + Co) lives far from the ocean, it’s a major source of inspiration for her work and particularly her latest collection…
Abstract artist and Reiki Master Jo Carroll, previously had a successful career in advertising, and only became serious about painting in late 2016. Jo’s desire to become an artist is one of her earliest childhood memories. Despite being discouraged rather than encouraged, she finally gave into this powerful urge when she became attuned to Reiki (a Japanese relaxation technique based on the notion that an unseen life force energy flows through us) and her creative energy came bursting forth in a way she’d never experienced before.
Artist Jo Carroll with one of her works
Melbourne-based Jo describes art as one of the greatest forms of self-expression where she can allow herself to be guided by the energy within and create from nothing. The practice of Reiki enabled her to find her inner happiness and focus on what’s truly important: “For me, it’s a wonderful way to meditate and let go of the conscious side of the brain. It’s probably the only time that I’m able to switch off and just be.”
Peacefulness, limited edition canvas print
Her serene colourscapes are not made from conscious choices but from an absolute trust in her body and mind to connect with the paint and canvas to create something beautiful. This is a huge departure from Jo’s background in advertising, where a tight brief is essential to a successful campaign. Although it may seem like a daunting task to face a blank canvas with numerous colour choices, Jo says: “The moment I try to control things is usually when I lose control and nothing works harmoniously. It’s a good reminder to always trust my intuition. It never fails me.”
Emerge, limited edition print on canvas
Despite the short period of time, and initially juggling full-time work and a third pregnancy, Jo’s artistic career has taken off. It took her two to three years of painting most days of the week to define and redefine her style into where it is today.
“People really underestimate how long it takes to find a unique style that is authentic to you as an artist. I think my style has always been there, mixed up with a range of other styles that I’ve played with over the years.” She adds: “When you love doing something so much, it doesn’t feel like hard work at all.”
After finding her style and putting all her trust in her intuition, Jo hasn’t hit a creative block since. “I actually have two different styles that I paint in. One is definitely dominating at the moment and I seem to like blue more than any other colour (laughing), but I’m looking to give the other style some love again soon and see where that takes me.”
Rainy Parade, 2019 original artwork
As an abstract artist, Jo has a connection and dialogue with her work that lets her know when a piece is done. She describes this process as “a bit kooky” but when it’s time to step back and part ways, the artwork lets her know.
Jo believes in her own creativity and tends not to spend too much time studying art in detail. “I believe that our creativity can be heavily influenced by what we’re exposed to. Images are very powerful things, so I don’t want to be distracted from my own path.” However, there are many artists Jo greatly admires. “My dream is to move to a home with an abundance of walls and open spaces suitable for large scale paintings and sculptures by Australian artists.”
Jo is now selling prints of her original work for the very first time, making it more affordable and accessible to all. They are available as high quality, limited edition prints on canvas, framed in oak, exclusively through The Interiors Assembly. Prices start at $770 inclusive of framing and shipping within Australia.
Buying art, and then knowing where and now to hang it, can be anxiety-inducing for many. But at the same time, we’re all excited to add some colour and beauty to our walls. Greenhouse Interiors are helping inspire and excite us with their latest stunning winter art show photoshoot.
Art by Beth Kennedy, Natalie Jade, Katie Wyatt, Jen Sievers, Kate Mayes and Anna Cole
The creation of Melbourne stylist Julia Green, Greenhouse Interiors curate a gorgeous, and particularly colourful, range of art and homewares, which they sell online. They’ve always styled and shot their brands’ wares but displaying different artists’ work together takes it one further.
Art by Madeleine Stamer
“We are well known for our love of mixing styles and colours and patterns, and as an art destination we really want to practice what we preach,” says Julia. “Showing how to curate mixed mediums, colours and styles, within an actual home, is our commitment to our colour-loving, art appreciative audience.
Art by Georgie Wilson
“We want them to be inspired with fresh ideas, and ways to display their art, and give them confidence to build their own collections. So we invest in photoshoots to share our ideas and our passion for colour, with the hope it will be contagious!”
Another way they’re helping people visualise art in their homes and have confidence to buy it, is by investing in a free 3D augmented reality app, particularly helpful when buying a print or painting over the internet.
Art by Kate Jarman, Katie Wyatt and Beth Kennedy
“It’s such a game changer and takes the guesswork out of trying to visualise,” Julia says. “It has really helped so many people who were unsure, especially about scale. We are all about finding a connection to work you love, that is key, but the app just gives people that helping hand and confirmation needed to see the work they love on their own walls without leaving home.”
The artists represented are a varied bunch but their work sits together beautifully. “Each artist is very carefully selected by us, for their unique style. Then a lot of consideration is taken as to how to style their wares, to exemplify how to create vignettes, or simply allow an artwork to be a hero in a space,” Julia says, with the aim of creating images which sets hearts a flutter!
Photographic art by Armelle Habib
“The artists all create in their own studios, but when their work hangs out together, you would think there had been some kind of master plan or plot as they always work so well together! It feels like a small miracle each shoot, and it’s so satisfying to see the family of work displayed together. They all just belong! I always feel so proud when I see them all together!”
This particular shoot (which we’re only showing a fraction of here) by Armelle Habib was “a massive undertaking” in the home of interior designer Simone Haag. “We measured up every existing artwork where a hook was already in the wall (hanging art on location is precarious enough without adding more holes to people’s walls or pulling their plaster off with 3M hooks!),” Julia explains. “This meant we were restricted size wise. Then each artist was sent a brief for the size of the work, and it was all then plotted out who would hang next to who, in pre-production. Hats off to the styling team, in this case in particular, Aisha Chaudhry who oversaw this part.”
Ceramics by Karen Morton
The logistics of getting all of the work to set, stored, unpacked, and then hung, took took two long days. “The pack ups and downs are crazy on a shoot like this; it takes a tribe to make it work. We shot a record number of shots this time around due to Aisha’s meticulous planning and Armelle’s speedy professional judgement. I would say pre-production spanned over four weeks.”
Textile art by Fleur Woods
Julia has always joked that shoots don’t fall off trees! “There’s just so much work that goes on behind the scenes and then after the scenes, and I need to thank every team member that has contributed to bring this one to life. We make a fab team, and that is why these campaigns work so well.”
Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling: Julia Green for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Aisha Chaudhry and Jessica Retallack.
Australian ceramicists: 6 you need to know!
I have a thing for ceramics. There’s something about art which you can hold in your hands, knowing that the artist who lovingly made it, also did so with theirs.…
Stylist & art curator Julia Green shares top art tips
Many of you will be familiar with the formidable interior styling talents of Julia Green but few realise her glittering career has evolved to encompass art curation too. It’s a…
Becoming a stylist: Aisha swaps IT for interiors!
An IT career seems an unlikely beginning for an interior stylist but it’s the story of Melbourne’s Aisha Chaudhry. Like many women, the career change was initiated by a maternity…
The right artwork can either make or break the look of an entire room, so it’s important to get it right from the get go. However it’s hard to know where to start – especially if you’re not much of an aficionado when it comes to art. Heather Gampe, from Sydney-based home design duo Oak and Orange, gives her tips on how to make smart, stylish decisions.
Pick an artwork style that you love Artwork is such a personal choice and one that needs some consideration before you dive in and make that purchase. The first step is to make sure you love it! If you are going to be looking at it day in and day out, you want to make sure you are happy with your choice. Go online at a large artwork site such as United Interiors and look at different styles. Are you drawn to bold, modern themes or dreamy Renaissannce prints? Do not rush the decision and make sure it suits the style of the room you are putting it in. A good approach is to search for artworks that fit the style of the room and narrow it down to ones that you absolutely love the look of.
Consider artwork colours when accessorising This ties into the style, but if you have a room that is filled with colour you may want an artwork that is more monochromatic, so it does not compete with all the other colours. On the flipside you may have a neutral colour palette in the room and decide to introduce colour through your artwork. The temptation can be to match the artwork colours to soft furnishings and styling items, but the risk here is that it can then become too matching. Choosing similar colours but not exactly the same is the perfect combination.
Choose the right artwork size Once you have found the perfect artwork get yourself a tape measure and mark it out on your walls. Even if you use painter’s tape to mark out the corners of where the artwork will fit it will give you a very quick indication of whether or not you have selected the right size. A common mistake we see is people choosing artwork that is too small.
Mark out groups of artwork prior Groupings are a great option for larger walls that need to be filled, but the key here is still getting the right sense of scale and proportion in the space. A group of two or three equal size artworks still gives a sophisticated finish to the room so long as they are not too small. It is a good idea to premeasure and mark where the artworks will be hung on the wall just to make sure you will be happy with the end result.
Frames are important There are so many framing options at the moment but if you want to invest in artwork that is going to last a long time you cant go past a white or black frame depending on your interior style. Timber frames work beautifully as well but it is important to not let the timber of the frame compete with other timbers in the room. Remember you want your eye to be drawn to the artwork itself not the frame. Canvas is another great option often more affordable than framing and lighter to hang it is a great option for those renting as they can be hung using removable hooks rather than drilling holes into the walls.
-Heather Gampe runs Oak and Orange with longterm friend Sarah Jobse. They’re both builders’ wives, serial renovators, mums and interior designers.
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I have a thing for ceramics. There’s something about art which you can hold in your hands, knowing that the artist who lovingly made it, also did so with theirs. Unlike paintings, you can often buy a smaller, ‘entry level’ piece so start a collection. And it will give you so much joy, trust me! You don’t just look at ceramics you can hold them too. Some even have important jobs besides looking pretty, like displaying flowers! And you can never have too many beautiful little dishes (like the Carla Dinnage ones below) dotted around your home to hold things like earrings, hairbands, keys, you name it!
So, let me introduce you to six great ceramicists and their work; some I’ve loved for years and some who are recent and exciting discoveries!
CARLA DINNAGE
Carla is Melbourne-based and has been on our radar for the longest time (with my love of gold, pink and green, that’s probably no surprise!). She studied fine art ceramics at RMIT in 1994. After travelling and a few different jobs in admin, marketing and merchandising, she married and had four kids in six years!
“Because I was so busy with the kids I really needed a creative outlet which led me back into my ceramics. I started to make a few small pieces and was driving out to Dandenong to get them fired. Friends and family started to then purchase my pieces so I knew there was a market out there,” she says.
“I purchased my first kiln and started my Instagram account. I then started to get a lot of wholesale inquiries. I now have two large kilns which run around the clock seven days a week and am stocked in over 40 stores Australia wide.”
Susan Christie is the woman behind Formantics. This was going to be an Australian roundup until we saw this New Zealander’s work (being represented over here by Greenhouse Interiors) and had to include it! She’s based in Auckland. I mean, wow.
Formantics
“I get very excited about playing with colour and form, whilst exploring ideas of balance and symmetry,” Susan says.
She discovered clay in the last year of her fine arts degree in 2015. “Now I’m obsessed! I traded in my profession as a psychologist to pursue art and have finally found what makes my tail wag!”
I’ve been following Ness Lockyer and her work for as long as I’ve been blogging, I’m sure!
Based in Tamar Valley, Tasmania, she makes small batch, handmade ceramics featuring her own hand drawn calligraphy and artwork. You could say she’s multi-talented!
Ness says she’s been an artist from as soon as she could hold a pencil. “But I was always scared to show my work to people, so I tucked it away for years. It wasn’t until I went on maternity leave with our first child, from a corporate job, that the need to create again became huge. I started my blog and making small things in ceramics (I hated ceramics at school, funnily enough), as well as screen printing my designs onto linen to sew into cushions. It just grew from there.”
Ness started doing architecture when she left school, but realised her love for interiors and homewares was what really lit her up. “I’m glad that’s how it happened as I couldn’t imagine doing anything else now.”
Madeline King is the creative force behind Earth Darlings, based on the Sunshine Coast in QLD. She makes all her pieces in her home studio.
“My style is warm, playful and honest,” she says.
Madeline majored in ceramics at university in the final year of a visual arts degree and became hooked!
“I have worked in various home studios since, between day jobs and then having children. Most recently, it’s been fulfilling to share my work more widely. “
Alice is based in Barwon Heads, VIC, and describes her work as bold and rustic stoneware.
“I am originally from Tasmania however our family are residing in Barwon Heads for a change of scenery while our three girls are young. I started ceramics in Tasmania as a six-week course which focussed on the three basic hand building techniques.
“I loved it and so kept practicing ceramics in my home studio in Launceston for many years, selling ceramics to friends and family.”
Karen Morton is Kaz Ceramics and she works from her purpose built studio on her property in Mount Eliza, overlooking the Moorooduc plains. “It’s surrounded by lush trees and wildlife and its proximity to my home makes it easy for late-night kiln loading and sneak-peeking when I’m working on new projects!”
Kaz (another we’ve been a fan of for years!) describes her work as organic and textural with pops of colour.
“I dabbled a little with ceramics when I was doing my painting degree in Ireland. It wasn’t until many years later when I became pregnant and had the most acute sense of smell and couldn’t stand the smell of oil paint, that I returned to working with clay and rediscovered my love for it. It’s such a beautiful natural material to work with; very rewarding and, like kids, definitely tests your patience.
“I was also working at a school at the time in the ceramics department and was introduced to Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors who filled her car boot with my work and knocked on the door of Husk. I’ll never forget Julia calling me later that day to say they loved the pieces so much that they wanted to place a trial order for 300 of them. I nearly died!
“It’s been non-stop since that day really! I love what I do, spend a lot of hours in my studio and have such a great team of people around me. I consider myself very fortunate.”
“I am hoping that I can bring a little bit of beauty to the world when it all seems so ugly. Maintaining hope and an appreciation for beauty is so important in times like this,” says Melbourne abstract artist Alizon Gray whose colourful yet calming works are just the antidote in times like now.
While acknowledging that her latest works have been created against a shambolic global backdrop, Alizon is hopeful that her beautiful oil paint creations cut through, bringing joy in this incredibly anxiety-provoking time.
Artist Alizon Gray in her Melbourne studio
“Considering the current mood of the world and the fear that many people have been experiencing in relation to climate change and now the coronavirus, I am focusing on making paintings that are quiet and calming. I am using lots of different colours in the paintings but working towards harmony in the marks and colours in the final layers,” says Alizon who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art (honours) from the Victorian College of the Arts and works out of a home studio in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote.
‘Frost’ oil on canvas
‘Prosecco’ oil on canvas
Describing her paintings as ‘abstract landscapes,’ Alizon uses minimal mark making around the edge of her paintings, leaving a calmer contemplative painted space within the interior.
“There is usually a horizon line in them somewhere; but I don’t like to be prescriptive about it. Often people will tell me that they see all sorts of images in my work that I would never have seen. I think that what we each see in any abstract work is very personal, and whatever we get from it is totally valid,” says Alizon.
“I spend a lot of time looking at my paintings as they develop and enjoy watching the different colours hum or settle as the layers build,” says Alizon.
An obvious colour lover, Alizon also finds inspiration in colour itself and is a big fan of Ken Done and his painting philosophy. “I love his idea that paintings can be beautiful objects that grow with you and give you pleasure over time, that you can find something new every time you look at them,” says Alizon.
‘Florentine,’ oil on canvas
And while she’s held many solo and group exhibitions since graduating, her most recent achievement is very impressive indeed. Alizon has just been announced as the winner of Fenton & Fenton’s inaugural ‘Australian Rising Talent’ artist search.
Calling Fenton & Fenton ‘an institution,’ Alizon is very excited about the possibilities that may open up from showing her work through the business. “I’m also thrilled to have the chance to share my work with a new audience.”
The Greenhouse Interiors artist stable is one of Australia’s most impressive, so when they shared their latest group photoshoot with us recently, we couldn’t wait to share. The shoot started with each artist being asked to produce a colourful new capsule collection of original artworks (inspired by summer and autumn), that were styled up together. “Life is better with colour,” goes the Greenhouse Interiors tagline and this latest shoot proves it really is.
What a delicious gallery wall!
“In true form, the pieces of the puzzle all came together as they always do. It all sat beautifully together, like they had all shared a studio space and co-created in the same room. The synergy and spirit in our team of artists is palpable. We are a unique bunch of like-minded colour lovers and when we get together, magic happens. We hope you love this collection as much as we do!” says Greenhouse Interiors’ Julia Green.
Aside from acting as a fabulous showcase for the Greenhouse Interiors artists, the shoot provides plenty of excellent styling insight too. “We like to give our customers ideas about how best to hang work, how to cluster it, and what kind of companion colours work. We also like to share the happy vibe created by using colour in one’s home!” says Julia.
Artist Madeleine Stamer’s works draw inspiration from Mexican folk art, nature, old school tattoos, 70′s design and the natural world
Shot inside a home on the coastline of Jan Juc (a suburb in Victoria’s Torquay), luckily for the team, the abode was already filled with an array of gorgeous furniture. “It’s a beautiful, textured space so all we had to was move on in and hang the work,” says Julia.
Monica Henry’s gorgeous hand stitched pieces take 8-10 hours to complete
Of the overall fun, colour-loving vibe, Julia wanted the shoot to convey the idea that true style often has nothing to do with how much money a person has. “We believe style is never about money or your bank account. It’s instead about creating warm, inviting spaces with love and colour always. And we think that was definitely achieved.”
A piece by Anna Cole
Julia’s artwork styling tips
Size matters
The scale of an artwork is really important for maximum impact. Always make sure you measure up the space with masking tape first, to see how it will really translate onto the wall. Greenhouse Interiors has a clever 3d augmented reality App that makes this task even easier.
Colour
Try to pick out some of the colours in the work and repeat them in soft furnishings or textiles, as this will sew the room together like a tapestry and make the space feel very harmonious.
Come to the dark side
Don’t be afraid of darker wall colours. The bedroom in our house was a clear favorite and it made all of our artworks go BOOM! Darker colours really mood up a space and create fab ambience. Give them a go!
A Kimmy Hogan original pops on the dark bedroom wall
Photography: Armelle Habib | Art direction: Julia Green | Styling: Aisha Chaudhry, Jessica Rettalack | Styling assistants: Kate Moss, Catherine Cornehls, Lisa Hunter, Lisa Kozsik
