Lucy Prior – Life is Short, Art Long

Lucy Prior

Sydney, Australia

Mediums: lino block, screen printing, etching, mixed media, collage, illustration, painting, ink

Style: whimsical, expressive, feminine fantasy, sensitive

Favorite Quotes:
'There must be quite a few things that a hot bath can't cure, but I don't know many of them.' - Sylvia Plath, 'Gather up all your scattered dreams and build the life you love', 'If nothing else, believe in art'.

Favorite Books: The Wheel of Life, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, 101 Moments of Joy and Inspiration, Meredith Gaston

Favorite Movies: Three Colours Red, Room with a View, Amelie, The Untouchables

 

'Getting Back on the Horse', lino print, mixed media. This is about the journey of loss, grief and getting back into life.

 

I am a print maker, illustrator, writer, mixed media artist  and dreamer originally from Newcastle. I draw my inspiration from personal experiences of love, loss, grief and the human condition. These experiences have given me another dimension on life, its fragility and an empathy towards the human spirit. My work is a sensitive response to experiences common to all. My work is imbued with a sense of better things to come and the joy and pleasure to be found in the every day experience.

Please tell us about your first experience creating.

I grew up in an artistic family. Both my parents are artists and all my siblings are artistic in one way or another, so in this sense, creativity was hard to avoid. My earliest memories of creating are doing art journals during school holidays with mum. I'd collect the every day, write about it and draw it. If I found a magpie feather on our explorations, I'd stick the feather in my journal, write a creative story and draw the journey of that magpie. My mum still has these precious journals of creativity.

 

'Been Through the Wash', lino block mixed media. Grief, loss and the human spirit, heart ache and the often treacherous nature of love.

 

What music do you like to have playing while creating art?

Anything which I find inspiring, soul fulfilling, moving, emotive, passionate and that strikes a chord in my soul. Most recently, it's been Frida Boccara, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews Band, Bon Iver, Atlas, Puccini, INXS, Bruce Springsteen

 

What are you trying to convey to viewers through your art?

Raw emotions common to all, the comfort and beauty in the natural world and simple pleasures. I hope that people gain as much joy and comfort from my work as I do in creating it. I express my own experiences through my work in the hope that human nature can relate and find something mutual between us in the work.

 

'She's Ready to Fly', mixed media canvas. This is about personal growth, better times ahead, moving forward gratitude for the natural world.

 

What things inspire you to create art?

The natural world, simple beauty, the power of the human spirit, loss and love, things that can't be explained with words, anything that brings a tear to my eye and lights up my senses.

 

What exhibitions have you had?

Most recently, I held a solo show in Newcastle at Forsight Gallery in June 2013.

I have a group show opening in Melbourne in February 2014, as well as a group show in Newcastle in February 2014. I am participating in the International Print Exchange Project which will see one of my works hung in a group show in New York. I will also have some work in the Oatley Art Show in Sydney this year.

Prior to this, I've held solo shows in Sydney and Newcastle as well as participating in group shows around Australia.

 

'Take Me Away', mixed media canvas.  The beauty of the natural world, self discovery, hope.

 

Have you sold any of your artworks?

I am an emerging Australian artist who has sold work since my teenage years of creating. Initially through my own circles of family and friends and now through the magic of social media and regular exhibitions.

 

How do you promote your art on the internet?

Mainly through my professional page on Facebook and Instagram. I link in with lots of international and national pages and people to gain exposure. I also link in with like minded people who are inspiring and who offer advice and support.

 

Tell us about influences

Nature, the natural world, family, friends, animals, personal experiences, beauty, sensitivity, kindness and the strength human spirit, the magic of living and of better days ahead.

 

Please recommend another artist you admire, and tell us a little about them:

Meredith Gaston is an Australian artist, author and illustrator based in the Blue Mountains, who creates incredible, vibrant treasures full of sensitivity and joy. I had the pleasure of meeting her recently and she is truly an inspiration. She seeks to express the wonder of the world and is an absolute delight.

 

 
'All Wrapped Up', mixed media canvas. Recovery, the security in the natural world, self care.

 

Tell us something interesting in your life.

I have lost people suddenly at a young age who are very dear to me. This has exposed me to the fragility of life. It has also enabled me to grow a depth of resilience, a sensitivity to the world and a thoughtful and contemplative attitude towards daily life and my art practice.

The most life changing experience for me to date, apart from loss and grief experiences has been a volunteer placement in East Timor, where I went to help set up a human rights museum in an old political prison in Dili. Some of the happiest and most generous people I have ever met with little or no possessions.

 

Do you have an embarrassing moment in your life?

Thousands. I am an artist and I have no sense of direction. I am also absent minded, living inside my head, at the best of times which proves to be entertaining to my family and friends. Most recently, I ironed a complete dress with the iron turned off.

 

If you could live your life over again, would there be anything you would do differently?

I wouldn't change any experience. If there was anything I would change it would be to believe in myself more, to strive to be kinder and gentle.

 

What plans do you have for the future of your art?

I do a lot of work with origami collage which I love. I delight in cutting and mixing and finding washi paper, traditional Japanese paper and treasures. I want to exhibit in Japan and am working towards this. I have also recently launched a range of greeting cards. I am currently working on an illustrated book on loss and grief for young people. I am a firm believing in art therapy and would like to work with people doing art therapy. I'd love to move into homewares and fashion, especially cushions and fabric designs. My dream would be to produce a line of fashion kimonos in my oriental designs and illustrations.

 

Do you have any good advice for emerging artists?

Try everything, persist, don't get disheartened, not everyone is going to like your work but you will be constantly surprised at who does like it and respond to your work.

 

Lucy Prior – Life is Short, Art Long

Sydney, Australia

Website: lucypriorart.com.au | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Artmegallery