THIS week we’re chatting with multi-medium artist Alicia Thomas.
What first motivated you to become an actor?
I didn’t know I wasn’t an actor. The desire to draw and visually express the world around me is something that has been with me forever, ever since I have never said it. The creation of visual art seems to be associated with immersing myself in an experience ranging from interactions with the natural world to expressing something happening on an emotional level.
How would you describe your style and how did you develop it?
I can’t pick a favorite medium but instead I feel like I have a toolbox to choose from when I want to express something. That could be something symbolic using printmaking, something engaging using oil paints or sitting down to draw a careful expression of emotion. My art is generally figurative, symbolic, detailed and considered. No quick execution.
Which other artist inspires you and why?
I love the work of a huge variety of artists from history and our contemporary culture but the word inspiration is more passionate for me. Inspiring artists are particularly my fellow artists I’ve watched who make careers in the arts while simultaneously facing similar challenges as I take care of family and other paid jobs, and however still continue to do the jobs they are passionate about and specialize in.
Watching these artists as their practice progresses and grows is truly inspiring and includes local artists and teachers, Ray Pearce, Stan Farley, Janet Goodchild-Cuffley, Catherine Pilgrim, David Frazer, Chrisanne Blennerhasset and Sarah Gabriel to name a few. Not only is the work they do inspiring but they have the will and determination to do it, sometimes despite the lack of support in our culture for the creative.
How has COVID affected your practice?
COVID appeared when my mother was dying and my father was starting to get worse. My foster father, my mother’s death and living in lockdown meant I suddenly had time to sit back and relish my grief and time to express it through making art.
During that time I joined the artists in residence at Valentine’s Antique Gallery where we existed through lockdowns that made it difficult to establish our studios as a place where people could get to know the practicing locals. artists and buy high-quality work.
In retrospect, I feel like life at the time saw me do a greater amount of work while simultaneously cultivating new friendships and support networks. I feel, despite all the tragedy at the time, something good came out of the pandemic.
How will people evaluate your work?
My work can be viewed as part of Artists in Residence at Valentine’s Antique Gallery at 18 View Street Bendigo, right in the heart of Bendigo’s thriving art precinct where we are open six days a week, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5 and every Sunday from 11 to 4. You can also find an overview via my website, Sandhurst Art Studio, via Instagram @ajtinst and on my Sandhurst Art Studio facebook page.
What can you say to young regional aspiring artists who are thinking of doing this?
I would say absolutely give it a crack. Our time here is limited, and we must do what is important to us.
