Say hello to Australian artist, Ness Lockyer (@nesslockyerart)! She’s a multifaceted creator, skilled with loads of mediums from oil paints to ceramics. Get inspired by her take on creating, where so-called ‘rules’ are non-existent!
What’s an art medium you love and one that’s more of a challenge?
Oooo! Thats tricky. I adore oil paints and ceramics. They are mediums that always push me to try different techniques. I feel I am always learning with those two. Graphite is a long, long-time love for me too. I have also started to use a bit more charcoal in my graphite work. I love the softness it brings. I tend to take on challenges head on and find my own way with whatever material it is. I do love a challenge!
Being self-taught, how did you build up the courage to try different mediums?
My parents were brilliant. As a small child they would always be giving me different pens, pencils and paints to play with and try out. Mum would always tell me to “put the rule book down and find your own way”, and that's what I have always done. I hate creative rules. All of my work since I was small has been self-taught – I make my own rules and find my own way until I am happy. They have always encouraged me with that and I am so thankful they did.
Was there a big learning curve or did it come naturally to you?
I’ve always been like this! My parents said I could draw uncanny things even as a toddler that would look like what it was intended to be – that's why they encouraged it so much. I come from a creative family, so it was always a natural thing in our house. Thankfully, I have never had to try hard, but I do love to push to make it better. I am always trying to make my work better… as a creative, I don’t think that ever stops does it?
What’s your favourite season?
Definitely Spring and Autumn. I feel like you get a little bit of all the seasons in those two and the colours are stunning. I’m not a huge fan of the heat, so these two seasons fare me well. It’s my Scottish blood. Ha!
Where do you look for creative inspiration?
I always have something to sketch or write notes on with me. Funnily enough, I find my inspiration from interiors. I have always loved styling and decorating, and this tends to fuel me. The natural world is always an inspiration as well. I have mountains of sketchbooks filled with ideas. Some are over 30 years old!
Growing up, did you come from a creative family?
Yes. Both my parents were very talented. Dad could make anything from wood just by looking at it. My Mum was gifted with decorating and painting and my sisters are great drawers and painters – one was an old-style ticket/sign writer back in the day and I would watch her create for hours. My Brother is great with his hands too. One of my uncles was a well-respected architect in Scotland and received a medal from Queen Elizabeth II for his work.
What creative project were you nervous about starting that turned out better than you imagined?
My first Archibald Prize entry for this year (2024). I have wanted to enter The Archibald since I was about 12 but never had the confidence to do it. I agonised over that painting, and I love how it turned out even though I didn’t get in this year. I will keep entering each year now – it's a bucket-list thing for me. I have already started on next year's one – stay tuned!
How do you tackle art block?
Go for a drive to get a coffee and do something totally different from whatever is happening in the studio. Generally, visiting one of my favourite homeware stores is enough to freshen me up, or a date with the gym and some heavy weights.
What does a Friday night look like for you?
Fridays are usually a painting day for me. I have a few days a week for my ceramic work and packing orders, and I always try and have one full day to paint. It doesn’t always work that way, but I try to make it happen. Then we have family over for Friday night dinner and a few drinks with a game. It's a really relaxing day for me.
If you had a time machine, where and when would you go?
Back to my school days to give myself the guts to follow my creative path. I hid my work away for about 20 years. It was just a lack of confidence, even though I was in the top 2% for art at school. It was silly to think I wasn’t enough! So, I would like to go back and tell myself to ‘wake up and get on with it’.
What are your tips on how to improve at art?
Don’t follow “the rules”. Have a go at whatever medium you are playing with and do just that – play with it. You might find something totally unexpected with it that could become “your thing”.
The other thing I suggest would be to keep trying. If you keep experimenting and trying different techniques while playing with mediums, you will get better. That goes for anything really!
Learn more about @nesslockyerart by checking out our gallery, where her art journey is featured! Whether you want to try your hand at oil paints or get your ideas out on a sketchbook, embrace the your inner artist and just have a go!
If you decide to get arty, #montmarteart or tag us @montmarteart on Instagram or Facebook. We’d love to see what you come up with!
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