FEATURED ARTIST - Paul Summerfield

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?I have been drawing for as long as i can remember, But my Passion for digital art started when we got our first computer, a Mac Plus. It had a greyscale screen and a very small screen but the possibilities seemed endless when using digital paint programs. This interest continued until i had the chance to Study at AIE in Canberra.
While Studying at AIE i was influenced by many different digital art forms and this where the basis for my style of Painting came about.

What is the main inspiration and influences for your work?The Juxtaposition of Urban and Nature in Cities really inspires me.
Music is something that allows new ideas to form.
Rooftop Gardens, Plants growing everywhere possible,
botanical Gardens and Rain forests and dreams.
A recent trip to Tokyo gave me the opportunity to experience and explore a metropolis first hand, i `m looking forward to seeing cities in China, korea and other parts of asia.

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?The sharing of my work and stories is what keeps me going, i realized that i wanted to make art full time a longtime ago, but being able to support your self with your art is a long journey, but very interesting and enjoyable and its something i look forward to pursuing.


What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?A group of friends helped to make my first Solo exhibition happen, i feel indebted to them and it drives me to create work so that i can have another solo exhibition soon.
My Partner Lara and i Lived in Japan for a year, The ideas and inspiration from this adventure have had a huge influence on the direction of my work.
i am looking forward to going back to Japan too see friends and places that felt like home.

How would you describe the art & design scene in Canberra?The Canberra Scene is very friendly and supportive.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?Keep Producing work everyday.
Share and Collaborate with other artists and explore new media`s and art forms.


Where would you like to take your art in the future?I want my Art to become more interactive, i`m just waiting for technology to catch up with my dreams. i would like to be able to create work on a large scale digitally.
i`m looking forward to Touch screens that are meters in size and flexible so that work can be created with as much expressive actions as painters with a large canvases.

What advice do you have for other artists hoping to follow in your footsteps?There is so many types of digital art, so find a style that resonates with you and build on that.

What tools do you use in your Art Practice?I use a Mac laptop, desktop Pc, graphics tablet, Photoshop, Illustrator, sketch books, Pens and Paper and i really enjoy going to cafes and exploring places to get new ideas, also i love to listen to music while working.

URL http://www.ageofwonder.org

FEATURED ARTIST - Katie Dawson from MissChief Maker

How long have you been creating art and how did you get started?14 months. Since Beginning Oct 2009. I got started because my mum decided to reconstruct a few baby girl dresses with vintage bits and they looked so lovely……we started from there.

What is the main inspiration and influences for your work?Being back in Canberra, having a baby daughter, needing to be more sustainable from an environmental perspective and I needed to divert from my previous professional life inspired me to create MissChief Maker.

When and how did you realise, this what you wanted to do with your life?When I felt a sense of balance and satisfaction with my life and family.


What other areas of life have shaped your work as an artist?A creative mother, she always has the attitude ‘I can do that’, my love of food and being creative with that, an appreciation of the finer things in life, I love shape, colour and form.

How would you describe the art & design scene in Canberra?Growing, clever, exciting.

What have you learnt most about establishing yourself as an artist?How challenging it is to get customers in the door! As a retailer, I’m in a very unique location, nestled in the trees in a plant nursery in Pialligo. It’s relaxing and serene but sometimes people don’t know there’s a real treasure of handmade goodies lying amongst the trees

Where would you like to take your business in the future?I would love to expand to stock more and more beautiful handmade goods and have Canberrans appreciate handmade. I would also like to be known in Canberra as stocking the best quality pre-loved children’s clothing.

http://www.misschiefmaker.com.au/