Wendy Arnold has had a long career in the arts, from studying Fine Arts to working as part of the highly successful fashion label Studibaker Hawk, art & fashion have informed her life. This rich history is evident in the use of textiles, gold leaf and intricately painted patterns in her beautifully presented paintings. The recurring Asian imagery in her work is complemented by demure and semi-concealed female figures.

In this Q&A Wendy tells us a bit more about herself and her practice as an artist.

Enjoy Getting to Know Wendy Arnold …….

When did you first feel the desire to be artistic and realize you had talent?

Can you believe… about five. My first 2 months at preschool were terrifying, and I felt invisible, with my hand me down clothes and bad haircut… until one day I started to copy pictures from “The Story of Ferdinand” and it was instant fame, much to my surprise

Where did you learn your art?

I got a scholarship to study what ever I liked, so I did Fine Art at what is now called Curtin University in Perth.

What inspires you most?

I’d have to say the blinding creativity of nature.

What message are you sending to the viewer of your art?

I am just always in the pursuit of beauty

Describe your studio…

My studio is bigger than my house. The ceilings are 10 meters high, about 10m x 10m. It is so beautiful I tell it how much I love it every night as I leave.

Describe your typical day of creating art…

I start in the morning in my garden, which is about the same size. I often stay there for too long, but it is such a meditation, and good exercise. Then I go to studio… computer stuff. Put Spotify on or a podcast, creativity is funny it has no predictable pattern, it comes and goes. It’s best when I am listening to something to take my immediate brain away

What mediums do you use and why?

I use acrylics because they are versatile and very quick to dry. I miss oils and their sumptuousness but switched over when it became a health risk of sorts, I also use a lot of mixed media, lace, collage and gold leaf.

What are your recent career achievements you feel proud of?

I am really happy that I have joined a cooperative gallery with 11 other artists. I have so far loved the energy it has created. I feel so much more attached to my community.

What are you working on now?

I need to produce one large one medium and two small for Art Gallery on Darling our cooperative gallery in Balmain. Their grand opening is on 8th Feb 2019 so I am excited about that.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love what I do because it is in itself a life style. I love the autonomy and I thank the stars that I can support myself from being creative. I also love the idea that no one can sack me, and I never need to retire. Also it gives me enough time to stop and smell the roses.

Where can you see yourself in 10 years time?

I would like a huge shed in the country and 2 studio/residences butting up against each other. A garden filled with colour and aroma, 2 cats and a dog and maybe some really good cook books because I need to start learning. x