Hi Ruby! Tell us about yourself
Hello - I am a painter and Art Therapist working, living, learning and creating on beautiful Wurundjeri Country in Naarm (Melbourne). I work full time as an Art Therapist in the family violence sector and paint when I can at night and on weekends. Outside of work and art I’m usually busy catching up with friends and family in Melbourne, at the local dog park with my good girl Frida or down the Great Ocean Road in Lorne soaking up the bush and ocean air.
What got you into painting and what’s your biggest inspiration?
I have my family, in particular my sister to thank for getting me into painting. Art was always highly regarded and appreciated in my family. When I was studying art in high school and choosing a medium, my sister suggested painting. I scoffed at her initially and told her I wasn’t any good at painting. She told me to give it a try. Needless to say I did and with a few tips and tricks I learnt over the years from her, teachers and then university lecturers - needless to say I fell in love with the process and never looked back. My biggest inspiration is nature and landscapes. Visiting nature leaves me energised and inspired to create. Even when I try to move my art away from landscapes, it always brings me back to it. There really is nothing else quite like it.
What’s been your favourite project you’ve done so far?
I can’t really say I have a favourite project but my first exhibition ‘Quiet Contemplation’ at Brunswick Street Gallery definitely holds a special place in my heart. Being my first show I had no expectations about what would or wouldn’t sell and I really let my creativity run wild on large canvases and ceramics. I loved the freedom I felt preparing for that show. It was also the first time my art was witnessed by friends and family in a gallery - it was a bit of a dream come true to be honest.
I loved your murals on the windows of Billy Van Creamy, how did that come about and would you do more of it?
Thank you! I absolutely loved painting those windows. I had so much fun. It’s not often I get to paint at that scale and I really enjoyed it. I was lucky enough to receive an email from them asking if I’d like to collaborate on a tote bag and do a window design. I was stoked as I’ve always wanted to get into mural work so this felt like a great way to test the water. I would absolutely love to do more window or mural art!
You’re also an art therapist which is really interesting, what attracted you to that?
I have always been driven by a desire to contribute to my community. I feel a sense of duty to use my privilege to help others. When I first learnt about Art Therapy I felt like I had discovered my dream career. I get to use my passion for creative expression to help people heal from trauma, to connect to their sense of self and be a part of a community working toward decolonisation and dismantling systems of oppression and disadvantage. Although I’m older and wiser now and know that there is no such thing as dream job - I do still feel extremely lucky to have found Art Therapy, it’s become a large part of my identity and sense of purpose in life.
Do they inspire each other?
Absolutely! Some of my best paintings are intrinsically linked to my Art Therapy practice. It is also a very important element of my self-care. Working in family violence can leave me feeling hopeless and exhausted. Painting brings the energy back into my body and mind, it’s like a warm hug or a mothers embrace. It gives me hope again and really does keep me going. Without my painting practice I’m not sure I could work in trauma recovery and without Art Therapy I don’t know whether painting would be enough. They work in relationship with each other to keep me going.
What is the most rewarding part of your practices?
Showing and selling art work is hugely rewarding. Knowing that your art is valued, that a gallery wants to exhibit your work or that it has touched someone enough for them to use their hard earned income to buy your art is hugely gratifying. It took me a long time to build the confidence to share my work with others - but the process of art being witnessed is extremely validating and rewarding.
What is next for you?
I never really plan out what’s next for my practice, usually I paint and see what the art process tells me to do next. However, I am currently working on some new pieces that I’d like to bring together in an exhibition that centres around waterfalls. I’d also love to collaborate more with other artists, designers and businesses - I love the challenges and rewards of working with others and am keen to do it more!