art2muse – The Interiors Addict

Growing up around paint, Lara Scolari is relishing being a full-time artist

With her father an industrial chemist for paint brand Matisse, Lara Scolari grew up in a home that was abrim with the finest quality paint.

“Samples of luscious paints were always lying around our home,” explains Lara. “I was constantly encouraged and supported to explore and create without boundaries from my artistic parents. This upbringing, a love of expression and art, has informed my life.”

Leading her to many years of study, including the fine arts, arts administration, ceramics and a current Masters in cross disciplinary arts and design, Lara now works full-time as an artist; something, she has always dreamed of. “I love that I can now focus on my art full-time. I am also currently a director of the Hunters Hill Art Gallery and love supporting the arts and other artists by connecting opportunities with enthusiasm and expertise.”

With an abstract expressionism style, Lara focuses on the use of line, organic shape, layering and colour. Using a variety of mediums such as acrylic paint, spray paint, string (and other experimental techniques), pastel and oil, her art making practice relies heavily on impulse. “As with my personality, I like to explore and act on impulse. So in the studio when working, if I have an idea — even if it is crazy like I need the mesh from the oranges’ bag so I can spray paint through it — I just do it! Sometimes it works out and sometimes I just paint over it.”

Purple Rain lara scolari interiors addict — Purple Rain

[contextly_sidebar id=”kzmHfbrfuBqG3h3YshZQCnG30mJXIuK7″]Having held her debut Sydney exhibition last year, where she sold all 40+ artworks on display, Lara has now opened her follow-up exhibition, Tingle, at Sydney’s Art2Muse. “My latest body of work will be on exhibition at Art2Muse until 16 March, followed by Hunters Hill Art Gallery, Moree Art Gallery, Brisbane Modern Art and Tusk Gallery in Melbourne.”

While she may have just completed an impressive body of work, Lara has no plans to slow down. “In the next few years, I would like to expand and develop my own art making practice by exploring cross disciplinary forms. I have so much energy and so many ideas!”

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Artist and florist collaborate with colourful results

Wow, these are just beautiful, aren’t they?

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This is what happens when an artist (Alesandro Ljubicic) and a florist (Sean Cook of Mr. Cook) collaborate! Alesandro’s highly textured, abstract oil paintings on linen are inspired by Sean’s floral arrangements and a new exhibition (on now until 24 November) will also feature Sean’s floral installations. It promises to be stunning!

Alesandro is not yet 30 but has dedicated his whole life to his passion, art. He not only owns and runs one of the largest fine art supplies stores in Sydney, but is already highly awarded, and has had the opportunity to give awards while judging art prizes. Alesandro’s awards include Finalist in the Paddington Art Prize in 2009 and Finalist in the 2010 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the richest Australian portrait prize, and also the richest portrait prize in the world.

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Alesandro works in an open plan studio, painting four to six paintings at once. He explains: “The main thing I’m interested in is, essentially, colour. The flowers are obviously important, but they are really just the starting point for something much broader that I’m really trying to communicate through my paintings. What interests me is how a painting can make you feel, and how colour can change our experience of things and how it can change our perception.”

Fellow Sydneysider and friend, Sean, inspires the beautiful still life paintings and he frequently supplies Alesandro with the flowers that he paints. For 20 years, Sean has created intriguing and inspired floral designs for private homes, restaurants, fashion shoots, corporate events and weddings with his signature organic luxe style.

What: An exhibition of paintings by Alesandro Ljubicic in collaboration with Mr. Cook

When: Until 24 November 2014

Where: Art2Muse Gallery, 357 New South head Road, Double Bay

Photography by Jacqui Turk.