How would you describe your art?
I create playful yet calming still life compositions often depicting stacked organic objects like fruit, shells and flowers. My work has been described as having a unique sense of colour. I think the through-line is probably my love for bringing eclectic objects together in the one image. I love combining them in a space and seeing how they juxtapose: a crustacean and a melon; a fish in a bag and a flower.
When were you first drawn to your art form?
I started painting as a distraction from a really uncomfortable pregnancy and haven’t looked back. What starts as a meditative practice of making a pretty picture (often with leftover fruit from a styling job) ends up being a photographic print and eventually a painting, or even a mixed media melding of the two – my favourite.
Does your studio reflect any personal traits?
Originally from Canada, I now live in Austinmer on the South Coast of NSW. We moved here a year ago after many years in Sydney. My paintings have a looser quality about them now that I’ve settled into the slower pace of country life and am less influenced by the frenetic energy of the city. My studio décor is an extension of my style at home but a little messier.
Did you study fine arts, or are you self-taught?
I studied Art History and Theory at university with a minor in Visual Arts. Other than that, I consider myself self-taught. I think my background in Art History and work in styling have both leant themselves to my practice, as I have an innate sense of colour and composition. As a stylist, my eye is always looking for beautiful vignettes and colours that sing together.
What draws you to your subject matter?
I use mostly fruit, flora and organic ephemera. I’m not sure what it is, but maybe it’s that it’s something from the everyday that we can all relate to? I’m certainly not alone in being drawn to these elements – the Dutch Masters were onto something!
Something people may not know about your tools?
I use mostly acrylic paint on canvas, though I have painted on wood totems I’ve created, vintage marbled paper, clay, and I also paint over my photographs. Each surface has a different way of absorbing paint, with the vintage marbled paper being the least forgiving! What
I love about acrylic paint on canvas is that you can paint over it as many times as you need, so you can fix ‘mistakes’.
Is there anything you’re currently working on?
I’ve been really into diptychs and have one that I’m close to finishing. I’m exploring a little with new mediums to see where that leads and have also had a couple of exciting things launch recently, like my Food for Everyone poster that I am very proud of.
Above: Artist Nicole Nelius. Courtesy: the artist.
