MEET THE ARTIST: SILVIA ROTUNDO

Silvia works from her home studio in Yarraville, Melbourne. With doors leading out to the garden and a flood of natural light, the studio is a space where Silvia is surrounded by all the things she loves: art from other artists, textiles and objects that are special to her.

Painting and drawing since she was a young child, Silvia remembers her mother teaching her to draw. “She loves flowers and I guess that’s where I got my love of flowers also. It was the first thing she taught me to draw. I think I was around five at the time and I recall it so clearly. I love this memory.”

Silvia’s journey to working as a full-time artist has been a long one. After studying interior decorating and design, she pursued a career in the field for over 27 years. “I would incorporate my artwork into peoples’ homes and spaces in the form of murals and commissioned canvases. I didn’t have much time to paint with my interior decorating work, so it was only occasionally I could provide my own work to clients.” When Silvia made the bold decision to paint full time, she realised it was something she had been longing to do for a long time. “Painting makes me fully present. It’s meditative, calming and joyful. I feel alive when I have that brush in my hand.” Silvia held her first solo show after 18 months of painting full time, completely selling out on opening night.

Silvia draws her inspiration from many sources. With a love of colour, she is particularly interested in the colours found in nature, fashion, old movies, design and textiles of the 50s and 60s, Japanese textiles and the works of people such as Orla Kiely and Marimekko. “I am inspired by handmade items and artisans. I love pieces that have meaning and a story. I do a lot of research along with visiting galleries; Heide gallery is my favourite!”

Silvia has immersed herself in creative experiences, always sketching, painting and taking short courses in metal work, folk art painting, knitting and “anything creative”. Her painting and drawing skills developed through great teachers at high school, art mentors and painting and drawing classes she attended since moving to the West. “In particular, a chap named Darien Pullen, who runs art classes in Melbourne’s West. He’s an extraordinary artist and encouraged my stills.”

Silvia’s love of colour is clear to see through her stunning still life works. Using acrylics, impasto and ink, she builds her work up in layers. “I use washes and make a lot of stencils to create my work. It’s tedious and takes a lot of time. I plan all my work with sketches and colours and sometimes a mood board.”

“I create art with all my heart and soul. There’s a little piece of me, my energy, in all my work. I hope to bring joy and beauty into people’s homes and lives through my work.” 

 

See Forman’s range of beautiful Silvia Rotundo works here!