Cynthia Copley

Artist Interview

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

I have predominately been a watercolourist for many years before taking up oil painting in 2020. The rich texture and vibrancy of oils have extended my art practice, freeing me to paint in a deeply visceral state. Watercolour and oils are the yin and yang of my deep sense of creativity and I love to paint and explore with both mediums.

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

Connecting with nature and being outdoors is a significant element to creating my artworks. I regularly head outdoors on nature walks and hikes with my plein air kit, spending a few hours or a day immersed in the environment. This is an important part of my process where I aim to capture my direct response to the environment through plein air painting on paper in watercolour, gouache and charcoal. These first interactions then become the foundations for landscapes remembered and re-imagined in larger expressionist oil paintings created in my dedicated home studio.

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

Living in Ipswich I am fortunate to be on the doorstep to many spectacular natural beauty spots in Southeast Queensland. Painting outdoors is a key aspect of my art practice and I find great enjoyment and inspiration painting in the open. Creating a larger finished piece takes place in my home studio, a small and intimate space where I spend most of my working week as a fulltime artist. This space is juxtaposed to my outdoor working conditions. I have everything at my fingertips for creating my artwork, plus the perks of air-conditioning, a sink and a snack fridge! I spend many hours in my home studio, especially if I have an exhibition deadline. Time stands still the moment I enter.