Nicole Esplin
focusinterview.
and style is more conceptual, painting large scale images of women’s and girls’ faces things that at the time resonated with me. I have a series of birds in development. I like doing portraits. I’m going back to core principles, primarily colour, texture and shape, which I manipulate on a surface in a creative way to communicate how I feel. I think the subject is important; however, you can paint a mundane and seemingly meaningless subject and infuse it with significance and life energy by transference and focused intention. My style has been influenced by other contemporary artists, the digital world and how fast art can be translated, manipulated and visually presented. I want to convey a message; I want the art to say something big, either internally or visually. I work in watercolour, acrylic and oil. I layer them all, or use singularly. I’m recently interested in collage, using what is available to create art that is not precious. Colours and tactile things layered resonate with me, and they lead me through to a practice. You’re currently holding some workshops locally. When and where will these be held, and what skills/lessons are you hoping to share with students? I don’t teach art techniques in my art classes, though that comes through. I am a technically proficient artist able to draw with
I’m recently interested in , using what is ge lla co te art available to crea . us io ec pr t that is no things ile ct ta d an s ur Colo ith w te layered resona ad me me, and they le tice.” ac pr a to h throug
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precision and a high level of technical accuracy. I use an inner dialogue awareness process where creative practices can be used as a vehicle for change, growth, transformation. It’s unique to each individual; I customise technical aspects and build on that over time. It is revealed through a process of personal inquiry. My students share and teach me as much as I convey and share with them. I believe everyone is an artist. I always approach this with beginners in mind. My sessions with The Living Room, Wauchope are ongoing ‘til 14th Dec. We are starting with “Vanitas”; from there, it will evolve. I like to gauge the class and introduce topics with the class energy in mind. I often don’t know what I’m going to do in the class until the moment it starts. I am wildly powerful like that. We start with colour, glass and expressive paint and large canvases. You’re also currently involved with a very special project, sharing your artistic passion with inmates at the Kempsey Correctional Facility. Explain how this program works ... and how rewarding have you found this to program to be for you personally?
The art classes I teach with prisoners in Kempsey Correctional Facility are primarily a team effort. I work with a great group of dedicated teachers. The course I teach is a certificate in Visual Arts through AEVTI. The artroom is a culturally diverse place of contemplation and reflection; the participants go through a series of formal and informal assessment processes, demonstrating technical skills and gaining a qualification to take into the community on release. In many cases they use required skills and knowledge they did not know they had, and this gives them a clear context to put their sense of self into enabling them to grow and emerge as fully realised members of a community. As well as artistic and graphic industry skills, they practice and demonstrate project management skills, collaboration, consultation, proposal writing, and critical analysis. I’m doing en plein air, portraiture; I have a future plan to include more industry based projects like a clothing range and artifacts. I learn a lot from the Indigenous inmates, whose identity and connection to country is strong, despite the obvious barriers/walls. I’m collaborating on a mural project with Koori
inmates. I believe you’re also an interior designer. Tell us more - have you established a business locally? The Importance of Home … I have been around design and architecture for several years, being a partner in an architecture business on the Central Coast. I co designed and built our home. Using sustainable local products, we built a multi generational site specific home. It is not enough to just use environmentally friendly products; the building has to be standing for 50 years or more to gain environmental credentials and to add value. I’m exploring a new frontier in Port Macquarie and its surrounds. I like the concept of my creativity flowing into homewares and interior design. I am exploring digitally printing my artwork onto interior products such as fabrics and unique wall art. My business is evolving; stay tuned for official an launch date from a new residence in Port Mac in the New Year. Where can people contact you? I have a website in development, where I post workshop info, and I also have an online gallery: www.wix.com/nic141/nicoleesplin I can be contacted online through my Facebook page, or come see me Sundays at The Living Room, Wauchope. Thanks Nicole. Interview by Jo Atkins. greater port macquarie focus.
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