Meet the Artist: 5 Minutes with Kimmy Hogan

Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?

Yes, there was. I had worked for many years feeling unsatisfied in various commercial design firms so I had been experimenting with art on the side for my creative fix. After doing a heap of research and planning, I decided I had to follow my dreams and pursue an artistic career. I’ve never looked back! 

Can you tell us about the process of making your work?

My process is continually changing and lately, I have really enjoyed hitting the pencil and paper first before getting on the computer. I start with some rough sketches in my journal to establish shapes and composition, usually drawing on inspiration from my local florist. From there I start to draw digitally with hand motion to create those natural imperfect lines. I draw each element individually, one at a time, there is nothing 'computer generated’ here. I usually colour elements as I go then continually change up the scheme until it all just works.

Do you have a favourite photograph or painting? If so, what is it and why?

I couldn’t possibly pick a single favourite image but I’m always awe-struck by Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, and John Russell. It’s the energy, paint strokes and colours that are pure magic. 

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the pieces you’re exhibiting?

These works were all about showing evidence of human touch which I feel gives digital artwork a soul. I create my drawings with ‘hand motion’ so the form is quite loose and natural but in this collection I also added texture overlays and scribble for a more personal touch. The colour palette was inspired by exotic travel images I pine over – Moroccan market places, rendered walls, clay vessels, and colourful spices.

What are five things you’re loving at the moment? 

  1. TV Shows: I love a night in alone watching Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year which are on the arts channel on foxtel (and available on demand). I love watching all the different techniques and applications of paint and the unique interpretation of the subject. I find it so therapeutic and inspirational.
  2. Drawing: I don’t get a lot of time to do this but I love to do loose sketches of artwork concepts, blind contour drawings and even drawing with paint.
  3. Pretend play with my boys: As a mum of three little boys (all under school age!), we like to get creative on our ‘home days’ to keep entertained. One of our favourites is throwing sheets over the table to create a ‘tent’ then go ‘camping’! We will set up nature walks with all our plastic animals and once even made a silly home movie on the iPad about being chased by a crocodile. It’s days like these that are golden.
  4. Baking: I like baking our own banana bread and cookies so we have our snacks sorted for the week. My boys love joining in on this also.
  5. A coffee and alone time on work mornings. I get three mornings per week when the boys are at kinder or daycare and usually the first thing I do after drop off is go to a local café for a coffee and quiet time. Like most households, ours is like a whirlwind getting out the door in the morning and I like to take a moment to still the mind before I go home and jump into the studio.

What's your advice for emerging artists?

Be yourself. Don’t try to be anyone else. Ignore trends. Be unique. Your own artistic style will take some time to nurture but it should come naturally to you.

Shop Kimmy Hogan