CAITLIN SHEARER WE CHAT TO AUSTRALIAN ARTIST CAITLIN SHEARER ABOUT HER WORK, INSPIRATIONS AND WHAT SHE’S WORKING ON NEXT. Who are you and what do you do? I’m a girl who is happiest with a paintbrush in her hand, i’m also a young illustrator and an aficionado of black dresses and the golden age of hollywood. What are you working on at the moment? An EP cover for a band i’ve been in love with since i was sixteen years old, a christmas portrait for a family in America and some personal paintings chronicling the romantic torture i’ve been through these last few months. What’s your favourite thing you’ve ever created? There’s a painting called ‘the Siren’ that for some unknown reason i am always extremely fond of. It’s of a tragic mermaid with hooded eyes and swirling hair. She lives above the bed that i left behind at my parents house. What does “being creative” mean to you? Making things with your hands and letting your heart guide these decisions. Cooking, dancing, photographic, painting, the way you approach life - if it’s done in a heartfelt way. What inspires you? Beirut, David Lynch, alienation, autobiographical comics, my mothers garden, old timey glamour, fetishes, overindulgence. Favourite book and film? Eloise by Kay Thompson and Hilary Knight, or the Bell Jar by
Sylvia Plath, and then for films - it’s so hard to decide…. Mermaids, Fire walk with me, to wong foo, the wizard of oz, jawbreaker, the virgin suicides, scott pilgrim, funny face, stage door, picnic at hanging rock, the rocky horror picture show, the bliss of mrs blosso. Last year you created some amazing textile illustrations for designer Karla Špetic - how did that came about? Well, i was a big fan of Karla’s work and just sent her an email one day saying that i’d love to work with her. I think at the time she was searching for prints for her collection, and so i suppose it was just perfect timing and good luck that karla liked my work in return. Do you have any creative rituals or routines? I need sunlight through a window, some music, and a bottle of water. I like to be entirely alone to work. What are you doing when you’re not making your art? I nanny two days a week so i can pay the rent, i cook dinner for my friends, i go treasure hunting at markets, i watch local bands and drink gin and tonics, i dance to kate bush in the kitchen at 2am and make our neighbours call the police, i read biographies about old hollywood movie stars, i stand in line at the post office, i lie in bed watching movies. I try to enjoy myself. Do you have any tips or inspiring words for others? Work hard and with your heart, be honest, continue to nurture your passions, become obsessed. Favourite blog? The Loved one by Hannah Metz. To see more of Caitlin’s work head to www.caitlinquiet.blogspot.com