A Tasmanian artist’s interpretation of the nature around her
After 20 years of focussing on other creative outlets, this Australian artist picked up her late grandma’s paint brushes with an urge to paint abstract – and hasn’t looked back since.
Native Australian birds, flora, and colours of the landscape cover the canvases in Greta’s paint studio.
Living in Hobart, Tasmania, the stay-at-home mum has plenty of inspiration around her. But it was her travels in her twenties that really fuel her pieces today.
“I left Tasmania when I was 17 and met up with my older brother in tropical North Queensland,” says Greta.
“He was travelling and camping at the time. We were short of cash so we got some work picking zucchinis and chillies.”
With a taste for the nomad life, Greta then spent the next 10 years working and travelling around the country, living in a tent or in her van with her dog.
“I did a lot of tree planting, bush revegetation work and fruit picking, and came back home briefly to dive deeper into my love of plants and to study horticulture.”
It’s easy to see how all of this influences Greta’s creative style.
“I’ve always been in awe of colours and have felt a strong connection to the land. Travelling and living on the land further instilled that connection and I feel it is truly a part of me,” she says.
Following in her grandma’s footsteps and stealing moments throughout the day when her two-year-old son Koru was sleeping or happily playing, Greta started to cover her canvases with abstract creations, which have now “evolved into layered botanical pieces with Australian native plants and animals”.
“I couldn’t do it all without my partner and my mum and I am forever grateful for all their help and support.”
Quick questions with Greta…
What does a normal day look like for you?
Different every day! I aim to do an activity with Koru in the mornings. I consciously spend more time outdoors in nature with him rather than indoor play centres. We play at the beach and in our garden a lot. I’m lucky enough to have a beautiful native garden with big gum trees in our backyard for endless inspiration. Now that Koru doesn’t nap in the day, I do most of my painting on the weekend when my partner is home or set him up next to me in the studio – but that never lasts long!
Tell us about your creative space.
I have a beautiful light-filled little cosy studio in our spare room at home overlooking our lovely garden and chooks. I have a huge old wooden desk covered in paints and a big old wooden easel made of Tas oak that I salvaged from my dad’s place. My studio is currently filled with canvases of all sizes, ready for my new collection.
Do you have a favourite painting you’ve created?
Hard question! I think my favourite at the moment is from my new collection ‘follow the sun’. It’s a square canvas full of delicious texture and layers with Australian native flowers, gum leaves and a cheeky galah!
I pride myself on using the finest materials, from the paints I use to the canvas and frames and the archival prints I offer. I am so grateful I can share my love of colour and life experiences through art in different forms. It’s both exciting and fulfilling watching my style develop and grow over time and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for me.
Tasmania, Australia
