Q + A: Elysia Nagel

Tell us about your practice?

I have two main practices: painting and photography. My paintings are an expression of colour, texture and movement. I describe it as abstract art. My photography is a reinvention of objects in the environment, taking an ordinary everyday element of nature and turning it into art.

Take us inside your studio…

I always have music on while painting. It helps me free up the body and mind and let go, which I find helps create more movement in my work. Most times, the beat of the song influences my brush strokes and the colours I end up using. I love the combination of art and music. For me, they just go together.

What is your process?

I tend to be quite spontaneous when I’m painting. I like to utilise more of my body, rather than traditional easel painting. Normally I will lay my canvas flat on the ground or up against a wall, then apply a base layer, and go with the flow of the paint. I don’t usually set out with a clear idea in mind, but my process usually involves a lot of vigorous and sweeping brush strokes, along with distorted forms, exaggeration, texture and bold colours. My photography process is quite different. On daily walks with my greyhound I always have my camera with me. I’m always scanning my environment for colour, texture, shape, form and pattern. Each walk seems to present something new that I haven’t noticed before. The end result of all of my work is always to achieve interesting, conversational and emotive pieces of art.