Inspired by culture, language and travel and fuelled by mural projects, Gold Coast-based artist Thea Skelsey creates bold and defining statements that tie into coastal landscape and lifestyle.
With a background in graphic design, Thea embarked on her art practice in 2019, driven by a lifelong yearning for creative exploration.
As a self-professed creative kid, it was only a matter of time before Thea found herself immersed in the world of art.
However, her journey didn’t stop at traditional art forms alone; it also led her to delve into art handling and embroidery, expanding her artistic repertoire.
“I find inspiration in a multitude of experiences, whether it’s travel, moving house, a new relationship, finding a new interest or even something that fascinates me,” says Thea.
“The more uncomfortable I am, the more it affects my emotional state, which is then processed through creating.”
Describing her artistic style as abstract, Thea incorporates elements of geometry and cubism into her work.
With eye-catching and effortless designs, Thea’s exacting brushstrokes of curves, lines and waves form her distinctive style.
“My artistic style is forever evolving, I don’t feel I’ve found my style as such,” she says.
“I distil complex ideas into their most simplistic form, whether it’s capturing the essence of a human face or encapsulating the act of taking a breath.
“Predominantly, I work with acrylic on cotton or fabric, though my work is slowly moving towards canvas.
“I also sew any abandoned artworks and transform them into wearable art, such as tote bags or bucket hats.”
Throughout Thea’s artistic journey, she has had the opportunity to work on notable projects, with murals holding a special place in her heart.
“My favourite projects are always murals, I love painting large scale,” she says.
“There’s a gorgeous little café in Evan’s Head called Sunny Boy, and they let me run wild on the outside of their café and it’s a continual work in progress.
“They have just opened a cellar in Byron, where I was painting the underside of a staircase; these kinds of projects are always good fun.”
Creative blocks and challenges are an inevitable part of any artistic pursuit, and Thea handles them by giving herself space and time for rest after completing significant projects.
“Sometimes I won’t go into the studio for weeks,” says Thea.
“I think it’s important to not rely solely on one avenue of creativity, having two or three areas allows time for rest and it’s taken me years to come to terms with this.”
Although Thea has created numerous remarkable pieces, there are always a few that stand out from the rest.
“There are always pieces I’m extra proud of, or that feel really good to me,” she says.
“It’s just a level of satisfaction when finishing, I can tell it’s a good one and usually my audience will respond strongly to them as well.”
Thea’s work can be seen in places such as The Design Files, and she has a number of projects in the pipeline.
“I’m looking forward to doing some more mural work and I have a few projects lined up,” she says.
“After a big start to the year, I’m in my rest period at the moment, but I feel the urge to be in some group shows, so we’ll see what happens.”
For aspiring artists embarking on their own artistic journeys, Thea offers a timeless piece of advice.
“Stay true to yourself and what lights you up,” she says.
