Art Crush of the Week: Belinda Kemp

Hello and welcome to another Art Crush of the Week, where each Wednesday I become positively smitten on the work of a fellow artist. This week I'm talking with Belinda Kemp, aka Gretchen Mist, whose paintings I find to be mysterious, atmospheric, and minimal. And just beautiful.

Hi Belinda! Please tell everyone at Edison Rex a little bit about yourself.

I live in Melbourne, Australia with my husband and two little boys.
I'm a creature of habit! I love my coffee. I work a lot. I love aquas and greens. And I love to swim.

How long have you been working as an artist, and what’s your career been like? Have you always been doing art or did it sort of sneak up on you at a certain point? How did you develop your particular style?

I've been making art for 7 years. I built a 'career' {pre-kids} out of really not having a career!! I never really liked the jobs I was doing and always had the desire to make something of my creative life. The option of not being able to return to my job after having our first baby was a blessing in disguise! It really allowed me to focus on painting and making art.

My style has developed on its own just through working and trying new things.

I read that you are self taught. SO many of my favorite artists are self taught. Personally, I’ve had not a lot of formal training, so I find self-taught artists to be an inspiration at the same time I wish for more technical training.  Do you feel that being self-taught is a strength for you, a difficulty, or both, and how?

I guess it's a bit of both! On one hand I drive myself crazy when I see work that I love, just wondering and trying to figure out exactly how it was made. On the other hand not really knowing the technical stuff and working anyway helps with making discoveries about what feels right for me. I seem to accidentally figure things out by doing!

I like to learn new techniques in small doses, otherwise it' becomes too much of an upheaval! The best way to learn, I've found, is watching others work ~ it's so great when artists make and share videos of themselves working.

You’re the mama of two young boys and a working artist--what’s the interplay of those two roles like for you? How do you find your day to day balance?

I really try to find the balance!! And I try to separate the two roles but it's hard to switch off from the work, especially as I work from home. The family holiday that we recently had was great for snapping out of my work mode and really enjoying time with the kids. Organising time and activities away from home helps.

What current projects are you working on? What are your big plans for future projects?

I'm working on my paintings and drawings along with my fabric designs and patterns. I really hope to build up my pattern collection in the future. The more I make, the more I want to make, so having a bit more time would be ideal.

Your dream life, five years from now?

I hope to be working away on lots of fun and exciting projects while the kids are at school. I'd also love to travel as a family.

What are your favorite creative things to do when you’re not drawing or painting?

I love crochet and knitting!

Who are your artistic heroes?

Brandi Strickland, Leah Giberson, Camilla Engman, Kat McLeod

Any advice for aspiring artists?

Follow your instincts and make what you love! Making connections with other artists is priceless.

Please take a moment to visit Belinda's website, read her blog, or visit her shop!

Thank you, Belinda, for doing this lovely interview with me!

*all artwork in this post by Belinda Kemp*

Comments

[lamina @ do a bit]

Great interview about a wonderful artist!
I love Belinda's work :)

[Janelle Lile]

this was a wonderful interview...very thoughtful questions! and Belinda's work is just exquisite...love learning more about her process. :)

[Trace Meek]

This is amazing work! Belated congrats on your anniversary, Maeg. And glad that you keep rockin' with this blog and with your studio time.

[Elisabeth Andrée]

Really like to read this interview and I love Belinda's work!