‘Black Hill’ – Oil Pastel, Vanessa De Lacy.
‘Blue Whale’ – Oil Pastel, Vanessa De Lacy.
‘Hemingway’ – Oil Pastel, Vanessa De Lacy.
‘Love’ – Oil Pastel, Vanessa De Lacy.
‘Colanders’ – Oil Pastel, Vanessa De Lacy.
‘Yellow Tree’ – Oil Pastel, Vanessa De Lacy.
‘Floating Girl’ – Oil Pastel, Vanessa De Lacy.
As I wound my way up the side of Mount Macedon to meet with resident artist Vanessa De Lacy, I was reminded of The Heidelberg School of artists and the influence the Australian bush had on their works. Whilst Vanessa doesn’t paint landscapes plein-air in the impressionist tradition, she has created a very personal space amidst the mountain’s tall timbers and fresh air where she can think and create as the mood takes her.
After completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in painting from RMIT Melbourne, Vanessa spent ten years in animal welfare as a Veterinary Nurse and had two beautiful daughters before finally returning to her art. Vanessa now creates both her signature oil pastel works and a collection of hand-made colourful, costumed characters in her home-studio. Signed prints and costumed characters are available to purchase via her Etsy store and Vanessa welcomes commissioned pieces too.
You’ll see in one of the photos below that Vanessa has a wonderful tattoo on the inside of her right forearm. Vanessa got her daughters to draw a picture to give to the tattooist. The tattoo symbolises the sense of freedom and endless possibilities that derive from unbridled creativity and allowing yourself to dream large. How Lovely! Enjoy! x
Tell us a little bit about your background – what path led you to where you are now?
A lot of mistakes and mis-steps have landed me where I find myself today. Self-discovery can take a long time and I am still learning and trying to figure out what I need to do and where I’m going. I grew up in Kyneton, but spent most of my 20’s and 30’s in Melbourne doing a BA in fine arts and getting into trouble. I moved back to the Macedon Ranges after having my first child, as it is where my family live and it’s a great area to raise children.
Tell us about ‘Vanessa De Lacy the artist’. How did you come to develop your very distinct style of art?
My style has developed very slowly over time without too much deliberate thought! As I think art should. My work comes from my imagination, random thoughts and ideas that can set me off on a painting or drawing of some kind.
Can you give us a little insight into your creative processes? What mediums do you use?
I mainly use oil pastels, I find them very easy to use and the finish has a tactile and amazing appearance.
Where or who or what do you draw your inspiration from?
A lot of inspiration comes from my daughters’ drawings and the strange thoughts and ideas that pop into my head.
As well as your illustrative artwork, tell us about your handmade mythical-looking soft costume creatures.
These critters just developed on their own. They are similar to the people/characters I draw and, like my pictures, I make them up as I go.
You have an Etsy store selling your artwork. Can people also buy/see your original pieces or commission you to do a particular piece?
Everything’s for sale! I do a lot of commission work, which is a challenge in that you are thinking of the final product rather than just letting a picture develop on its own, especially if the client has been quite specific in their brief.
You grew up in the country town of Kyneton and now have a home & studio in Macedon. Have you lived elsewhere?
All over Melbourne during my student years then down at St Andrews beach on the back beach of Rye.
What does a typical day in the life of Vanessa De Lacy ‘The Artist’ look like; from when you wake to when you go to sleep?
Coffee, get the kids to school, check messages etc. More coffee, a lot of procrastination, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, lots of thinking. I draw sporadically, ideas come at odd times so I find it hard to just sit down and work unless it is a commissioned piece. Towards the end of the day, a couple of glasses of red!
Do you consider yourself to be a ‘Countryphile’? Do you love country life? Why?
I’m a very private person so the country life suits me, I can hide away and work and not see any one for weeks.
What aspect of country life are you loving MOST at the moment?
The seasons. Macedon in Autumn is just beautiful
What is the most CHALLENGING aspect of country life so far?
I wouldn’t say anything about country life is challenging. I have everything I need here. Maybe better internet connection!
Do you prefer Coffee or Tea? Your favourite country café and why?
Coffee, coffee, coffee. I don’t touch tea. Everyday, you can find me at Sitka in Macedon. It’s just around the corner and the staff are ace.
What and where was the last great meal you enjoyed/shared in the country?
Sitka does a fab Eggs Florentine.
Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?
In bed, for as long as I can.
Would you ENCOURAGE others to live a country life? Why/why not?
Yes. The beauty, space and quiet of the country
What ADVICE would you give those dreaming of making a TREE CHANGE?
Just do it, but stay close enough to the city so you can have a city hit!
What can we expect NEXT from you in the future?
More random art and working on a children’s book with my dad, which is exciting.
What would be your dream project?
Combining my art with animal welfare in some way.
Can you list for us 5 specific things you turn to/do when you need of a ‘dose’ of city life?
I’m so close to the city I can pop in whenever I like. I don’t need to do anything specific, I have the best of both worlds at my doorstep.
Vanessa De Lacy
Artist
www.vanessadelacy.com.au
