How long have you lived on the Northern Beaches?
It’s been 32 years now. I was originally from Liverpool in the UK – this part of the world couldn’t be more different.
What’s the best thing about the Northern Beaches?
It sounds like a statement of the obvious because the best thing has to be the beaches. I have travelled all over the world and few compare to the beauty we have here.
Describe one of your fondest memories of life on the beaches?
The memory that stands out and it’s a funny one because I am not a football person but it’s the CC Strikers because for years many families in the team would meet up every Saturday with the kids to watch the dads play. The kids are all still friends today
If you had to live anywhere else in the world, where would that second-best place be?
I haven’t found a country I prefer more than Australia, so if pressed I’d give Melbourne a go. I love the vibrancy of the city.
What inspired your cover artwork?
The view south from Long Reef to Dee Why and beyond. It’s a view I love and have walked up and down this coast many, many times. It seemed the perfect image to capture.
What inspires you in general?
Colour and texture. I will look for a scene that I can enhance by pushing and exaggerating colour to create the lovely textural look that I like.
How would you describe your art?
Juicy. That’s the word I think best describes it because I work with oil paint and use lots of colour and a palette knife to create paintings you want to touch or maybe even eat.
What is your favourite part of the artistic process?
I love it when I have the first layers down and start adding lots of paint over the top and see how the paint can merge, grab and stick to the paint underneath. It’s like creating a sculptural piece.
Which artists (or other inspiring people) would you most like to have dinner with and why?
Anthony Robbins because he has a big heart and has made such a difference in my life. Steve Irwin – what a character. Larger than life itself. It would be amazing to be in a room with him and hear his stories.
How did you discover you had a gift for art?
It was not so much a gift but enjoyment of the process and the desire to get better that drove me to take lessons.
Did you study art? Yes. I have a diploma in Design and Visual Arts and have attended many art workshops. I’ve worked with an amazing artist for about seven years, developing my own style. It wasn’t until I found my style I felt comfortable exhibiting and selling my work.
What else are you working on at the moment?
I’m travelling Australia, taking lots of photos and will start painting scenes from my travels very soon. I have been busy adding prints to my collection to continue selling my work while I am away, and I have a podcast with my art friend Cat Machin called Art Wisdom where we share our art journey and learnings.
How can people buy and support your art?
You can buy my artwork and prints from my website www.chrismercerartist.com.au You can follow me on Facebook and Instagram @chrismercerartist
What would you like to see, in the future of the Beaches art scene?
Street art, silo art and murals on any area that needs lifting. Mural art is fantastic, I’d like to see more of it here, influenced by our beach vibe.
What advice do you have for young or aspiring artists?
Seek teachers who inspire you and learn from them but keep searching till you find our own style, you will know when you do because it will feel right.
Any other words of wisdom for our readers?
Find what you love to do then find a way to get paid for it. Easier said than done but so worth it.
Do you have a suitably pretentious quote to impart?
I do. I’m in Shepparton at the moment and visited the Furphy Museum. There is a quote they put on all the watercarts:
Good, better best
Never let it rest
Till your good is better
And your better is best