Rosalie de Moel

Rosalie de Moel is a digital illustrator hailing from Schipluiden, a small town near Rotterdam and The Hague in The Netherlands. Arriving in Esperance in March, Rosalie and her partner quickly fell in love with the town and decided to stay for a little longer than planned. Rosalie’s works, which she sells at the local markets, are vibrant depictions of her global travels, incorporating modern calligraphy and bold colours to reflect her many journeys.

How did you fall into the world of illustration and calligraphy?

My mother's creativity played a huge role in sparking my own passion for art. She's a professional calligrapher herself and introduced me to calligraphy. My journey into illustration started when I co-founded a company in The Netherlands. We introduced a combination of children's books and augmented reality to the market. I took on the task of creating the illustrations for the book, which was my first foray into the field of illustration.

Where do you find inspiration for your pieces?

I love exploring new places and experiencing different cultures, and I find that this often provides a wealth of inspiration. Whether it's a stunning landscape, an architectural feature, or a colour palette, there's always something new and exciting to discover. I find that other people's trips can be a great source of inspiration, too. Seeing the world through someone else's eyes broadens my own perspective and opens new avenues for creative exploration.

Locally, what has the response been to your work?

It has been such a pleasant experience. People here are incredibly friendly, often stopping to have a chat and complimenting my work. Occasionally, I worry that some might not appreciate digital art and dismiss it as not being ‘real’ art. But I hope to prove that it's a valid form of artistic expression.

How did you end up in Esperance?

I quit my job of four years and became a working holiday maker. The main reason for our visit was to join my brother and his girlfriend, who have been living here for a few years. We like it so much we plan on staying for a few months more. I really like Esperance because it has a strong sense of community and focuses on supporting small businesses. It feels like a place that hasn't been overrun by crowds yet. I think in a few years, it will get a lot busier.

Do you express yourself artistically in any other ways?

After arriving here, I quickly realised how much I missed having my art supplies with methe gouache, watercolours, and paper. Those first few days were tough without them, so I decided to purchase watercolour pencils and paper locally. During our road trip through the beautiful southwest, I used these supplies to illustrate some wildflowers I spotted from the passenger seat. When you’re not creating art, what can we find you doing?

Eating cheese and drinking wine is one of my favourite activities. Next to this, I enjoy biking and exploring stuff along the way. Recently, I was riding my bike on the beach with the sun setting before me. It was an awesome experience to have the entire beach to myself!

Lastly, tell us where we can find your work!

On Instagram @rosaliedemoel illustrations , online at www. rosaliedemoel.com , and at the Esperance Growers and Museum Village Markets.

The Waifs Head to Esperance

Western Australian folk rockers The Waifs are headed to Esperance in September as part of a fourmonth national tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their seminal album, Up All Night . With performances spanning from Ballarat to Broome, and everywhere in between, The Waifs will be joined by special guests and great friends along the way, with singer-songwriter Liz Stringer joining the multi-ARIA Award winning band for their Esperance show. Hailing from Albany, the band is a true regional WA success story. Formed in 1992 by sisters Vikki Thorn (harmonica, guitar, vocals) and Donna Simpson (guitar, vocals), as well as Josh Cunningham (guitar, vocals), The Waifs spent a decade travelling Australia, playing in any small town with a pub or hall, with locals willing to listen. In 2002, the band’s breakthrough single ‘London Still’ caught the ears of Triple J, which threw it onto high rotation and paved the way for the success of singles ‘Fisherman’s Daughter’, ‘Lighthouse’, ‘Highway One’, and ultimately the 2003 LP, Up All Night .

The album debuted at number three on the ARIA charts and went on to win four ARIA Awards for Best Blues and Roots Album, Best Independent Album, Engineer of the Year, and Producer of the Year for Chris Thompson. The single ‘London Still’ was voted in at number three in the Triple J Hottest 100, and Up All Night reached double platinum certification. Sold-out international headline tours followed, and The Waifs became the first Australian band to play

Catch The Waifs Live In Esperance

at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. The band toured with Bob Dylan in Australia and the US, and was named in Rolling Stone ’s ‘Moments that Changed the History of Rock and Roll’ story, which cited its independence and mainstream success as a game changer for musicians in the future.

More than 30 years since its inception, The Waifs show no sign of slowing down, returning to the group’s regional WA roots to celebrate success with fans young and old. As well as touring nationally to mark the occasion, the band will release Up All Night on vinyl for the first time ever, with a limited signed edition available as part of a VIP ticket package.

The Waifs will play at the Esperance Civic Centre, joined by special guest Liz Stringer, on Friday 8 September. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.thewaifs.com.