We are sharing the talents of a new Australian mixed media artist, Jess Crawford, today. I came across her on Instagram and loved what she is doing. Last year Jess was lucky enough to receive Tam Laporte’s Lifebook 2014 (an online year long mixed media course) for Christmas, and says this started her on the creative journey.
“It has been the best present ever – each week new lessons come to your inbox and you learn lots of new techniques to use and have a play with” says Jess. This year she has learned to draw faces and animals and says that every time she does something new she thinks”‘wow, I cant believe I just drew/painted that!” Since starting Lifebook, lots of friends and family have been impressed with Jess’s art and so she has started her own etsy shop to see where she can take it.
Where does your inspiration come from for your work?
My inspiration mainly comes from photographs. I love instagram, and I love Pinterest. I can spend hours trawling for images and then painting my own version of the images, which usually has a bit of whimsy or fantasy added to it. I love painting people usually female, and often with a message about self esteem or self care. I think as girls and women we don’t encourage ourselves or each other enough and I hope that my art assists in this encouragement somehow.
Do you have any artists you aspire to?
As I am only starting out in this ‘Art Biz’ I am just in awe of so many artists and the diverse talents that each have. Obviously I think Tam Laporte is wonderful, along with others such as Alena Hennesy and Kate Mason.
What is your style at home?
I live in country South Australia with my husband and two young boys, so I really like to add my ‘girly, girl’ touches in my art and home. We live in a 1920s bungalow that we have completely gutted and renovated. We love our house and its character, but it’s poky and I want a proper art room!
Do you incorporate vintage or upcycled pieces in your home?
We are in the process of extending on to the back of the house so that we can have some have some open plan living as well as keep the original foundations of the house. There are certainly touches of my upcycling fondness around the house and I enjoy bright colours with vintage touches. I have many old suitcases that my grandmother collects for me, old doors from my husbands childhood farm and a meat safe we found in the cellar when we bought the house that my husband has now done up.
What is your background outside of art?
I have always been a country girl, but traveled to Adelaide to further my study where I eventually got a degree in nursing and midwifery (with lots of ups and downs along the way). I then met a country boy and moved back to his hometown and I continued to nurse until I had my two boys. We are financially lucky enough that I don’t have to go back to work at this stage and so for now I will concentrate my energies on my family, my art and myself and see where things take me!
You can see more and purchase Jess’s work on etsy and Instagram @_jesscrawford_
Helen xx
