Living a Creative Life Constantly Inspired by Nature

When it comes to my more fantasy inspired work, I find joy in creating a tiny slice of a magical world.

I love creating a small world on paper or from clay, and imaging the beings that might inhabit it.

In regard to my nature-centric pieces, it makes me happy to feel like I have captured a piece of the forest.

To see a mossy log with a mushroom growing on it, in my house. That otherwise one would have to hike into the bush to find.

Inspirational Gran

Something that has really shown through in my work in the past couple of years, comes from time spent with my Gran.

My Gran is an author and growing-up was always writing, and reading fairy stories and poetry to us.

At that age it was a known fact that fairies live in toadstool houses.

As an adult my fascination with fungi has leant more into the scientific realm, but they always hold a magical significance because of those stories.

Influencing Artists

Artists like Shirley Barber and Beatrix Potter have heavily influenced my work today.

However, I try not to limit myself to this theme. I also create works inspired my Tasmanian wildlife. As seen in my past entries in the Art Trails Tasmania exhibitions.

I studied zoology at university and often enjoyed practicing scientific illustrations which has impacted the style of my work in this thematic area.

3 Lessons Learnt

1. Make what makes you happy, create the art you want to see. If you focus on making art based purely on what you think will sell, it takes the joy out of creating and that can reflect in your work. Create your art then find your audience.

2. Make “bad” art. This phrase is one I remind myself of constantly as a recovering perfectionist. Although it is a little misleading, as really there is no such thing as bad art, but I guess it really means, practice without worrying about it turning out perfect.

3. Explore different mediums, you never know when you will really click with something.

Favourite Art Experience

One of my favourite art experiences is participating in the annual Game of Shrooms.

This is a world-wide scavenger hunt for mushroom themed artwork.

Artist’s will hide a piece of art in their local area and reveal clues online about where to find it. I have done this twice now and can’t wait for the next one.

About the Artist

Laurinda grew up in Launceston, and lives with her husband, Ben, and dog, Tinkerbell.

She studied a Bachelor of science at the University of Tasmania and currently works in the pet care industry.

Laurinda wants to explore more art mediums and become more involved in exhibitions in the future.

Explore Laurinda’s online shop and be sure to follow Laurinda on Facebook and Instagram.