Willy (Wilamina) Russo

Chances are you've read one of the 80 books Andrew McLean has illustrated. Or maybe one of the 15 he and his wife Janet published together. Janet writes the words and Andrew, a painter and drawer, illustrates the pictures. And a lot has changed since their first book came out in 1978, but one thing remains the same, children love a great story. 

Check out www.mcleanpicturebooks.com for all Andrew's work.

Nina Walton draws, paints and creates using needle and thread. It's not weaving, more so painting with thread as Nina puts it. We chat about the timing of life and when we come to things, the limiting nature of labels, the political commentary that accompanies working with thread and how there is beauty and hope in the dissolving of things.

Check out her work at her website www.ninawalton.com or head to her Instagram @ninawaltonart

Bright bold colours. Geometric shapes. You know a Jasmine Mansbridge piece whether you see it on the street or hanging on the wall. The Victorian based artist has a style full of energy and life, inspired by mother nature. 

Check out her work at either www.jasminemansbridge.com or head to her instagram @jasmine_mansbridge.

Nathan Hawkes draws richly coloured works that are loose but also full of detail. They are almost fairytale like in the most beautiful of whimsical images. If they sound intriguing, they are.  Head on over to his instagram @n.a.t.h.a.n.h.a.w.k.e.s and you'll see exactly what I mean.

Nathan joined me from his home in Sydney for this week’s Interview With An Artist.

Petra Pinn is a Sydney based artist who loves teaching her students, loves trawling through op shops, and hates being pigeonholed. 

Her works include all the things she enjoys painting - people, pets, interiors, still lives, landscapes - and sometimes all in one gorgeous piece!

Head to her instagram @petrapinn for a scroll through a colour rich selection of works that are full of life.

Young Archibald Special!

This week we meet two amazing young artists Tillie Moyle, 13 and Thea-Bella Taylor 12, both are finalists in Australia's national portrait prize, the Young Archies.  You can check out Thea's work on her instagram or website - Quirky Critters. 

Sarah Bishop gets on with life. 

Whether it's working on her rural property in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, raising her two children as they move into their teenage years, or drawing into the night with a scotch in hand and love for the madness that is hyper-realistic drawing. Sarah also paints, with her studio muse, the cutest pony you have ever seen, and a world of inspiration right out side her door. 

Head to her Instagram page @sarahbishopartist and you'll see the breadth of her creative expertise.

Joy. Passion. Dedication. They’re all there in Sarah’s story. Also gratitude and a positive outlook for making the most of what life has to offer.

We laughed our way through this week’s interview as we talk about overnight success, sage advice from her dad and the value of community.

Sarah joined me from her property in the Hunter Valley for this week’s Interview With An Artist.

Josh Charadia graduated from a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2017. This year, a mere three years later, he was named a finalist in the Sulman, a prestigious Australian art prize. A proud moment for both Josh and his parents. When Josh was younger he would pester his father to get out his water paints and show Josh how to improve.  

Roller coaster is a a word Josh uses a lot throughout our chat. And it's understandable. The life of any creative is one of great highs and doubt invoking lows. Learning to ride them out and stay on track is a big part of the artists path, and Josh is taking it all in his stride and his paves the way for a bright artistic life.

Check out Josh's Instagram @joshification for his beautiful art and to stay across upcoming exhibitions. 

Josh joined me from his studio in Sydney for this week's Interview With An Artist.