As a visual artist I find so much to be beautiful, it could be the way in which I see a line, the texture of a brick, the rawness of the ground or it could be a person.

Now, to find a person beautiful or interesting in an artistic sense can be different to that of sexual nature. The two can cross over sometimes, but it is important to remember that it can just be one or the other too.

The awkward part for any artist (well, me at least), is having that want, that need, that interest to draw, paint or photograph someone… especially when it is someone you don’t really know. There is a fine line between innocent creativity and being plain old creepy. Now, if that person is a creative they are most likely to understand your intentions when it comes to wanting to illustrate them, others perhaps, may be the ones who find the idea of you wanting to create an image of them to be yes, that’s right, creepy. You then find yourself over explaining your intentions and your creative process, which instead of helping them to understand turns them from thinking you are a bit creepy to them thinking you are a full on creeper, and there goes your muse!

I have drawn and painted many people over the years, some I knew, some I didn’t. Every now and then you do need to talk to that person, especially when you will be exhibiting a piece of work which features them. Its not so bad if its just a illustration you have done of someone you don’t know at all, someone you may have observed at a park, or on the bus. But when it is someone you know, or kind of know, then that’s when the awkward conversation starts. ESPECIALLY if you have already created the work.

As an artist you are not always going to understand why you have such interest in a person, why you find their features so intriguing, the reason why they make you feel slightly uncomfortable, and why with this, you feel the need to create an image of them.

My advice is just to be honest, if you want to create an image of someone just talk to them about it, reach out in some way, its going to be awkward. Even when you know someone its going to be awkward, keep that in mind. I find it easier to just be upfront with people, if you aren’t sure exactly why you want to create an image of them there is nothing wrong with admitting that. We don’t always know why we create, why certain people or things inspire us, but to be true to yourself and your creativity, just go with it. Create that image, have that awkward conversation, but just remember to be honest with your intentions.

At the end of the day have fun with it. Its just art after all.

I will be showcasing a couple of these images that required an awkward conversation at RAW: SYDNEY PRESENTS FUTURES on 19th February at Manning Bar [Manning Road, University of Sydney, Camperdown]

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.rawartists.org/tickets/purchase/1909/293366

Works based on and inspired by Orto Trading co. in Surry Hills (http://www.ortotradingco.com/)
Tickets are $20 and should be an entertaining night!

Hopefully see you there!

Every day I go to the same café, order the same coffee and have my regular spots to sit. I like it. I like that I know the coffee is going to taste the same, the staff are (mostly) going to stay the same and the feeling within the space, the energy that fills the air, is going to stay the same. The only thing that changes are the flowers. The flowers are never the same.

The same flowers may sit there on the table from the day before, but they are not the same. The life of the flowers ever so slightly fading away, changing the way in which they sit, the colour of the petals, the richness of the leaves, and strength of the stems. They are not the same.

The subtle changes in the flowers is all I need. That is enough for me. The consistency in everything else around me creates the right energy for me to create. For me to be there. Present.

That is the creative energy I need.