Cover Artist… Maddy O’Connor

How long have you lived on the Northern Beaches?

Apart from a brief stint in London and then the Inner West, my whole life.

Where’s your favourite place to eat, drink, hang out?

Banco in Manly. Such good food, amazing service and I love how cosy and intimate it is.

What’s the best thing about the Northern Beaches?

The beaches for sure, and the abundance of good coffee

What inspired your cover artwork?

I was commissioned by Goodradigbee Distillers to paint a label for their Christmas Blush Gin. The work is a reflection of long, lazy Christmas lunches, with laughter, debate, and love.

What inspires your artwork in general?

I look at nostalgia, childhood, and femininity in my work. I’m really drawn to childlike art, and I like to approach painting as an act of play. I use a lot of text in my work. I love the idea of using the written word as an image.

How would you describe your art?

Playful and silly.

What is your favourite part of the artistic process?

I love that it gives me an opportunity to be less precious. It’s a great outlet for me when the rest of my life feels serious. There is something very rewarding about tapping into your inner child and trying to make something, not so that it looks good, but because it feels good to make. 

Which artists or inspiring people, dead or alive, would you most like to have dinner with?

Tracey Emin, Dolly Parton, and Fran Lebowitz. They are huge sources of inspiration for me as smart, creative, and unfiltered women.

How did you discover you had a gift for art?

I don’t know that I ever thought I had a gift for art. I just always loved it. I used to draw constantly as a kid, and that love of drawing and art just never went away.

Did you study art?

I did! I studied a BFA at the National Art School in Sydney, and hope to do my Masters in Fine Art at some point.

What are you working on now?

I’m trying to step away from painting at the moment and take my practice back to what I loved most growing up – drawing. It’s really helping me connect with that inner naivety, and I feel less obliged to make a masterpiece because it’s just on paper.

What’s your favourite thing about what you do?

Making people angry. I can’t count how many times someone has told me what I do isn’t art. The fact they react at all to my paintings means my work is doing its job. 

What would you like to see on the Beaches art scene?

More community run initiatives, and less high-end gallery spaces. Art needs to be more accessible on the beaches.

Any advice for young or aspiring artists?

Just make stuff. Don’t put pressure on yourself to be brilliant. Work out what you like about artmaking and do more of it. Skill comes with practice.

Any other words of wisdom for Tawny readers?

Do something every day that makes you feel like a kid again.

Follow Maddy on Instagram @mocoworldwide and visit her website: maddyoconnor.com