Talking to the Artists!

What does an artist do when he or she reaches a creative block???

How important is it to create the right environment for creative activity??

What can one learn from a mistake, or happy accident??

How important is subject matter??

Where does work begin and play end??

Simple questions. I love hearing the answers to these and many times have craved this type of conversation with fellow artists, especially when I am lacking motivation. I spend many hours searching for artist interviews online also (if I can't talk face to face) so I can listen to or read about their daily triumphs and struggles - and how they overcome them. It's nice to know I'm not alone, especially when I spend days on end in the studio, or way too much time trying to get a painting to work for me.

My husband bought a book and DVD for me last Christmas which has been an absolutely amazing read and extremely inspiring. It's called:

"STUDIO - Australian Painters on the Nature of Creativity"


It contains 61 interviews with Australian artists, some more well known then others, most I have heard of and am familiar with their work. Some of the artists interviewed: David Bromley, Ken Done, John Wolseley (who I love!), Wendy Sharpe, James Gleeson, Peter Churcher, Margaret Olley, Rick Amor. All written material is accompanied by a photograph of their studio (which I could look at for hours) and of their work.

The wonderful thing about this book is that the artists answer most (some all) of the questions at the top of this post, and in reading these, they seem SO NORMAL. That sounds silly but that was my immediate reaction, it was a sense of relief!. When you read about a well known, established artist in the press it's hard not to put them up on a pedestal, sometimes I wonder if at a certain stage in their career they just don't have to face these daily struggles any more..Oh but I am wrong, they certainly do, and it doesn't seem to get easier (which ain't a good thing hahaha).

The whole point is, this book makes me feel good. These artists are all talented and produce great work and this is a much needed insight into the daily working life of an artist. But they are still human, and what they have is certainly achievable.

**If you don't get hold of the book - see the exhibition at the VIC State Library on now!