James Giddy
When did you first become involved in the arts?
I was always personally involved in the arts but I only started to take it seriously at the end of 2013 when I got a few commission jobs.
When did you first become involved in the arts?
I was always personally involved in the arts but I only started to take it seriously at the end of 2013 when I got a few commission jobs.
|
|
Commissioned artworks are becoming a healthy income for artists (like yourself), how do you feel about working on or towards a brief for someone else rather than doing something yourself?
I find it easier in some regards as there’s a goal or end product in mind, often when trying to work on your own pieces, your proposed idea doesn’t always work out or isn’t as direct as it could be and the whole process slows down. That being said, the motivation definitely lacks with a lot of commission work which also draws out the process… Haha I think I’ll always prefer doing my own thing but I do enjoy commissions as well.
You have worked on some pretty large scale murals outdoors, one of the more recent ones was in the south west town of Dwellingup, how do you find converting a small sketch into a mural that goes into the three metre plus region?
I love it. I’ll always have more attachment to my smaller works but it’s a pretty great feeling to get a big piece going. It’s sometimes difficult to get the proportions bang on with the murals but it’s easy enough to adjust the sketch on the wall and once it is right, it’s all the same really, just with different paint and bigger brushes!
I find it easier in some regards as there’s a goal or end product in mind, often when trying to work on your own pieces, your proposed idea doesn’t always work out or isn’t as direct as it could be and the whole process slows down. That being said, the motivation definitely lacks with a lot of commission work which also draws out the process… Haha I think I’ll always prefer doing my own thing but I do enjoy commissions as well.
You have worked on some pretty large scale murals outdoors, one of the more recent ones was in the south west town of Dwellingup, how do you find converting a small sketch into a mural that goes into the three metre plus region?
I love it. I’ll always have more attachment to my smaller works but it’s a pretty great feeling to get a big piece going. It’s sometimes difficult to get the proportions bang on with the murals but it’s easy enough to adjust the sketch on the wall and once it is right, it’s all the same really, just with different paint and bigger brushes!
|
Are there any artists or blogs that you regularly draw inspiration from or does that drive come from somewhere else?
I’d probably say my only regular source of inspiration is nature. I can sit in an environment for hours taking in each aspect and learning from the natural shifts in colour and light. I always love looking at Andrew Hem’s work though and I’ll flick through books on impressionism when I have a moment. The recent exhibition “Dreams Aside” marks your third solo show, and only one of many times your work has been on the wall in a show. Have you become more confident about speaking to potential buyers about your work and the methods you used to create the work? Yew I’m having another solo show in March at the Zig Zag Gallery! I’d say the more I exhibit the more confident I become – although the nerves of putting work out to the public remain though, just have to stick to what your thoughts on it are. "I love painting at the best of times but you can’t go wrong when you get to do it while sharing a beer or two with friends."
|
|
Live art is becoming more and more popular in Perth, what do you think draws so many people to watch it and how are the confidence levels after doing it a few times?
I feel as though people are drawn to it because art’s one of those things that everyone would like to try their hand at. I guess going out and watching people paint is the best way to source inspiration and motivation to create. I love painting at the best of times but you can’t go wrong when you get to do it while sharing a beer or two with friends. A lot of artists struggle to price their work for exhibitions, have you produced enough work now to understand the market and what value you can/can’t put on your artwork? Is that all trial and error or would you do a quick calculation judging on the size of the piece and the time spent doing it? I guess it’s just a matter of putting it up for what you’re happy with. You don’t want to price it too high but on the other hand it’s never good to undersell your work. I guess it is just trial and error to work out that balance I’m not sure if I’ve hit it or not. |
"Every table and seat ever was taken, but I asked a lady to share her table anyway."
|
You were the first intern we had at The Corner Gallery, which played a huge part in delivering the events that we put on. How did you find your time at the gallery and has it helped you to get to where you are now?
I think being so immersed in creativity and the Perth art/music scene was a massive source of my inspiration that year and definitely developed me as a person and an artist. I feel as though I learnt a lot about running a business as well as a gallery space and also experienced success through putting in the hard work to achieve your goals. Looking at the gallery now and how far it’s come, it’s crazy to think I had a little part in it and it still feels like a second home.
What value would you put on studying a creative outlet at an institution i.e. university or TAFE?
I feel once you get to the more self-directed parts of the course, it really helps you with idea generation and discipline with research. You’re taught to bring your research and influence into your work, channelling personal motifs through a sophisticated manner. Not only is it good for this development, it forces you to push your creative boundaries and work in ways you never thought you would. The most beneficial part of art school is definitely learning to deal with critique, probably the thing that will bring most artists down in their careers.
I think being so immersed in creativity and the Perth art/music scene was a massive source of my inspiration that year and definitely developed me as a person and an artist. I feel as though I learnt a lot about running a business as well as a gallery space and also experienced success through putting in the hard work to achieve your goals. Looking at the gallery now and how far it’s come, it’s crazy to think I had a little part in it and it still feels like a second home.
What value would you put on studying a creative outlet at an institution i.e. university or TAFE?
I feel once you get to the more self-directed parts of the course, it really helps you with idea generation and discipline with research. You’re taught to bring your research and influence into your work, channelling personal motifs through a sophisticated manner. Not only is it good for this development, it forces you to push your creative boundaries and work in ways you never thought you would. The most beneficial part of art school is definitely learning to deal with critique, probably the thing that will bring most artists down in their careers.
|
|
"It’s generally loud, looks fuzzy and smells like beer… Always good fun!"
Have you got any plans for taking your creativity overseas? I know something weird happened in an airport recently, tell us about that.
Hopefully! I just spent a week of Jan painting walls and watercolours in Indo accompanied by Steve Browne. That airport run in was so whack, had just spent a week in Tassie and had met some really cool German backpackers at my hostel (ended up sharing most of my adventures with them) anyway, had got to Hobart airport, every table and seat ever was taken, but I asked a lady to share her table anyway. Turns out she was working with an art residency program between Australia and Berlin and after showing her my website and a few of the little watercolours I’d done in Tassie, she really encouraged me to keep in contact with her and look into the program! So in the long run I’m hoping to be considered for that and spend 12 months or so practicing in Berlin.
Okay Social media, Love it or hate it?
I have to love it but I really hate it. Without social media, gaining publicity and keeping people up to date would be another story. It’s really helped myself, and a lot of creative’s, jump the gun a bit with their small businesses. I don’t like that I have to update it all the time though haha.
How long would you spend scrolling down Instagram before calling it a day?
Hahaha maybe like 20 minutes, Instagram is my favourite of the media’s though.
I’m pretty strict with who I follow on there, if I see your lunch or you baby, I’m sorry but you’re out. Do you have to filter through all the shit before finding healthy (not food)/inspiring content, or are you pretty ruthless with the “following” culling?
I honestly feel I have too many people in my feed but would feel bad to cull so I just put up with it haha
Are you going to post photos of your baby when/if you have one?
Man, only if there’s a really good cause to.
Hopefully! I just spent a week of Jan painting walls and watercolours in Indo accompanied by Steve Browne. That airport run in was so whack, had just spent a week in Tassie and had met some really cool German backpackers at my hostel (ended up sharing most of my adventures with them) anyway, had got to Hobart airport, every table and seat ever was taken, but I asked a lady to share her table anyway. Turns out she was working with an art residency program between Australia and Berlin and after showing her my website and a few of the little watercolours I’d done in Tassie, she really encouraged me to keep in contact with her and look into the program! So in the long run I’m hoping to be considered for that and spend 12 months or so practicing in Berlin.
Okay Social media, Love it or hate it?
I have to love it but I really hate it. Without social media, gaining publicity and keeping people up to date would be another story. It’s really helped myself, and a lot of creative’s, jump the gun a bit with their small businesses. I don’t like that I have to update it all the time though haha.
How long would you spend scrolling down Instagram before calling it a day?
Hahaha maybe like 20 minutes, Instagram is my favourite of the media’s though.
I’m pretty strict with who I follow on there, if I see your lunch or you baby, I’m sorry but you’re out. Do you have to filter through all the shit before finding healthy (not food)/inspiring content, or are you pretty ruthless with the “following” culling?
I honestly feel I have too many people in my feed but would feel bad to cull so I just put up with it haha
Are you going to post photos of your baby when/if you have one?
Man, only if there’s a really good cause to.
|
If I was a hot chick, where would you take me for our first date?
Not 100% sure but maybe a well located café that provides the option to extend the date to various other activities (Here’s hoping), And our second date? Hahaha probably a picnic somewhere nice. El Smij and Steve Browne are both pretty legendary around Perth, you’ve worked with them on a few things now. How did those relationships start and what are some of the projects you’ve collaborated on? Man they’re the best dudes, I did a few live art things with both of them and when you paint together and get drunk together you form a bond. I have massive respect for both of them and it’s a bonus we get along so well. Smij and I have done a bunch of collabs on smaller works; crazy how well some of them work together – we’re currently collaborating on the album art for the Southern River Band. Steve and I spent a bunch of time painting murals together in Indo and I made a few additions to his piece at the Light up Leederville Festival haha. |
Can you tell us what a night out with Smij looks/sounds/smells like? Or can’t you remember?
It’s generally loud, looks fuzzy and smells like beer… Always good fun!
Villanova has been making quite a name for themselves, how has it been from the first day you went and bought that bass guitar, practising on the gallery stage after work to fighting off those damn groupies?
Hahah man I remember bringing J’aime to the music store with me to suss out the gear I was buying… Seems so recent. I’m really stoked with where we’ve got to and I’m really proud of the guys I’m playing with, music is such a great release and to share it with people is even better.
This will be the first time I can ask an artist one of usual band questions, which bands do you reckon are doing it good in Perth?
Man, the Perth scene is cranking at the moment! Can’t not love the Southern River Band, the Junglenaughts are sick, the Drools, Porn Crumpets, Goodnight Moon, the Durongs… man I love it, Moana, Red Engine and Riley Pearce (get his EP on Feb 19th, it has my art on it, great vibes) and so many more.
It’s generally loud, looks fuzzy and smells like beer… Always good fun!
Villanova has been making quite a name for themselves, how has it been from the first day you went and bought that bass guitar, practising on the gallery stage after work to fighting off those damn groupies?
Hahah man I remember bringing J’aime to the music store with me to suss out the gear I was buying… Seems so recent. I’m really stoked with where we’ve got to and I’m really proud of the guys I’m playing with, music is such a great release and to share it with people is even better.
This will be the first time I can ask an artist one of usual band questions, which bands do you reckon are doing it good in Perth?
Man, the Perth scene is cranking at the moment! Can’t not love the Southern River Band, the Junglenaughts are sick, the Drools, Porn Crumpets, Goodnight Moon, the Durongs… man I love it, Moana, Red Engine and Riley Pearce (get his EP on Feb 19th, it has my art on it, great vibes) and so many more.
What words of wisdom do you have to offer to any up and coming artists or younger people who want to start pursuing a creative endeavour?
Probably just to stick at it and try more of everything, make the most of every opportunity you get and practice your heart out to get the quality consistent!
Lastly, who would you let punch you square in the face?
I reckon I’d let my mum, she’s been putting up with my shit for way too long.
CATCH JAMES GIDDY'S WORK ON FEBRUARY 19TH AT THE CORNER GALLERY FOR THE GROUP EXHIBITION - "FINDERS KEEPERS",
Probably just to stick at it and try more of everything, make the most of every opportunity you get and practice your heart out to get the quality consistent!
Lastly, who would you let punch you square in the face?
I reckon I’d let my mum, she’s been putting up with my shit for way too long.
CATCH JAMES GIDDY'S WORK ON FEBRUARY 19TH AT THE CORNER GALLERY FOR THE GROUP EXHIBITION - "FINDERS KEEPERS",