MEET THE ARTIST: PRUE CLAY

MEET THE ARTIST: PRUE CLAY

When creating her expressive abstract landscapes, Prue Clay says she is ‘more interested in the hum of the landscape than how it looks to the eye. These paintings are a reflection of the feelings I felt when I immersed myself in the wilderness…’
 
Growing up on a farm in rural New South Wales, Prue has always felt a connection to the land. Her works are inspired by the landscapes around that area and also of Tasmania, where she travels regularly. She likes to immerse herself in her surroundings, observing the changing weather and drawing inspiration from the emotional connection she has to the landscapes.
 
Prue paints from her Brunswick West home, predominantly working with oil on canvas or linen. Currently in the process of building her home studio, she has set up a temporary studio in her dining room. ‘This works really well as it allows me to paint whilst looking after my two young kiddies.’
 
When in her early twenties, Prue contracted a rare virus which left her with impaired vision for three months. At the time, doctors were unsure if she would recover – something Prue describes as a life changing moment. Today, her eyes are still scarred, and she sees the world through patches of blurred vision. This unique perspective is reflected in the depth and colour of Prue’s stunning landscapes.
 
See Forman’s collection of beautiful Prue Clay works here!

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Meet the Artist: BRENDA MEYNELL

Meet the Artist: BRENDA MEYNELL
Brenda worked in fashion and interior design until she moved from the UK to Ibiza, in Spain, in 2004. Eventually, she started dabbling in painting and sculpture and by 2016 she was creating as a full-time artist. Her work still often reflects the beauty of the sea and island life. “I moved to Australia permanently in 2017 and it’s been an inspiration to live and work here. I love the diverse scenery, cultures and the general friendliness. It’s here where I finally feel like I’ve got into my stride artistically.”
Brenda now lives and works in Warburton in the beautiful Yarra Valley. “I have my little studio in my garden at home, overlooking my rainforest garden, where my constant visitors are the cheeky parrots who live in the garden and often pop into the studio when my door is open, hoping for sunflower seeds!”
Married to a music producer, music is a constant in Brenda’s home. “We both have very eclectic taste, so it can range from dreamy ambient, through to jazz, salsa, soul - you name it, we probably play it! I can’t work without it, though occasionally I will listen to a good podcast, if I’m in the mood.”
Brenda works with acrylic paints and soft pastels and describes painting as a constant learning process. “My influences range from Cy Twombly, Helen Frankenthaler, Joan Mitchell… well, really most of the well-known American abstract expressionists of the 50s and 60s!”
“I turn up most days at the canvas, whether I’m in the mood or not. Sometimes magic happens and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s important to show up. I like the challenge of a big canvas. I find it really hard to paint on a very small scale, though I do try sometimes.”
“I recently entered my very first art show and was delighted to win ‘Best in Show’, with some strong competition from over 200 fellow artists! I love where I am in life in general and for me, developing a career at a time when most people are thinking of retiring is a huge plus. As George Eliot said, ‘It’s never too late to be what you might have been!’”
 
See Forman’s stunning collection of new Brenda Meynell work’s here!

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MEET THE ARTIST: NADIA ROBERTSON

MEET THE ARTIST: NADIA ROBERTSON

Nadia’s exploration of clay began at a very young age. Her father Giuseppe is an earthmover - still jumping on an excavator at 73! When he would return home with his truck, a young Nadia would remove the clumps of orange clay from the mud flaps. ‘I just loved working it through my hands. I would smell it, squish it and try to understand the integrity and language of this material without having to create anything with it.’

A qualified Early Childhood Educator, Nadia became more interested in art when studying at Melbourne University as a mature age student. ‘Architecture, colour, sounds and smells could not be dulled or avoided in the city. Eventually, this woke my senses to the many galleries in the area. From time to time, I would visit the galleries during long lecture breaks.’ Nadia is now a practising artist, along with her work as a specialist clay teacher in kindergarten and primary school settings. She is currently collaborating at Ruyton Early Learning Centre as an Artist in Residence.

Nadia creates her exquisite miniature works from her inner city Melbourne home studio; a space that Nadia describes as ‘small and intimate’.  She works with white Raku clay which, when worked with a sponge or tool, creates a wonderful textured appearance. She hand builds, paints and uses sgraffito technique to create miniature eyes, hands, ears and faces that acknowledge some of her favourite artists: Picasso, Dali and Frida. Her works are kept simple, using a monochromatic palette of black, grey and white underglazes.

Owls in arched shrines are common motifs in Nadia’s work due to her reverential love for the bird. ‘I believe their intuitive nature and vision are connected. The owl also happens to be my spirit animal, who I believe witnesses and marvels in nature’s intelligence.’

Nadia’s latest works are inspired by the ‘Lover’s Eyes’ – eye miniatures that were featured in jewellery during the Georgian period, evoking sentiments of love and remembrance. ‘With my eye pieces in particular, the participant or viewer has to consider how they will interpret him/her through the eyes only because the bodies are not revealed, and that experience will be different for each person.’

While Nadia has been creating miniature wall pieces particularly for those who live in small spaces, she also loves the idea that her small works ‘can be held in one’s hands as well as gifted to the ones we love and adore.’

 

See Forman’s range of stunning Nadia Robertson ceramics here!

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MEET THE ARTIST: MICHELLE FOGARTY

MEET THE ARTIST: MICHELLE FOGARTY

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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The Mother's Day Edit

The Mother's Day Edit
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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