While Melbourne artist Madeleine Simson is busy getting ready for her upcoming solo exhibition, we stole a few minutes to get to know her better!
Madeleine's still life paintings are quirky, colourful and engaging, each carefully realised with a photorealistic style and careful attention to detail. Her compositions are playful juxtapositions of everyday man-made items; a plastic bag of fruit, a pile of books, a garment fresh from the dry-cleaners – with native birds and animals. Butterflies, birds and insects perch and play, adding an inquisitive liveliness to each piece.
How would you explain your artistic style and approach to someone unfamiliar with your work?
My style is all about colour, shadow and a sense of humour. I like to try to paint compositions that are a little quirky and a bit different. I try to always incorporate something from the man made world and something from nature, usually insects or birds.
Did you follow a formal fine arts education, or are you self taught?
I studied fine arts and Illustration at RMIT and NMIT. To be honest the only thing I learnt at art school was how to stretch a canvas, the rest I've learnt by practice, other artists and visiting galleries.
What is your background and where are you currently living?
I was born in Albury NSW, we moved to Melbourne when I was 7, Im currently living in Cheltenham, Melbourne.
Can you tell us something quirky about yourself, not widely known?
I am a above average parrallel parker, like two moves and Im done. I also sucked my thumb and had a ‘ruggy’ until I was 19.
How has your background and where you’ve lived influenced your art?
Both my grandparents lived in the country, Shepperton and Tocumwall, I remember waking up to the sound of magpies and cockatoos in the moring. Evertime I hear the chatter of magpies it brings back lovely memories of my granny's Anzac biscuits and watching Annie on VHS tape. I think painting Australian native birds is from a love for the country. I grew up catching lizards and falling alseep to the sound of cicadas, I have a deep love of insects.
How has your work evolved over time?
I've always painted in a photorealist style but in uni I started painting portraits and nudes. I came back to painting after a career in textile design, I wanted to paint shopping trolleys and milk crates. I moved to painting tablescapes for many years but I always come back to painting still lifes with a side of quirk.s
Do you follow a structured creative process, or is it more intuitive?
I think I'm pretty structured, I have painting days, freelance design and admin days. When I'm painting, I put on a podcast or documentary and paint from 9:30 to when I need to pick up the kids. I can paint for 6 hours straight and I love it, I find having to go to the bathroom or eating lunch super annoying because it interferes with painting!
What role does colour play in your work?
Colour is one of the biggest components in my work, I'm not sure why but I've always been drawn to bright colours, and all of the colours. Even my bridesmaids had differnt coloured dresses. I am really drawn to warm colours and in every painting I need to have a bright colour somewhere, it makes me feel uneasy if the composition is dull or too heavy with dark colours.
How do you want people to feel when they view your art?
It sounds simple but I just want the viewer to be happy, I want people to feel nolstagic, happy and a little intrigued.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career so far?
There has been a few, I've been shortlisted for a few awards, one being the unearthed prize with Art to art- that's been a real blessing and it was the first time I got to be introduced to art fairs and meeting and becoming friends with other Artists. When I first decided to be come a full time artist, I sent 6 paintings to Satch and co. Gallery in Holbrook, they all sold within 48 hours. That was one of the best feelings, I really felt like I had made the right decision to stop working in all the other fields I was playing in and just focus on painting.
What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how have you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges I face is self promotion and marketing. I find it difficult and embarrassing getting in front of the camera but you have
to do it to connect to collectors and people who might be interested in your artist journey. I've had to learn to put the cringy part of it aside and try to embrace the funny side of it.
How do you balance creative freedom with commercial success?
I offer commissions in my art practise, that way I find I can have financial stability and freedom to work on my own paintings for galleries and art fairs. I've also been incredibly lucky with my paintings, they tend to sell fairly quickly, I think a mixture of bright colours and quirky subject matter appeals to collectors.
What advice would you give to emerging artists?
Make the work you genuinely want to make, don't chase what you think will sell or whats on trend. Also don't be afraid to experiment, some of the best work comes from playing, making mistakes, and following an idea without knowing where it will lead.
Is there a particular piece of your own work that holds special meaning for you?
I did big painting for my good friend's café about 5 years ago. It was a table-scape with coffee and fruit and all things breakfast to work with the cafe, the reaction to that painting from the people who viewed it in the cafe, gave me the courage to be a full time artist. It also lead to a lot of commissions and a very successful table-scape series. It is called “Breakfast in Bed’ and it holds a special place in my heart. It gave me a lot and continues to give.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be?
Jeffery Smart is my all time favourite painter, the colours he used and his interesting compositions have always really inspired me. He obviously not with us any more so it would not be that easy to collaborate with but he is my pick!
If you weren’t an artist, what do you think you’d be doing?
I have always wanted to be a detective. I would love to be solving crimes, it just seems so interesting and different. However - I was never willing to do the shift work of an actual police officer to get there. The thought of standing on a road at 10pm in the middle of winter breathalizing people was just not appealing to me. I just wanted to skip straight to wearing pant suits and collecting evidence.
What’s next for you in your artistic journey?
Next year I plan on entering quite a few art prizes, I want to enter The Australian emerging art prize and, maybe a few more.
What do you like to do if you aren’t painting?
I love thrift shopping, and hanging out with my husband and kids. My perfect day would be; podcast on, ice coffee in hand, cruising thrift shops hunting bargains. Then taking my kids to the beach or a park and then having a pinot noir with my husband, Sam.
What does your creative workspace look like, and how does it shape your process?
My workspace changes, sometimes I paint at my mother and father in laws house; they have a gorgeous house with lots of big rooms with lots of natural light. Its really nice to have some people to talk to also – painting is a very solitary career. Sometimes I paint at the kitchen table – to my husband's horror, I have really ruined that table! I can paint anywhere.
Are there recurring themes or subjects that continually draw you in?
Birds and insects, Spots and stripes and crinkles. I love the shadows the crinkles of paper and plastic create. I will always be drawn to these themes.
Which mediums do you prefer working with, and what draws you to them?
I love acrylic paint and graphite and coloured pencil. Acrylics are easy to use, they don't smell and you can add retarder to slow down the drying time. I started my career using oils but when I was painting in a small apartment I switched to acrylics so the fumes weren't too strong. I know you can get oils with no smell now but I'm too scared to go back to oils... I will have to learn to paint all over again.
Walk us through a typical day in your studio—what routines or rituals do you follow?
I usually start early around 9am, I have a cup of black tea, I can't work in silence so I usually put on podcast or a documentary and jump in. Once I am painting I find it hard to stop. Eating is annoying because I have to stop to organise food. I eat lunch while I'm painting, and I can paint for 6-8 hours straight. I will only stop when I need to pick up my kids from school.
How do you recognise the moment when you need to create? What triggers your inspiration?
It's kind of like an addiction, you just get a massive craving to paint. I get physically antsy and irritated if I haven't painted something in a while.
What are your go-to materials, and do you have any unconventional tools in your practice?
Basically I'm pretty typical, I just use acrylic paint, canvas and paint brushes. I don't really use anything that is considered unconventional, although sometime I use my fingers to get a really smooth finish. I used to be a graphic designer, so when I create my compositions I do tend to use alot of photoshop to get colours and shadows correct.
What shifts or emerging trends in the Australian art world excite you the most?
I’m really excited by the way the Australian art world is becoming more open, playful and less defined by traditional boundaries. I love seeing artists experiment across different mediums and blur the lines between fine art, design, fashion and popular culture. I also think there’s a really exciting shift towards artists building their own communities and audiences, rather than relying solely on traditional galleries and institutions. Social media has given artists a much more direct relationship with the people who connect with their work, and I think that’s incredibly powerful.
What’s the most unexpected or unusual job you’ve had outside of your art career?
My uncle used to own Aussie disposals which was a chain store for camping and fishing enthusiest. I was desperate to get into a reatail job after years of Hospitality (McDonalds) so he gave me a job in one of the stores. I lasted one day. I was supposed to learn everything about all the equipment and what was the best tent for what situation and I was so intimidated I quit later that day... I did write my uncle Mark a letter to say thank you for the opportunity but it just wasnt for me, I felt awful.
If you could host a dinner with three influential figures from the art world, who would make the guest list?
C.J Hendry, Salvadore Dali and Johannes Vameer (with an interpreter). Johannes, would probably be a bit of a grump, but I want him at the dinner just so I can poke around a bit about what relationship he really had with the girl with the pearl earing. I want more details.
If you could acquire any artwork—historical or contemporary—which one would it be and why?
I have always loved “The Oil Drums" (1992) by Jeffery Smart. Probably my favourite painting of all time. I love the colours and the dramatic sky. He was such a master of composition and colour.
