Andrew Sleeman

Artist Interview

What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?

I mostly work with acrylic paint, as I work in my house around my family and acrylic paint feels like a safer option with an easier clean up. After some exploration and completion of artist led courses, I have started to use oil paint as well. Oil paint certainly has the benefit of blending beautifully and showing expressive brush marks, but I do like the fast-drying time of acrylic for layering and making adjustments quickly.

How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?

I find inspiration in what I see in my everyday life – it might be scenes that show combinations of natural environments and built structures on my running path, interactions in local cafes or different objects on a counter or benchtop that make an interesting still life. I take a lot of 'in the moment' images with my phone and complete different sketches which then get edited into compositions for painting. I spend time editing my images and sketches and considering how the different images work together as a whole.

Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?

I paint in the open living area of my house at the moment, as it is the only space I really have. I dream of a studio space or even converting the spare room into a studio though.