The art of mixed-media with Elle Pervez
It’s easy to see the love this artist has for the Australian outback – sometimes pieces of the land even make their way into the stunning mixed-media works.
How did you get started as an artist? Were you always creative growing up?
My mum is an artist and I would say that started me on a creative journey. I especially have vivid memories of painting birds as a kid when we lived in a remote community in the Northern Territory – my grandma kept one of the budgies on her wall for years and years, so it was always a cute reminder of pursuing something creative. I have painted all my life, though for the most part pursued it as a hobby until a few years ago when I started sharing my art online and it all cascaded from there. Now I also promote my mum’s artworks on my website – it’s been lovely being able to share our journey.
What do you love about creativity?
I find it a great outlet, not just to grow in my creative practice, but also for stress relief, and as an activity that I can enjoy with my daughter. I find hours can easily tick by as if they were minutes when I am painting, and it leaves me feeling refreshed and ready to tackle any other tasks coming my way. I have also found it also a great way to connect with people, which has been fun! I am a definite homebody and being able to connect and share my art through social media is such a joy and perfect for me.
“But I like to remind myself that there are so many people out in the world, and so many different tastes and there will always be people who love what you do and those who don’t, and that is absolutely okay because that’s the great thing about art.”
What challenges have you faced as an artist? Are there challenges you feel all artists face today?
I find it difficult to continually put myself ‘out there’, I guess. I think any small business owner would know the struggle of trying to balance everything (admin, financial records, ordering materials, planning, social media, website updates – the list could go on!), and then add networking and reaching out to potential stockists etc. – it can be very time-consuming! I also definitely get the dreaded imposter syndrome sneaking up on me time and time again. It is hard not to compare your art to other amazing works out there… but I like to remind myself that there are so many people out in the world, and so many different tastes and there will always be people who love what you do and those who don’t, and that is absolutely okay because that’s the great thing about art – there is something for every taste, and you just have to find and connect with those who love your style and approach.
How does each piece come to life? How do you know when each piece is ‘finished’?
It sounds silly, but when you know, you know. They just feel finished, I guess. But maybe that’s because I paint intuitively for the most part, so I am just feeling my way through the entire process, and that’s also how I determine when they are finished.
I do sometimes start with a photo, but also just as often start with an idea in my head. I like referring to photos when it comes to the mountain line – I think getting this right really grounds a painting to a real location. For my collection ‘Golden Hour’, I referred to photos a lot. This was inspired by a trip to Harts Range to visit my mum, so I made sure to take lots of photos and get my hands into the beautiful red earth. My daughter went with me too, and we all enjoyed walks at sunrise, finding gemstones and enjoying the desert landscape together.
You’ve used some of those gemstones in your work?
The gemstones were fun! My mum lives at Harts Range and you can fossick for all kinds of gemstones up there. Quartz, garnets and amethyst are particularly easy to find, so they were what I brought home for the most part, and started adding to my artwork. I love that I can paint a scene from the outback and include a piece of the land on it for that extra connection to place. I have a lot remaining so they will definitely be used in upcoming works.
One of my favourite things to add to a painting is gold – I am a little obsessed! I even made a simple video for people to follow if they’d like to give it a go too. It really adds a lovely magic to a painting!
“I love that I can paint a scene from the outback and include a piece of the land on it for that extra connection to place.”
Is much of mix-media art about experimentation?
Definitely! I read Kate Pittas saying once to just try everything and not to stick to the rules, and I really loved that. Like if something goes ‘wrong’, did it really? Maybe the unexpected effect is actually quite cool and perfect for your work!
I often get asked if I varnish my art and the answer is no. This is largely due to my artwork being mixed media, and I really don’t think I could find one that would complement every media on my canvas. I also quite like the different textures and sheens that an unvarnished canvas has, and I don’t want it to look uniform. I say this because I think a lot of new artists think they need to stick to the rules for things like this, and I don’t think you do at all. You will find your people!
Tell me more about what inspires your work. Is there a location in Australia that you’d love to explore further to introduce it to your art?
I am heavily influenced by the landscape, particularly outback Australia. As a kid, I grew up between a farm in NSW and remote communities in the NT (my mum is a teacher, and she has often worked in remote parts of Australia). I love all facets of the Australian bush, but I have to say it’s the desert that really speaks to me and my art practice. I love going up to Alice Springs and getting re-inspired all over again.
And what about further afield, outside of Australia?
Recently I went to Pakistan with my family, and hoped to see the deserts there – we didn’t get to on that visit, but hopefully next time I will get to see it all. It is a beautiful country and I released a collection inspired by our trip, ‘Patterns + Places’. It was a lot of fun exploring new shapes and tapestries. I think Mexico would be a great inspiration to me too, and I would love to get there one day. But for the most part it is, and no doubt always will be, the Australian landscape.
What else inspires your pieces?
I would say materials often inspire my work, too – I painted a Moroccan-inspired work once simply because I enjoyed the effect of sand in paint and it made me think of that beautiful country and the textures of the buildings.
What’s your advice for those wanting to dabble in mixed-media work?
Just start! Experiment with anything that speaks to you, and give yourself permission to get it ‘wrong’, because it might just turn out right.
I love that you often paint with your four-year-old. What advice do you have for others wanting to involve their children in the process?
Prepare for a lot of clean-up… I love that she loves painting with me, and she’s definitely got herself a creative spark. Kids paint with such freedom and I already love her art and hang them up around the home. But! The paint gets everywhere and you have to be prepared for that. Let’s just say she mostly has a bath after painting because of how prolific she is in painting herself as well as the paper.
And what about advice for juggling parenthood and creativity?
Probably, I am in need of finding advice to help me instead! I don’t think I do a good job of this, particularly because I also juggle part-time work and I often feel time-poor. I will say giving your kids freedom to be creative and avenues to pursue it is really magic. I love seeing how proud my daughter is of her own work, it’s really sweet.
I guess if I had any advice just on my own experience and season of life, it would be to be gentle on yourself, and don’t take on more than you can. I had to pay attention to the latter after feeling a bit burnt out and feeling like this was having a negative impact and contributed to me feeling like I couldn’t do anything effectively because I was trying to do too many things. As I say to my daughter, “mummy is not an octopus!” I want to be able to devote more of myself to my family and trying to achieve ‘everything’ had to stop. I had to give myself permission to step back and recognise what I needed and be okay with that.
“I guess if I had any advice just on my own experience and season of life, it would be to be gentle on yourself, and don’t take on more than you can.”
Do you have any mentors in the art space?
I love landscape artists the most – Kate Pittas has been a big one for me. I love how she captures the Australian bush and she is an absolute queen when it comes to colour.
What’s next for you?
I have a solo exhibition in January that I am looking forward to – it feels far away but I am sure it will be right around the corner in no time! I also currently have a few works as part of a group exhibition in a lovely shop in Mudgee, Good Day Lifestyle Co. If you are in the area I hope you check out Emma’s beautiful shop.
I am also keen to pursue more products inspired by art, so keep your eye peeled for those as they pop up. Currently I have tea towels with art printed on them, but I am definitely keen to explore more in this space.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you for having me! I am excited to be part of your community of makers!
Melbourne, Australia
