Looking foward and back
A goal of mine since starting my art practice has been to have one “note-worthy” artistic event each year. This could be having my artwork exhibited in a gallery, participating in an art program, or running a workshop, essentially, something meaningful to add to my artist CV.
I started strongly, becoming a finalist in an international art prize, participating in group exhibitions, holding two solo exhibitions, and running several workshops, all within two years. However, as my practice has evolved and my living situation has changed, I have found it more challenging to create opportunities that mark a significant milestone in my artistic journey each year. While this can be disheartening, I also like to look back on what I have achieved with a sense of awe.
I really only started drawing faces with oil pastels that I had owned for over a decade, and those drawings developed into something that people genuinely connected with and enjoyed. I kept creating without a clear idea of where those pieces would lead, and somehow they became something far greater than I expected.
I am currently working on a series of mountain drawings using soft pastels. This represents a new medium and a new subject matter for me. I feel like I am navigating uncharted waters. It is daunting, but it is also exciting. I have been fortunate enough to move to Tasmania, where breathtaking mountains are only a few hours’ drive in almost every direction. The landscapes are truly remarkable.
The geology of Tasmania is distinctive and vastly different from the rock formations of North Queensland, which immediately captured my attention as I explored the state. I began taking a notebook and coloured pencils on weekend bushwalks to sketch the mountains around me. The dramatic rock formations often translated into craggy, simplified forms that could be broken down into basic shapes. I found that these mountain drawings began to share characteristics with my earlier portrait paintings, particularly their signature cubist and abstract qualities.
Moving to a new state has made it challenging to understand how to continue progressing my art practice. I am still getting to know the local art community, searching for new opportunities, and adapting to a different creative environment. I have also lost some of the familiarity and confidence I once had within my practice, which has made the process of progressing as an artist more difficult.
As I continue developing my work, I want to reconnect with the mindset I had when I first started creating: making art because I love the process of creating. Goals and aspirations are important, and I will always strive towards them, but I need to remember the original motivation behind my practice — the joy of simply making art.
