It seems like a lifetime ago, but earlier this year, Grange, Jeanie and I had the pleasure of attending Ellen McKenna’s ‘Feeling Colours’ exhibition, which was part of NGV’s Melbourne Design Week.
It was a special exhibition for us because it was the first one that Jeanie ever attended, and that we visited as a family. It was also the only exhibition we’ve had a chance to get to this year. Given that immersing myself in art exhibits is one of my most favourite things to do, I would go as far as to say it was one of my favourite moments of 2021. It was short and sweet but I have fond memories of the event.
Another reason I loved the event, was that I got to meet the artist herself. I’d learned about Ellen and her vibrant vivacious art last year when I judged The Design Files Design Awards, and it was such a pleasure to get to chat to her about her work. I’ve been wanting to feature her ever since, and well…. I finally got my act together.
Based in Melbourne, Ellen is both an artist and pattern designer who’s modernist aesthetic, features textured line works, abstract spots and bold shapes, with a strong focus on colour.
Inspired by multidisciplinary design elements from the early to mid 20th Century, Ellen’s aesthetic is also shaped by her lifelong study and love of the arts which includes graduating with a degree in Visual and Performing Arts from the Victorian College of the Arts.
Her feeling colours exhibition featured below was an exploration between colour and emotion.
“I really wanted to explore the connection between colour and human emotions. By immersing the visitor in the ‘Feeling Colours’ world I want to inspire them to create and explore colour havens in their own environments – community, businesses and homes.”, says Ellen.
At the exhibition hosted by Bluethumb Gallery in Collingwood, each room featured canvas artworks, textile / pattern design and furniture that Ellen upcycled and upholstered herself. Truly immersing the viewer in a colourful world full of optimism.
When looking at Ellen’s art one can’t help but feel uplifted with joy. An emotion we all crave in what has been a trying couple of years.
Read on below for my interview with Ellen as we discuss her diverse creative background, and how she found inspiration in the current climate.
Can you tell us a little about yourself, your background and what led you to becoming an artist?
I didn’t find my passion for design until later in my life. In my past creative lives I have been a dancer (ballet/contemporary), a singer, an actor and a pianist. I was fortunate to go to a performing arts high school and there I was exposed to many genres of art, design and performance.
I got into design when I started colouring some vintage photos on Photoshop for a project my parents were working on for their business. From there I started manipulating photos for standalone prints for a kids clothing business I started and then as time passed I worked out how to create repeat patterns in Photoshop and started moving into the surface design industry. A few years ago, I had a desire to start painting larger works and that was when I moved into canvas fine art as well as the surface design.
How would you describe your work?
Apart from being abstract, I don’t really think too much about where my work sits in terms of sub genres. I prefer to let the viewer place it wherever they like. I enjoy people seeing and interpretating my work differently. At the moment, I don’t really feel like I need to place it in a box.
Can you give us some insight into your process? How do you create your artworks?
For my surface / fabric design patterns, I paint on canvas in acrylic paint or in gouache on paper and then I take those designs and transfer them to photoshop, via scanning or photography, where I manipulate them into repeat patterns.
For my canvas art, I either start with a pre-planned colour scheme based on traditional colour theory concepts or I might just let the colours lead me. I just start with a colour I like and begin with that. The first shape and the first colour inspires the next shape and colour. Then the next shape and the next colour inspires the next, and so on and so on, until the canvas is filled. My process in mostly instinctive and I’m just guided by what looks and feels right to me most of the time.
What does a day in the studio look like for you?
A day in the studio can be quite varied for me and the list is long! I could be doing one or all of these things:
Painting. Mixing paints. Varnishing. Photographing work. Scanning. Photoshop – pattern repeats. Sewing. Drafting dress patterns. Marketing and social media. Cat Cuddling. Reviewing fabric samples.
Workshopping names for fabrics or paintings with my 10-year old son – he comes up with some great ‘out of the box’ names! And Planning upcoming exhibition layouts and themes.
What inspires your artworks?
I find inspiration all around me, but to narrow it down I would say 20th Century fashion, art, architecture, music and advertising. The Bauhaus movement and the mid-century Scandinavian movement are full of beautiful shapes and colours but it’s more of a feeling that these artforms give me, that inspires me. I’m also inspired by colour itself and how colours interact with each other – and the emotions they bring up in us.
What are some resources you use for inspiration?
I collect all kinds of art and fashion books – mostly catalogue books from the NGV exhibitions and just flipping through a few pages of these has an instant effect on my creative mood. I’m also intrigued by documentaries about fashion designers and architects. I think it’s the creative energy they exude that lures me in.
2020 was such a challenging year for everyone? Can you tell us about how Covid affected your practice and what changes you’ve made for 2021 if any?
Fine art and fabric, where I predominately work, where very lucky to have been in higher demand during the lockdowns, so I actually found 2020 to be my best design year yet. People needed cheering up and needed something to do so they bought art and fabric for sewing. I was so fortunate to be able to present my Art to Fashion exhibition in February 2020 and then the Feeling Colours exhibition now in March 2021.
I think the covid lock down got me thinking more about colour in people’s homes. In the middle of the Covid lockdown, the brief came through for submissions for the NGVs Melbourne design week 2021 – Design the world you want. I knew, from spending a lot of time at home myself, that colour played such an important role in how I was feeling. Being surrounded by my own work – all the colours – brought relief. I started thinking around the idea of consciously designing colour filled spaces in our homes and communities. How that could cater for the emotional needs of others and promotehealthier mental wellbeing. I was thinking with more people than ever working from home, let’s make those spaces, inviting and rejuvenating by understanding and promoting colour.
Tell us about some of the people in the industry who inspire you and why?
I’m a huge fan of designers and brands – Orla Keily, Marimekko, Ken Done and Lucienne Day. In terms of locals I’m endlessly inspired by Nerida Hansen of Nerida Hansen Textiles and Chole Kerr of Next State Print. Both women fascinate me in terms of their entrepreneurial sprits and minds and their ability to think outside the box. I’m also visually inspired by Interior Design studios – Flack, YSG and Sans Arc.
What would your dream project/collaboration be?
I would be pretty excited to collaborate with a clothing label on a whole collection – that would be amazing. I’ve also started thinking about the idea of collaborating with furniture designers / companies. Within my Feeling Colours Exhibition for Melbourne Design Week, I started working with upcycling furniture – repainting and reupholstering – and the results where pretty interesting and bold. I really enjoyed that.
What are some of your favourite pastimes?
I really enjoy sewing and creating new clothing by piecing together and altering paper patterns. Occasionally I will use an original vintage sewing pattern which is sometimes a challenge because they don’t always include all the instructions in the pattern, like they do these days. They just assume you know how it all should fit together but I always learn a lot when use these. I haven’t been able to do it much during Covid, but Swing Dancing is one of my favourite pastimes. Specifically, Balboa dancing which is a sub-genre of Swing Dancing and originates from Southern California in the 1920’s, 30’s and 40’s.
Where is your favourite place to shop in Melbourne?
I’m actually an avid Op Shopper. There are so many amazing things to find in Op shops. I really enjoy mixing new and vintage/ retro second clothing and in Op shops there is always the chance of finding something you have never seen before. Not just clothes – but I also have a soft spot for vintage teacups and crockery sets as well. I also like to shop from independent makers / creators for clothes and accessories.
What’s next for Ellen McKenna?
More exhibitions, I hope! I just love the whole process of putting together an exhibition from start to finish. I’m also doing some interior design studies, which will add another segment into my creative studio – with textiles, art and interiors all working hand in hand. Also, the additional skills that I’m hoping to learn from my studies, like Sketch up, AutoCAD and Revit will help me to further develop my exhibition planning skills and the ability to translate what is in my head to something that others can see in detail.