What makes you feel the most wild and alive?
I guess I would have to say painting. I am very much a homebody and quite an introvert, so I’m not exactly an adventurous person. However, when I am really in the flow with an artwork, time just flies by and I feel most happy and at peace. I think starting an artwork can be quite a wild experience; it’s intimidating not knowing where it will end up or if it will live up to the vague vision I may have created in my mind. But once I start and really engross myself in the process, it’s such an exciting feeling. Happy accidents are the most thrilling part of creating for me.
How did your love for textiles and art begin and when?
I have always loved drawing and painting and have created during my spare time for basically my entire life. It wasn’t until I moved out of home and started finding my place in the world that I realised I could combine my love of creating art with my love of fashion and clothing. It took a long time, lots of practice (and a university degree) to finally get to a place where I can spend my days drawing and painting. The journey has been very much worth it and I am excited to see where else it may take me in the future.
Where do you find inspiration for your designs and colour palette?
The natural world is always inspiring for me, especially Australian florals. I spend too much money at florists! I just love having live flowers to draw and paint. It makes the outcome that little bit more unique. My phone is full of sneaky photos of beautiful gardens I see on my walks. I also love trawling through Pinterest, especially when I’m in a bit of a creative block. In terms of colour, I love warm Australian outback tones. My practice is very colour driven. I find I go through phases of loving one particular set of colours or shades before moving on to another within a month or two.
Please share with us your artistic practice — do you draw from flowers or photos?
I try to work directly from living flowers whenever possible as the outcome is much more organic. Otherwise I’ll draw or paint from images or old gardening books or magazines. I don’t overly plan my work before I start, I just begin and fix mistakes or redirect as I create. I find working a lot more freeing that way. My favourite mediums are thick, textured papers, gouache paints and fine liners. I also use inks and acrylic paints and even draw straight into photoshop on my table at times. It just depends on the mood I’m in. My favourite part of being an artist is that there are no rules.
What would be your dream collaboration?
Wow! What a question! I would have to say any sort of collaboration with Spell & The Gypsy Collective would be an absolute dream. I love their designs and overall ethos of sustainability. I think they have made a hugely positive impact on the Australian fashion landscape. I would also love to do a really random collaboration, like maybe designing a label for a wine or even tea packaging. Packaging is an area I’ve never worked in before so that would be really cool.
What are you …
Listening to:
Taylor Swift’s album Folklore. I know it came out a little while ago but I cannot get enough of it! I am also devouring lots of podcasts while in lockdown, particularly I Weigh with Jameela Jamil and The Deep for when I need some stories to occupy my mind.
Reading:
I just finished reading A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. It was an easy, thrilling read and now I’m about to start A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu.
Watching:
My husband and I are thoroughly enjoying Schitts Creek — it is so funny and the characters are very loveable.
Learning:
How to paint with acrylics again! I haven’t used acrylics or painted on canvas in years and I am really enjoying getting back into these mediums and exploring new ways to create.
Dreaming:
Oh, I cannot wait to see my parents again once lockdown has safely finished in Victoria. They live just over the NSW/Vic border and as I am in Victoria, I’m not allowed to travel to see them at the moment. I am missing them and the beautiful farm they live on so much. I can’t wait to get back there one day soon.
Where would we see your work?
Primarily on my Instagram. I update it regularly and also share some of the brands I am lucky enough to be working with who have turned my art into garments.
What’s next for you personally?
My husband and I have just bought a home on the Bellarine Peninsula so we will be moving in December. I can’t wait to live by the sea and have a new environment to be inspired by. I’ll also be doing lots more painting and hopefully even a small run of canvas paintings for sale before the end of the year.
For more, visit annastextiles.com.au and @annastextiles on Instagram.
