Born in the UK, but with a yearning for the ocean, it was only a matter of time before Eve Bracewell set sail for Australia, unearthing her creative co-working gems at Brookvale’s La Crème Creative Inc, and drawing on the ocean’s inspiration to fashion vivid and dazzling works of art.
Which artists and inspiring people, living and dead, would you most like to have dinner with?
It will have to be a big table, with David Bowie, Bjork, Ursula K. Le Guin, Frank Stella, Lee Krasner, Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring, Chloë Sevigny, Matisse, Basquiat, Grace Jones, Sonia Delaunay, J Dilla, Kassia Meador and Lee Scratch Perry. Just a few of my favourite creative geniuses.
How did you discover you had a gift for art?
When I was a kid, I painted all over my little sister’s face with Tipp-Ex (White-Out in Oz). It was a masterpiece and I’ve been creating ever since.
Did you study art?
I studied textiles in a little Welsh seaside town called Swansea. I also took a short course in Graphic design here in Australia.
How long have you lived on the Northern Beaches?
Twelve years. I’m originally from the UK and lived the big city life in London. I loved the cultural and creative aspect, but constantly yearned for the ocean. Inevitably, this inspired me to venture out to Australia in 2011.
What inspired your cover?
My artwork explores the many moods and emotions of the ocean as well as my deep
connection to this dynamic environment. Inspired by its textures, colours, and forms, I used a combination of handmade collage and digital processes to reflect the rhythmic flow of this healing landscape. I believe the ocean has a positive impact on our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether you are looking at it from the shoreline, swimming or surfing in it, it can help you escape, ground, and find inner joy.
What inspires you in general?
My work often explores human experience and connection/ lack of connection with the landscape, and I draw inspiration from textures and forms found within the natural and built environment. Music is also a huge inspiration, it drives my aim to create colourful works that hold a playful sense of rhythm, motion, and depth.
What is your favourite part of the artistic process?
I love the dreaming up and the hands-on part of the process, where I am away from the computer screen getting all messy and experimental.
What would you like to see in the future of the Beaches art scene?
Less beige and more colour please! I’d like to see a mural on every wall in Brookvale.
What advice do you have for young or aspiring artists?
Find your creative community. Don’t struggle, ask for help. Everyone is winging it, even your heroes. Trust your gut, it’s clever and will lead you in the right direction. Don’t compare yourself to others, compare your work to what you created yesterday. If you feel creatively stuck, reconnect with nature. Tell that imposter syndrome to piss off and keep putting your creations out there, the world needs your art. It’s okay to have a secret day job to pay the bills, it leaves you free to create whatever you choose.
Do you have a suitably pretentious quote that you can impart for Tawny readers?
“Create yourself, you think I just woke up as Andy Warhol?” – Andy Warhol
How can people buy and support your artwork?
Hit me up on Instagram @eve_bracewell, through my website evebracewell.com, or even better, come say hi at my Brookvale studio, La Crème Creative Inc, 2/1 Sydenham Road. If you make an appointment, this will include a cracking cup of tea made by me.