Yani Lenehan

Artist Interview

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

I work with oils because of their rich, soft texture and luxurious depth. Their slow drying time allows me to fully engage with each painting, carefully blending colours on my palette to achieve depth and subtle nuances. This deliberate process lets me apply paint to the canvas with patience and intention, creating a sense of calm and tranquility throughout the experience.

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

Inspiration is everywhere, but mostly around the little things that often go unnoticed. A painting journey would start with a drawing and colour sketch. Once I feel the composition and colours are in harmony, I create a detailed drawing that I then transfer onto my professionally pre-prepared canvas. From here, the painting evolves with lots of precision work and thoughtful choices of colour.

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

My studio is in my home in Bathurst, in regional NSW. I have a beautiful big window with flowing light which I find essential to capture the warmth of my colours. I use professional oil paints and work from a limited palette, which allows me to mix my own colours, creating harmony and balance in each artwork.