Although her portraits are based on real women, these paintings are actually of fictional stories from Anne’s imagination. Anne’s work captures a moment, from a real-life model, and interprets the space and environment surrounding them. With a degree in architectural design, Anne is often inspired by textures, geographical shapes and patterns discovered during her architectural study.

Recently, Anne collaborated with photographer Kelly Hammond and make-up artist Amy Hope to create scenes and compositions Symbiosis. They spent a day in the fields working together and feeding off each other’s creative thoughts. Anne describes that she loves seeing how they each creatively interpreted the day together.

Follow Anne’s artwork on her blog, and contact 19 Karen for art or sales enquiries.

Anne Smerdon – Symbiosis

Opening Night: Saturday 18th February 6–8pm
Exhibition: 18 February – 17 March 2012

Celebrate the opening of three solo shows – Anne Smerdon, French artist Frederic Truteau and Melbourne artist Richard Denny.

19 Karen Contemporary Artspace
19 Karen Avenue
Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast
(07) 5554 5019

How have you got to where you are today?

I don’t think there’s really a “start” to anyone’s art or creativity. It is always there. I always drew and I always drew girls and animals. I guess that on a professional level it started when I submitted some works to a gallery. When they responded with interest and thought they were good – that was really nice. I never thought I could ever make a profession out of art.

In terms of my background, I spent countless hours on my Nana’s 400 acre river-bound property in Tiaro, Queensland. It still remains one of my favourite places in the world and I feel that the richness of the experiences I had there have shaped my experience with, and understanding of the natural world – especially in terms of the relationship and co-existence between human, plant and animal.

I had such a fearless view of the natural world. I always walked around the farm in my Nana’s oversized gum boots, believing the animals could understand me and I could understand them. I had this idealistic view that we could communicate with animals if we just tried hard enough and I always pretended I had this special role as communicator to the animals.

I never thought a horse would kick or a snake would bite. Yet despite the idealistic view, growing up in that farm environment also gave me realistic view of life and death – there was always a favourite animal dying and another being born.

In a few words, describe yourself…

That is really hard! Shy and reserved at times yet outgoing and confident at other times. I’m always moving the furniture around at home – I’m never quite content in my environment. I hate being indoors. I adore birds and horses and always have. I’m a terrible swimmer.

What are you spending your time on at the moment?

Now that I’ve just completed the works for my solo show I am working on setting up some compositions for a new series of girls and horses. I have loved, leased and ridden horses for most of my life and I get depressed if I am not around them…so perhaps this is just an excuse for me to organise a photo shoot and some field research so I can be around real horses!

In the past, I have always shied away from painting horses as they are such magnificent creatures I really think it is impossible to truly capture their magnificence. I guess now that I am not around them I feel the need to paint them so I can get as close to a real-life horse as possible.

I am always on the lookout for interesting faces and beautiful girls to paint.

Do you have a ritual for getting creative mindset or creative process?

I like to go for a run or a swim in the ocean first thing in the morning – there’s something about being outside in the fresh air and amongst the garden that helps me to empty my headspace and clear my thoughts. It really helps if I do that before I start creating.

Then during the creative process I have to be listening to music – something that suits the piece that I am working on. At the moment I am finding a connection with Kate Bush and Bjork. I also find Sufjan Stevens, Fleetwood Mac, The Whitest Boy Alive and Jimmy Henderix really good to listen to while painting.

I try and have a very organised, methodical approach to my work. I like to dedicate the whole day to art, treating it like any other 9 – 5 job. Although, it’s always hard when it’s a nice day outside and I try and force myself to paint – I feel like I am missing the day and would rather be outside playing in the sunshine.

Sometimes I might just not be in the mood for painting – in which case I try and spend the day researching and meditating on the art to be created. And then for something completely different, I often work best at night and will work right through the night because I can’t stop painting – so I guess you could say it just depends on my mood at the time.

What inspires you?

The natural and distinct beauty of each of the models I paint is always a key starting point in terms of inspiration.

It often starts when I catch a glimpse of an interesting girl in the street or when I am out and about and I just think “I have to paint this girl!” Often what they are wearing, the way they walk etc all has an influence on how I cast them into a story and create a character from their look.

I look at them aesthetically and then my mind seems to start wandering with what they would be like if they grew up in the wild, like a tale from the Jungle Book or Blue Lagoon. And then I think of the animals and their characters (generally based on birds and animals I have met, tales of people’s pet antics, etc) and work them into the story.

Also, with my architectural background I find a lot of ideas while working on architectural projects, looking at details, aerial photos of sites etc. In Symbiosis I find a lot of references to architectural bricks and Turkish tiling has made its way into my works.

What are you most proud of?

In terms of art I don’t think I’ve really reached that proud moment yet. It’s all still a learning curve.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I really wanted to be a horse. Then I saw The Little Mermaid and I really wanted to be a mermaid. Once I grew a little older and had a little more realistic view of the world, I wanted to be an equine or avian vet. I wanted to be that for so long, but once I got to uni I was talked out of it.

First year out of school I studied law, then environmental science. Then somewhere along the lines I decided on being an architect. I never wanted to be an artist – I never thought you could make a profession of it – but I guess if it’s something that you enjoy doing, you will find yourself doing it no matter what path you take.

See more of Anne Smerdon’s artwork and read more artist interviews.