It’s SALA time in South Australia and if you’re an Adelaide girl you know that means every cafe, gallery and art space is shinning bright with new work.
Jessie Feitosa and Lena Baumgartner are two astonishingly brilliant artists who have put together a joint show SAGA, at Reform Distilling.
To my absolute shock, they’ve asked me to officially open the exhibition for them. Which I’m honoured by and, if I’m honest, feel rather intimidated by their style, talent and profile. I mean wowee, between them they have over 30K on insta!
Jessie and Lena have become my arty besties and I think its because they are such humble, yet bold women. We have so much in common, our conversations arounds clients, briefs, creative process and the juggle of being a mum brings me so much connection and joy with every catch up.
So you can get to know them a bit more, I’ve asked them each 6 questions to give you insight into their process and inspiration.
Jessie Feitosa
1. What led you first to start painting still life and beverages?
Working in hospitality for many years. I would take the empty bottles of gin home and paint them.
2. What’s your favourite drink?
I love a coffee or a glass of red. A cheeky gin or espresso martini.
3. What’s your biggest fear leading up to an exhibition?
I'm a 100% excited I’m just scared of public speaking. Thank goodness for you Leah.
4. What’s been your biggest win in your business this year? (Clearly your biggest win in life is Baby Florence!)
Obviously my biggest win is my new baby Florence she's my biggest masterpiece. Business wise my biggest win was having a solo show with Jumbled at the beginning of the year and currently all 18 pieces have sold.
5. What’s your daughter’s response when she sees your paintings?
Lily is my biggest encouragement for painting. Her response when she was a baby to the one painting of mine hanging in the home was... She would stare at it with such wonder and awe. Lily is almost four and her words to my work are positive and beautiful... She says great job mum.
6. What advice would you give to other artists for how to capture light and transparencies in glass?
When it comes to painting glass and capturing light less is best. I use a medium to thin out the paint to make it more transparent. I start with the darker colours first and build up to the final highlight.
Lena Baumgartner
1. When did you start painting in this style?
I started painting in this style and really committing and jumping in with two feet probably the last two years. Previous to this I really enjoyed painting abstracts that were more landscapes but I always felt that was so controlled and in many ways it felt like I was holding back.
2. When you’re creatively stuck, where do you always find inspiration?
My kids and nature. Love love love going for walks to clear my head. I always find garden weeds and random flowers that grow in the pavements the best colour combination inspiration. My kids often mix all their play doh colours together which I love to watch. I also have a little painting journal that I use to put all my colour combinations in. Often I think the best way to push through is to continue painting through the block. Not every piece needs to be colourful or beautiful. I think a block can create some really powerful and emotional pieces.
3. What’s your biggest fear leading up to an exhibition?
Not being good enough.!!! I think all artist have this fear but I do feel with Abstract art is literally wearing your heart on your sleeve and asking people to judge your thoughts, feelings and imagination. It’s so scary. You know the age old comment of “oh my child can do that art”. People don’t understand that it takes me days to work through compositions and colour palettes. I was even more scared to have my art next to Jessie who is an extremely talented still life artist who has exhibited with some very impressive names. It really gives a contrast to our art and highlights my fears even more.
4. What is the best compliment you’ve received when someone sees your work?
The best compliment is when they describe a feeling they get from my artwork and that is the exact feeling I was feeling when I painting that piece. I love when my clients and I connect on an emotional level. This makes my heart sing the loudest.
5. How important is colour in your work?
Good question! I love colours and it makes me feel the most expressive and ‘me’ when I use moody greens and blues. I reach for these colours when my heart is heavy. I find that I use pink tones a lot when I’m feeling manic and can’t express quick enough. These pinks are often laced with greens and blues somewhere too because I just adore greens. I’ve also noticed I use muted down neutral tones mixed with purples, ash and whites when I’m annoyed with my husband. These muted colours make me feel a mixture of tremendous love yet the urgency to punch him in the face.
6. What’s one piece of advice you would give an emerging artist who is thinking of holding a SALA exhibition next year?
Do it!! Fear and all. Don’t hold back. Go big. Plan ahead and ask for help.
You can come and see their latest collection SAGA on display during August 2023 at Reform Distilling. I’ll see you at the opening night to celebrate these to fabulous artists.