Who are your favourite artists?
My favourite artists are all of the artists around me in my art community. I feel so encouraged and inspired by all my friends at Onwards Gallery where I have my art studio. It is such a joy to come into work and catch up with everyone and see all the amazing things they are up to! I also love going to the opening nights of exhibitions around Newcastle and meeting new artists as well as chatting to my art community online.
An artist from history you’d have loved to meet?
I would love to meet Henry Matisse as his collage series of Blue Nudes sparked my interest in painting the female figure and using bold colours and shapes in my paintings. This is why you will see a lot of blue female figures in my paintings.
What’s been inspiring you lately?
I love collecting books from second hand stores and have a rapidly growing collection! I came across a beautiful book on butterflies and cut out every single one and stuck them all over my studio walls. I have been getting alot of inspiration from all the patterns and colours on their wings and they have started making their way into some of my recent paintings.
When I am in need of inspiration I go exploring in antique stores and this week I came across this amazing shell vase that made me wonder what it would be like to dive inside of a giant shell! I had to go back to my studio right away and sketch out all these ideas and turn them into a painting.
“I would love to meet Henry Matisse as his collage series of Blue Nudes sparked my interest in painting the female figure and using bold colours and shapes in my paintings.”
What’s one big goal you’d love to achieve in your artistic career?
I have two big goals currently! The first one is that I would love to do an artist residency overseas and the second is that I have been dreaming of doing an artist collaboration with a clothing brand.
What colours have you been drawn to lately?
I have been very drawn to ultramarine blue and terracotta recently as well as this colour called Australian Sienna which has a very glowy appearance when layered with burnt umber. I love layering different colours and experimenting with new combinations!
When do you do your best work?
I am not a morning person as much as I wish I was! I find I focus best on creating my art and feel most in the zone in the afternoon and night time
Melody’s top advice for aspiring artists:
Take that first step.
So many people have amazing talent, but they never tap into it because they don’t think it’s an option.
It’s okay to keep your day job.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket financially. Try to maintain different sources of income in or outside of your creative practice.
Marketing is important.
Learn how to market yourself. If people aren’t buying your art, it’s usually because you need to market yourself better, not because of your art.
Rejection is just redirection.
Getting rejected is part of the job. We’ve all experienced it, but it makes you better and it makes you grow.
Avoid comparison.
Never feel discouraged by someone else’s wins. Know that what you see on Instagram is never the whole picture – no one wins all the time.
Never give up.
If you’re going to be an artist, you can’t give up. You have to be persistent, determined and passionate, and you must love what you do.
Get $20 off an art workshop
with Melody
Members of The Fold can enjoy $20 off any of Melody’s art workshops using the code SWELL20.
