Interview with artist Maryanne Oliver
I am still amazed at the awesome talent that’s been hiding here in Brisbane! Today’s feature is with local artist Maryanne Oliver and her gorgeous girls. They are bright and colourful – and have fantastic eyelashes!
Maryanne’s an active artist and contributor to the Brisbane art scene. She’s contantly planning and working towards group or solo shows. For 2011, she was apart of three exhibitions: The World Can Wait in Toowoomba (solo), Siamese Dream in Los Angeles (group), and Dream Travels at Bleeding Heart Gallery here in Brisbane (group). The later event was an exciting collaboration with graffiti artists Sofles and Treazy, and fellow artist Yuin Huz.
Last year Maryanne spent some time in New York where she collaborated with Destroy & Rebuild NYC artist Avone to create one-off pieces for an exhibition at The Fort Arts Hub. Through these types of projects, Maryanne’s now gaining an international reputation for her work.
Maryanne’s now painting and planning for upcoming shows in 2012. Visit Maryanne’s website to see more of her beautiful girls.
How have you got to where you are today?
I’ve been painting for as long as I can remember. I always knew what I wanted to do with my art and have loved creating my “mairzi girls”.
I hope I can bring happiness and hopefully inspire people to follow their own dreams, believe in who they are, and their value in this life.
It’s been a very beautiful, colourful and exhausting journey to now. And I love exploring every new direction in order to continue my own growth as an artist.
In a few words, describe yourself…
Happy, stubborn and protective.
What are you spending your time on at the moment?
Right now there seems to be a thousand, billion things I am trying to catch up on.
However, I am working on a “mairzi girl” that is for a tattoo. I’m very excited about seeing her on the flesh!
Do you have a ritual for getting into the creative mindset? Or a creative process?
My mind and I just don’t stop! So I don’t really have a ritual – and I don’t need much motivation to keep creating.
What or who inspires you?
I am always inspired by happy, positive, everyday people. I’m inspired by dreamers, lovers and optimists. And of course, how could I forget our beautiful country in all its colour!
What are you most proud of?
Being a part of the creative journey and change that is happening right here! I have been lucky to collaborate with some of Brisbane’s finest artists such as Yuin Huz, Sofles, Treazy (Dream Travels Show).
There is such a beautiful creative family here in Brisbane and it’s all about sharing the love for the art and each other, and not vicious competition or ego. We each run our own race and respect this.
Our amazing city and country is radiating with SO much talent — from artists, photographers, musicians, writers, poets, actors, performers and designers… it is everywhere in full colour and flying around us every day.
I am extremely proud to be a small part in this colourful palette that is being showcased to the world — representing all the amazingness happening right here!
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A good person. A happy person. An artist.
