Prudence Coburn

Artist Interview

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

I am most drawn to working with acrylic paint due to its versatility and quick-drying nature. This medium allows me to explore the dynamic process of layering. I often work on multiple pieces simultaneously, and the rapid drying time of acrylics enables me to seamlessly move between artworks while also continuing to work on a dry surface. Additionally, the flexibility of acrylic paint allows me to create texture through drying layers, I find this helps to strike a balance between deliberate expression and avoiding overworking an artwork.

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

My art process is deeply rooted in my experiences, learnings, and interactions, which often spark new concepts in my mind. Sometimes, an idea lingers in my head for months before I can fully visualise it on canvas—and when that moment comes, I must act quickly. I often find that it is directly after witnessing a sea creature or immersing myself in the ocean that I am most inspired to get to work in my studio. From there, it becomes both a battle and a dance to bring the idea to life—a constant back and forth between deciding whether the artwork isn’t yet perfect or if adding anything more would be too much. I live by the principle that if I wouldn't want to hang a piece in my own home, it's not finished. This mindset has brought me a sense of peace with each individual artwork, allowing me to share my creations confidently in exhibitions and galleries with the sole purpose of connecting others to my art.

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

My studio is my playground. Within my practice I require the ability to explore and play as much as I do the practical side of putting paint to canvas. I share my studio space with surfboards, wetsuits, snorkel gear and a 3 metre long fibreglass hammerhead shark sculpture and I find that by surrounding myself with the tools that assist me in finding inspiration, I am happy to create. Immersing myself in the ocean is as much a part of my artistic process as painting is. Living on the Sunshine Coast allows me to incorporate that in to my everyday.