If there’s one thing we know for sure about Adelaide, it’s that it’s absolutely full of amazingly talented and creative people. You only have to wander around one of the myriad of local artisan markets to see that we have a wealth of creatives at our doorstep, crafting beautiful and inspiring wares and brightening up spaces both in our homes and our local streetscapes.
Adelaide artists
We sat down with four Adelaide creatives, who also happen to be mums, to talk about discovering their talent, what they’re inspired by, and how they get their kiddos involved in art!
ADELAIDE STREET ARTIST LEAH GRANT
How did you discover your talent for and love of art? You’re also a teacher… can we assume…art teacher?
Yes! I’m an art teacher and absolutely passionate about CREATIVITY, and I squeeze as much painting and parenting in as I possibly can. Life is busy and hectic, but I love the variety in both teaching and painting large-scale murals. I was always making something growing up, trying new ideas and I would hold on to everything, like wrapping paper, and make collages and all sorts of gifts for people. There are a number of family, friends and teachers that encouraged me and it’s because of them that I kept on making and creating.
What got you into street art?
My high school art teacher ignited my passion for Street Art and I was eager to try it out, but didn’t want to do anything illegal. I experimented with aerosol in my backyard, I taught a Street Art unit with Year 9’s, but I still hadn’t painted a mural myself! It wasn’t until about 6 years ago I painted my first public art mural here in Adelaide. What led me to these opportunities was an eagerness to learn and experiment. I applied for a grant with the Adelaide City Council that I was totally not skilled for, but I did get to the final interview stage and that meant I was able to make some contacts with council.
What’s your fav piece that you’ve done around Adelaide?
This always changes when I paint something new! Currently I love the piece I just completed in North Adelaide for a resident’s courtyard. It was a 5m high, plain brick wall and is now totally transformed and the design is inspired by the garden. This was such a fun and creative project and I’m really happy with the new risks I took painting more detailed layers, higher and bolder then I’ve done before.
Tell us about your work in schools and school holiday workshops!
I love sharing what I know and providing opportunities for others to grow their creativity. I’ve recently started running children workshops that are all about creating unique pieces and experimenting with different materials and techniques. I’ve designed these workshops to be fun, challenging and spark big ideas so that everyone (including me!) walk away inspired. For the recent workshops I ran in Prospect we focused on colour, pattern and plants. I loved doing this so much I plan to run more over summer and maybe even some adult classes and aerosol classes too! I’ve had so many people help me get to where I am because they openly shared their techniques with me, I want to do the same for others.
ADELAIDE ARTIST JESSICA THOMPSON
How did you discover your talent for and love of art?
I had a mad love for drawing as a tiny child and I always seemed to have a pencil in my hand.. it’s a bit like that now, too! Art is such a big part of my life and it’s an amazing privilege to be able to explore creativity and put things out into the world. I love living life as creatively as possible, whether that’s through gardening, the house or making things with my children.
What inspired you to paint pots? They’re so colourful and HAPPY! What other types of things do you create?
Oh, thank you! I am so glad my pots make people feel happy! They actually started as wonky little things for my friends & family for Christmas many years ago. I still remember making the first one and enjoying the process so much. Plants & painting are 2 of my greatest loves so putting them together felt right. Aside from painting pots, I’ve been lucky enough to collaborate with amazing Adelaide creatives like Kitty Came Home and Rhicreative in the last year. I’ve recently become mad for painting walls and windows which feels like such an exciting new journey. I’ve been able to spend time in amazing places run by wonderful people doing this and I’m currently working on a giant kindy mural which I am seriously loving. Words are a big part of my art, so I create designs for cards and wall hangings when I can…and I have a not so secret dream of creating a little book someday.
Do you have a favourite piece you’ve created?
I think the words are always going to be the part of my work that I have the biggest soft spot for. The thing that made me love creating my pots in the first place was being lucky enough to experience when someone would find particular words that resonated with them in some way. If my art can bring someone even the tiniest sliver of comfort or joy or they feel less alone when they read the pot or print nestled on their windowsill, I feel like I couldn’t ask for more.
How do you involve your kids in your art?
When Alfie & Mabel were bubs, I was so intrigued to see whether they would be interested in art and wanted to let them find their own way toward what they love to spend time doing… turns out they’re both super creative which is pretty amazing. I’m realising more and more that they love to have a look at what I’ve been up to in the studio and I try to have paint easily accessible to them all the time so they can do something when the mood strikes.
ADELAIDE WEAVER Caroline Gliddon
How did you discover your talent for and love of art?
For as long as I can remember I have loved doing creative things and being around all things creative. I honestly think that my creative skill is due more to practise than natural talent and I practise because I love it!
How did you learn to weave? And what do you love about it?
One birthday, just after my second daughter was born, my husband gifted me a voucher for a one-on-one weaving lesson with local textile artist, Megan Walsh-Cheek. I had been interested in weaving for a while but really had no idea how it was done. It was so nice to have that afternoon doing something just for me and straight away I knew that this was a craft I would continue with. I’ve tried so many different things over the years but never really stuck with anything for more than a few months. Ever since that lesson I have always had a weaving on the loom. I find it relaxing, rewarding and a great creative outlet away from my computer. I’m a Graphic Designer so I spend way too much time looking at a screen!
What inspires you?
So many things! I love the way different colour combinations can make you feel, most of my weavings start with me picking out particular colours. I also love patterns and geometric shapes. And I am of course inspired by other weavers and artists that I follow on social media.
Do you have a favourite piece you’ve created?
I’ve recently started making my own circular ceramic hoops which I weave onto. They are all hand built so each one is unique and the weavings just evolve as I go. Another favourite is one I made for my brother and his wife as a housewarming gift, that one was actually inspired by a floor rug that I saw a photo of and loved.
I noticed you sometimes create weavings based on drawings your daughter has done, can you tell us a bit about this!? These must end up some of your fave pieces!
When I first started weaving my eldest daughter would be so excited to see my weavings grow overnight. Every morning she would look at my loom and comment on the section of weaving I had done after she went to bed the night before. I have a little book that I sketch up ideas for weavings in and one day she found it and started adding her own ideas to it. Most of her designs also had a family or friends name scribbled next to it. I started making and gifting them to the people she had designed them for. It was such a great way to practise technique and a really sweet gift from the two of us.
ADELAIDE PAINTER JESS HAYTON
How did you discover your talent and love for art?
I think from an early age I always loved drawing and really enjoyed art in high school. Life was busy after that, working full time and other priorities! It wasn’t really until I had my daughter and went on maternity leave that I started painting again.
What inspires you?
So many things! Ive always loved faces and portraiture, but recently I’m finding most of my work is nature inspired. Also, there are so many incredible artists on social media, just scrolling through my insta feed motivates me to get out the paints!
What’s your creative process like?
To be honest, a dog’s breakfast! I have two small kids at home, so the process is basically to steal a few minutes here and there to add to a painting, or plan for a longer stretch when the grandparents come to the rescue.
What’s your favourite medium to work with?
I love painting with oils.
Do you have a favourite piece you have created?
Probably my tiny little Frida Kahlo painting.
You have done some kids portraiture, is it challenging recreating the likeness of a child?
I think all portraits are a challenge, as every face is so different. I think my portrait painting style is very illustrative, so suits little faces and makes it easier to capture their likeness.
How do you involve your kids in your art?
They are pretty much a part of the process from beginning to end as I don’t have a studio so I paint in our kitchen / family room. My 5 year old daughter is a harsh critic and I know I can always count on her honesty! My son is teaching me how to draw construction and emergency vehicles.
