She may have once lived next door to Robert de Niro in New York, but artist and creative director Michelle Ball prefers the beauty of Pittwater and days spent painting at her Elvina Bay studio.
What’s your favourite beach on the Northern Beaches?
Palm Beach is spectacular — from the lighthouse to the rock pool. It sits under the mouth of the Hawkesbury River and it has West Pittwater, which is my stomping ground, on its back door.
What’s the best thing about the Northern Beaches?
As my Grandfather used to say, “It has the best climate in Australia — the most temperate.” We have the most stunning ocean views from headland to headland — for me it’s an endless source of inspiration.
Where’s your favourite place to eat, drink and hang out?
The Newport. This hotel is family friendly with delicious fish and chips. I love the casual atmosphere plus it’s only a boat ride from home.
If you had to live anywhere else in the world, where would that be?
New York. I went there for six weeks and it was so much fun that I had my portfolio sent over and stayed for 10 years. It was here that I taught myself watercolours. I really loved that creative life. My friends would come over to my loft in Tribeca and I would invite the dancers from my sister-in-law’s dance company. We would spent the night drawing the dancers — it was fabulous. While I loved that life, and I still love to visit, living on the Northern Beaches gives me access to the city while I can still enjoy the beaches and national parkland.
What inspired your cover artwork?
I have been painting local scenes during isolation. A recent favourite is capturing the ocean rock pools, places with happy memories. My young family would walk to Fairlight Pool, which you can see on the cover, when we lived in Manly.
What inspires your artwork in general?
Nature and the sheer beauty I see everywhere is what inspires me. There is so much to see and learn. It gives me so much pleasure to paint and I want to share it with everyone.
How would you describe your art?
Landscapes are capturing most of my attention just now. I put people in the painting to help express the overwhelming scale. It reinforces our place in nature and relationship to the planet. I have been painting recently on wood. It’s easy to transport however my favourite is large scale canvas or rolls of watercolour paper.
How did you discover you had a gift for art?
As a small child I was encouraged to be creative and it always gave me pleasure. I won a community art prize while in primary school — it was the first time my painting was admired outside my family. Then I had a drawing published in a newspaper when I was only 10 and that was the first time that I thought about becoming an artist.
Did you formally study art?
When I left school I wanted to do art but my family wanted me to be a secretary so I ran away to Western Australia to escape office life. Knowing that I had to support myself, I decided to do graphic design and film, which was the start of my professional career as a creative director in publishing.
Do you have a favourite part of the artistic process?
The thrill of the new idea and the initial stroke on a blank canvas would be my favourite part of my process — the rest is hard work, concentration, practice and perseverance.
What else are you working on?
I’m going to be part of a show at Eramboo, an art centre in Terrey Hills, on December 4th to 5th. I’m working on botanical watercolour lampshades including a desk lamp, a series of printed landscape cards and some small oil paintings of local landscapes. I also have a few other projects on the go at the moment.
How can people buy and support your artwork?
I sell most of my work through Instagram @michelleball.art or my website michelleball.com. I’m very happy for anyone interested in my work to ring me on 0413 518 341 to discuss a piece that they are interested in.
Do you have a guiding principle?
My only advice is to practice, listen to others, be kind and be true.