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Interview with Australian Artist Kirsten Jackson

We catch up with artist Kirsten Jackson and find out more about her life and inspiration. This interview first appeared in our very first issue of ele HOME magazine. By Katie Skinner

Tell us a bit about your yourself?

I live in the beautiful bayside suburb of Hampton in Melbourne’s south, with my studio based not too far away in Sandringham. I’ve been a professional artist for 20 years and started using art as way to heal after the passing of my father at the age of three years old and later my mother who passed away from leukemia when I was 14. I stopped for a while but went back to art after the birth of my daughter 23 years ago. I realised I could make my art commercially viable and make a living from doing what I love while staying home with my kids.

My corporate background in marketing and sales went a long way to getting the business off the ground and successful. I now run an online course for artists called ‘Steps for Success’ which guides artist through taking commercial control of their future as an artist and guiding them to commercial success.

How would you describe your creative style and mediums?

I work with little thought and just paint. I am very messy and love colour, no structure. I am way too impatient for oils so my mediums are acrylics, oils pastels and watercolours. I use art as a positive outlet and painting is a meditative process for me.

Who and what inspires you?

I need to be surrounded by beautiful things. I used to run marathons professionally and running every day puts me in a good mood and inspires me. I love artists Jai Vasicek, Michael Bond and Ken Done, to name a few.

What do you love about your work?

I get lovely messages from people who buy my work telling me how happy my work makes them feel. This is what I love about what I do as well as guiding emerging artists via my online course.

What does the future have in store for you?

I have never been very goal driven. I work long hours, but I’m not attached to any one outcome. At the moment I have a long list of people waiting for commissions which will keep me busy this year.

The Details

@kirstenjackson_gallery
kirstenjackson.com.au
Studio: 220 Bluff Rd, Sandringham, Victoria, Australia

Love art and want more? Click here for our interview with artist Karina Jambrak and here for our interview with artist Pip Spiro.

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