Watercolour thats a bit cheeky but really fucking beautiful. We talked to Australian based artist, Sarah Larnach...
SARAH LARNACH interview for BAISER MAGAZINE (Feature #9)BAISER MAGAZINE: Hi, tell us abit about yourself. How old are you and where are you from?
SARAH LARNACH: I am Sarah Larnach, I'm a visual artist and I'm 29. Currently living in Sydney Australia, but I'm a New Zealander.
BM: Describe your artwork to us. Where do you get ideas from? Do you have any inspirations?
SL: I mainly work in watercolor and ink on paper, and get into a bit of cross pollination using the painted image with photography and video. I like to document and dramatize scenarios of real life...and scenarios that have nothing to do with reality but are, rather, scenes I could only hope to witness, such as a cat playing a vintage computer game or a pastel dinosaur dressed as a ghost. My work is supposed to be funny, and references sex often- 'humorous' sex rather than 'this is serious' sex. ... the animals I paint have nothing to do with sex, by the way. everybody knows that sex and animals don't mix. Like, you have to kick the cat out of the room before a make-out session goes any further, out of respect for animal rights and animal prude-ishness. The single biggest influence on my work is probably music. I had some confused years when I couldnt reconcile my passion- music, and my talent- art. Ladyhawke totally helped me out of that jam, and now I make art for music. Perfect!I have gotten a number of ideas by observing my friends and their posturing and antics, and from looking at the ways photography records such moments. Im inspired by portrait photography and old movie posters, and artists who aren't afraid to use a little humour and a little darkness, especially film makers John Waters, Bruce La Bruce and Tim Burton. At the moment, outside of my work with Ladyhawke, I'm looking at people who define themselves by a personal ideal of beauty... rather than say, a mass media ideal.
SL: I mainly work in watercolor and ink on paper, and get into a bit of cross pollination using the painted image with photography and video. I like to document and dramatize scenarios of real life...and scenarios that have nothing to do with reality but are, rather, scenes I could only hope to witness, such as a cat playing a vintage computer game or a pastel dinosaur dressed as a ghost. My work is supposed to be funny, and references sex often- 'humorous' sex rather than 'this is serious' sex. ... the animals I paint have nothing to do with sex, by the way. everybody knows that sex and animals don't mix. Like, you have to kick the cat out of the room before a make-out session goes any further, out of respect for animal rights and animal prude-ishness. The single biggest influence on my work is probably music. I had some confused years when I couldnt reconcile my passion- music, and my talent- art. Ladyhawke totally helped me out of that jam, and now I make art for music. Perfect!I have gotten a number of ideas by observing my friends and their posturing and antics, and from looking at the ways photography records such moments. Im inspired by portrait photography and old movie posters, and artists who aren't afraid to use a little humour and a little darkness, especially film makers John Waters, Bruce La Bruce and Tim Burton. At the moment, outside of my work with Ladyhawke, I'm looking at people who define themselves by a personal ideal of beauty... rather than say, a mass media ideal.
BM: How did you learn to have such good technique in painting/drawing?
SL: I'm not too sure what happened- in highschool I had good enough ideas but only fairly good skills, then after highschool I took a break from drawing and painting for about four years. When I came back to it, at the very first attempt, my technical skills had really improved. Maybe I was drawing in my sleep or something, I cant explain it. It was very weird. There are a few contributing factors though; my mother is an artist and would occasionally take me to her watercolour lessons when i was very young, and I have learned a lot from her over the years, especially about colour. I call mum with mundane questions like "how do I re-stretch my paper after the painting is finished", or to discuss the fascinating properties of the color 'rose madder genuine'. I origianally majored in printmaking at art school, and that tought me a lot about layering, which has really informed my painting practice.
SL: I'm not too sure what happened- in highschool I had good enough ideas but only fairly good skills, then after highschool I took a break from drawing and painting for about four years. When I came back to it, at the very first attempt, my technical skills had really improved. Maybe I was drawing in my sleep or something, I cant explain it. It was very weird. There are a few contributing factors though; my mother is an artist and would occasionally take me to her watercolour lessons when i was very young, and I have learned a lot from her over the years, especially about colour. I call mum with mundane questions like "how do I re-stretch my paper after the painting is finished", or to discuss the fascinating properties of the color 'rose madder genuine'. I origianally majored in printmaking at art school, and that tought me a lot about layering, which has really informed my painting practice.
BM: What does the future hold for Sarah Larnach?
SL: I would like to make more music videos and maybe a film; not because I have delusions of grandeur, but more because i have lots and lots of ideas. loads, and when i follow them along, they surprise me. And having them come to fruition is totally delightful. who doesn't want work to be delightful?!I love that my work is on record covers because it means hundreds of thousands of people have looked at my painting, even if they don't give a damn. When you compare that to the limited number of people you share with in an exhibition setting... well, its not that the creative value changes, but shit; if I didn't care about sharing my work I'd just finish it and file it away in my studio without showing anyone, you know? Anyway, I guess its egotistical, but I hope that more of my paintings get picked up for other such highly exposed uses so that I might feel like a farmer looking over the bountiful crops she grew from seed. If I made something that went into mass-production, I'd be thrilled.I also have a documentary project which is a collaboration with a filmer and a composer. I am painting portraits in the way a photographer records the subjects of a story.And I'm close to completion of a lighthearted solo series; I still need to approach galleries to exhibit it. Its suggestive and definatly a bit rude. It is a love letter to John Waters, in a way... a dedication from a fan. When Its done, I will send a package of the work to John Waters and propose he donate his dude-juice for the benefit of my neglected baby making equipment.
SL: I would like to make more music videos and maybe a film; not because I have delusions of grandeur, but more because i have lots and lots of ideas. loads, and when i follow them along, they surprise me. And having them come to fruition is totally delightful. who doesn't want work to be delightful?!I love that my work is on record covers because it means hundreds of thousands of people have looked at my painting, even if they don't give a damn. When you compare that to the limited number of people you share with in an exhibition setting... well, its not that the creative value changes, but shit; if I didn't care about sharing my work I'd just finish it and file it away in my studio without showing anyone, you know? Anyway, I guess its egotistical, but I hope that more of my paintings get picked up for other such highly exposed uses so that I might feel like a farmer looking over the bountiful crops she grew from seed. If I made something that went into mass-production, I'd be thrilled.I also have a documentary project which is a collaboration with a filmer and a composer. I am painting portraits in the way a photographer records the subjects of a story.And I'm close to completion of a lighthearted solo series; I still need to approach galleries to exhibit it. Its suggestive and definatly a bit rude. It is a love letter to John Waters, in a way... a dedication from a fan. When Its done, I will send a package of the work to John Waters and propose he donate his dude-juice for the benefit of my neglected baby making equipment.
BM: What are three things that you can't live without?
SL: Family/friends, The Simpsons and heavy matching (shoes must colour match an item of clothing or accessory on top half, jeans color must match detail on tee shirt or jacket)
BM: Any advice for struggling young artists out there?
SL: You dont need to do things 'by-the-book'. Invent your own reasons to create. Invent projects. Invent your own path and short-cuts along it. Develop a creative partnership with someone, or lots of people, even if you are in different fields of creativity; because if you're prepared to bring your parners/friends along for the ride, hopefully they'll be doing the same for you.
BM: The music video you did for Ladyhawke is super impressive, how did you start working with her?
SL: Aww, thanks!We became inseparable best friends when we met, about 5 years ago... that was the reason why I came close to failing my last year of art school (because I didnt want to go to any classes). I painted one picture of her that year, but our first collaborative effort was a pretty hilarous club night which featured our ground breaking rock-bingo; the prize and catch phrase was "Mug, Rug or Jug?!"... winners choice of a mug (with a kitten on it), a rug (those nasty fleece ones with wild animals pictured), or a jug of beer. Oh, we had bands too, and we DJ'd. And occasionally you could win a meat tray... its a New Zealand custom..In retrospect, it was all a bit camp. Anyway, we were living in Sydney when Ladyhawke was really coming together, but I was broke, and sad because I hadnt been very creative in a long time. So Pip (Ladyhawke) bought me a little table and chair, and some materials and basically sat me down and said "PAINT!". I experemented with some Ladyhawke logos, and listened to Pips suggestions for how I should pick my portraits, which has really shaped my style. She used to make these really great digital collages of all the things that inspired Ladyhawke, and I'd take colour-scheme and subject references from those. Ours is a was a very natural collaboration, and I have no hesitation to say that Pip has been my muse.
SL: Aww, thanks!We became inseparable best friends when we met, about 5 years ago... that was the reason why I came close to failing my last year of art school (because I didnt want to go to any classes). I painted one picture of her that year, but our first collaborative effort was a pretty hilarous club night which featured our ground breaking rock-bingo; the prize and catch phrase was "Mug, Rug or Jug?!"... winners choice of a mug (with a kitten on it), a rug (those nasty fleece ones with wild animals pictured), or a jug of beer. Oh, we had bands too, and we DJ'd. And occasionally you could win a meat tray... its a New Zealand custom..In retrospect, it was all a bit camp. Anyway, we were living in Sydney when Ladyhawke was really coming together, but I was broke, and sad because I hadnt been very creative in a long time. So Pip (Ladyhawke) bought me a little table and chair, and some materials and basically sat me down and said "PAINT!". I experemented with some Ladyhawke logos, and listened to Pips suggestions for how I should pick my portraits, which has really shaped my style. She used to make these really great digital collages of all the things that inspired Ladyhawke, and I'd take colour-scheme and subject references from those. Ours is a was a very natural collaboration, and I have no hesitation to say that Pip has been my muse.
BM: Where was your first kiss?
SL: Up a tree.
BM: Do you kiss and tell?
SL: No. Telling spoils the secret.
SHE IS AMAZING. I love Baiser Magazine, you know none of this blah blah bullshit, straight to the point and actually getting young artists out there known more to our youth. GOOD JOB BAISER xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteamazing! your work are great! you re full of talent!
ReplyDeleteI love it ! Very creative ! That's actually really cool Thanks.
ReplyDelete