ALLISON TAPLIN

TELL US A BIT ABOUT HOW A DAY MIGHT LOOK FOR YOU AS AN ARTIST. WHERE ARE YOU BASED AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DO IN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE? TELL US ABOUT YOUR MORNING RITUALS, YOUR CUP OF TEA/COFFEE, PLANTS ECT.

My day typically starts early with a good coffee (sometimes two!) and usually ends with some painting either in oils or watercolour after work. Some of my work days are quite long and intense and I typically fall asleep on the couch instead of painting, but on the days that I paint, I love to paint on paper; either in one of my handmade paper sketchbooks or on separate paper – khadi paper and local handmade papers made from recycled materials are a favourite. I love the rough texture and deckled edges of a handmade paper and love the unpredictable results when the paint meets the paper.

 

HOW DID YOU START YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE AND WHY?

I started painting after my son died a few years ago, I was feeling so down and so lost and needed something positive to do. I started dabbling in watercolour painting and found it so soothing and in a very real way it bought me back to the world. It forced me to find beauty again and to connect with the world in a different way by noticing all the little details in nature, the clouds, the colours in foliage, the sky and the shapes and colours in the landscape.

 

HAVE YOU GOT A STUDIO/CREATIVE WORKPLACE? TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHERE YOU CREATE AND SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANT THINGS THAT SUPPORT AND INSPIRE YOUR PRACTICE.

I am in the process of designing a backyard studio for our home in Macedon, but I currently paint in my son’s old bedroom. It has the luxury of allowing me to feel connected to him – and being inside so it’s warm, but it also has carpet so I need to be careful not to spill paint on it!

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE IDEAS THAT YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR WORK AND THE MEDIUMS THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO WORK WITH?

I love to paint in oils, I love the creaminess and the way they blend and the versatility of creating a texture with a palette knife (so much fun!) or using a big round brush to create soft clouds and blurred grasses. I also love to dabble in watercolours. I find them so freeing and flowy. I love the way they create their own shapes and mix together to create unpredictable landscapes and colours – just like in nature, I love the surprise of not quite being in control and not knowing exactly how it will turn out.

 

IN AN INCREASINGLY DIGITIZED WORLD, HOW IMPORTANT IS YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE? AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU CONSIDER WHEN MARKETING YOUR WORK?

I am a bit slack about all that. I have created a website – littleleifstudio.com – and try to keep that updated with available pieces and upcoming exhibitions. I spend a lot of time (probably too much!) on Instagram. I love the connections made on there and the sense of community with other artists and landscape lovers. I am grateful to be part of the Brunswick Street Gallery Stockroom and love that people from anywhere, including people in lockdown, can still access affordable art through online formats.

LET US KNOW ABOUT ANY CURRENT/FUTURE PROJECTS – HAVE YOU GOT ANYTHING PLANNED IN THE NEAR FUTURE? 

I love being part of group exhibitions and community shows – such a great energy when so many people are involved. I love especially being able to contribute to raising money for a charity organisation and regularly donate proceeds of any earnings from painting.

I’m looking forward to continuing to be part of local community events and the gallery exhibitions in the future. For now, during lockdown, it’s gratifying to be part of the gallery’s Stockroom and the online community. I’m currently planning a series of oil paintings on paper which will be available via Instagram and my website and will raise money for various charities.