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Michelle Fogarty’s stunning still life paintings beautifully reflect a moment in time; a split second, or maybe a long afternoon. She imagines people sitting around a dining table surrounded by pattern, colour, plates, vases, jugs, flowers and food and aims to evoke feelings of happiness and love.
 
Art has always been a large part of Michelle’s life. “I have always been able to draw. My earliest memories are of me drawing at home with my dad, who is also an artist. Art has always been around me and enriched my life. It’s funny; people have asked me over the years, ‘How do you do it?’ I guess I have always taken it for granted but now I am lucky enough to spend every day doing the one thing I truly love.”
 
Michelle left her local high school and went to RMIT to complete her VCE, majoring in Fine Art. From there, she went on to complete a Bachelor degree in Fine Art and then decided on a Diploma of Education. She taught at her local Catholic primary school, enjoying the feeling of community and belonging. “I was even lucky enough to teach my own children, something I will treasure forever.”
 
For Michelle, there was always a longing for art. “I would paint every now and again over the years, raising my two children and running a home. It took all my courage to give up my teaching position and give art a real go. I left behind many wonderful memories.”
 
Michelle now works from her Berwick home, in a beautifully well-lit space which she loves. “I love that I have everything at my finger tips and especially love when I am home alone and find solitude and peace in my art. I love being surrounded by lovely things, so my home is my sanctuary.”
 
Inspiration comes readily for Michelle through the work of her favourite artists (Degas, Bonnard, Vuillard, Hopper, Vermeer, Matisse, Van Gogh, Gaugin, just to name a few!), particularly the colour in their work. “Colour brings joy, peace and happiness; colour is my everything. Oil on canvas is my preferred medium. It is thick and lovely, and I am able to work texturally and create some amazing colours that sing!” Flowers are also a constant source of inspiration and Michelle works only from fresh flowers that are in season. “I am always amazed at nature and how beautiful a flower or leaf can be.”
 
“I live through my work. My paintings consume me. I think about them constantly and always want to do better, to improve, and to learn. I am able to wake up in the morning, walk a few steps to my studio and dive into a world that is surreal. I pinch myself that I am so lucky to paint, to create, and hopefully spread a little joy into people’s lives.”

 

See Forman's range of beautiful Michelle Fogarty works here!

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When it comes to Mother's Day, we couldn't think of a better gift than the gift of beautiful original art! Is your mum a bold colour enthusiast? No matter her style, we have got the perfect artwork to help you spoil your special lady!

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Melanie Macilwain’s bright and bold abstract works exude joy through their exploration of movement and the combination of colours and textures.
Melanie works from her home studio in Geelong. ‘I have a studio in my house, although depending on the light, the size of my work or if I’d like my dog for company, I’ll move to create a new space for the day.’ Music and podcasts are things that Melanie describes as essential for helping her create, along with taking breaks away from her artwork and walking her dog in order to ‘keep the motor running.’
Melanie was surrounded by creativity from a young age. Her grandparents came from overseas and she spent a lot of time with them, witnessing their talents in woodwork and cooking. ‘A big dinner for everyone was also an extension of their creativity and I just loved the conversation their food started. It was intrinsically rewarding but I was still unsure how I could build something the same. I have created artworks since.’ 
Melanie is a self-taught artist. ‘I had wonderful experiences with art including brilliant teachers, and my Mum is a big advocate of my creative ability. Because I am curious by nature, I have always gone out to find answers or gain advice, and I always collect information visually. My curiosity has pushed me to grow and learn but I’ve got so much further to go. It’s exciting to think that my skills will continue to improve.’
Melanie explores colour and the challenge of making relationships work within a piece. She often reworks layers and viscosity to bring rhythm and harmony to the colours used. She predominantly works with acrylic paint on canvas and occasionally board, enjoying the texture that can be developed with the paint. ‘I love how, when you place paint on a board, it feels like shaping butter icing onto a cake.’
Inspired by various sources when it comes to her work, Melanie is particularly interested in different colour and textural combinations. As a trained school teacher, she enjoys watching young children explore colours without hesitation. ‘They are genius. They don’t overthink the choice, and choose colours based on what makes them feel right. The amount of arguments I’ve resolved between 5-year-olds based on coloured crayons is uncountable. It is obvious that everyone has a colour that is important to them, but as we get older it’s in the form of shoes, cars or furnishings.’ Although a prep student’s work with paint, crayon or texta is often not technical, it is the risk taking and trust in a colour that Melanie finds inspiring.
Melanie is also inspired by the landscapes around Maryborough in Victoria, where she has family. ‘Travelling on these roads is relaxing and I could stare at the hills and paddocks all day long. There is nothing quite like the simplicity of the land or walking the dogs in the bush together.’
Melanie is a fan of many artists (Craig Waddell, Rhys Lee, Ann Thompson and Sonia Delaunay to mention a few!) but Ken Done’s works are particularly exciting for her. ‘I’ll never forget meeting Ken and asking him what his favourite colour was, and then him asking about mine. He drew me a flower and I ran off shaking! Embarrassing, but totally worth it. One of my sold works, ‘Summer Fields with the Top Down’, is inspired by this very experience.’
When asked about a career highlight so far, Melanie describes meeting Forman’s Nick and Kara. ‘They supported me from the start and continue to do so. They knew that I could make mistakes, but they trusted bringing me into their business. I’m grateful for their kindness and guidance – and the great short black coffees Nick has made me over the ride!’
Melanie aims to create works that she would hang in her own home. 'If I know I could happily hang the work in my dining room for a dinner party with family and friends, then I know it is finished and ready. The artworks are here to brighten your day and home. If I can do that for people, then I know I am doing the right job.’
 
Check out our range of joyous Melanie Macilwain works here!

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Susan Trigg has been involved in the visual arts most of her life, returning to painting in 2017 after some years working as a commercial photographer. She paints from her home studio in Naarm/Melbourne, and is currently undertaking post-graduate study at the Victorian College of the Arts.

With a background in literature, media, psychology, textile design and art, Susan is heavily influenced by her fascination with our internal landscape as well as the natural environment. She is particularly interested in the connection between nature and culture, and is currently investigating how this can be communicated in paint through the combination of geometric and organic forms.

Stay up to date with new work from Susan by visiting her website or following us on Instagram.

See Forman's collection of Susan Trigg works here!

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Tara Schyer has been surrounded by art since childhood, and was taught an appreciation for, and the wonder of, beautiful things in art. While she always loved art in high school, it wasn’t until around 15 years ago that she began to paint. Painting mostly abstract landscapes at the time, it was during a year at VCA that she fell in love with the minimalist and hard-edge style.
 
Tara has a ‘co-existing career’ as a psychologist and has been working in private practice for the last 17 years. Taking the plunge and committing to take her long-held art dreams seriously by studying at VCA was a highlight for her.
 
When painting, Tara works from her home studio in Melbourne. “Having a studio at home allows me to become totally absorbed at any time of the day, and to leave my things everywhere. I can look at paintings as I pass them by dozens of times a week, and it helps to reflect on what’s needed for it to progress. It takes me time to reflect, think, feel and sense what’s next with it. I can be quite messy when I’m in the middle of painting and, at the end, I’m surrounded by the colours and the clutter of the process.”
 
Mainly working with acrylic paint, along with pencil and metal leaf to add texture, Tara likes to layer paint and then strip it back to reveal the colours below. “It’s all about the hidden meanings, depths and representations for me.”
 
Tara’s current work blends the hard-edge and abstract scapes of shape and form, exploring the themes of home and land. She is inspired by buildings, angles and architecture, along with simple colours and grand shapes which can create a sense of comfort or cohesion. “I always search for connection in life and in art and seek to feel and present these visual and emotional connections in my paintings.”
 
See Forman's collection of stunning new Tara Schyer works here!

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