Jane Suffield

Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I was born in Kenya, East Africa, migrated to Australia when I was 7 years old and have some vivid memories of the wild-life. This love of animals has pervaded all my art and it is my main source of inspiration. Now, living on the beautiful Mornington Peninsula, in Victoria I love walking on the beach and in the national parks.

What is your favourite drink?
My favourite drink is tea, tea and more tea. I like it fairly weak, so Earl Grey is my staple ‘tipple’.

What inspired you to start painting/drawing?
I started painting and drawing with much encouragement from my mother who also paints and draws. She is also an amazing, self-taught embroiderer and can make anything just by looking at a photo. I used to make my own clothes, but these days, I love experimenting with natural dyes and especially with indigo. Textiles are so varied and the sensuous nature of them is very compelling.

Giving artists a platform to ‘get out there and be noticed’ is invaluable. I am still working full-time, but in a couple of years I’ll retire and be able to have lots of ‘playtime’ in my studio.

What advice would you give other artists/creatives starting out?
For those young (and not so young ones), be passionate about what you do. I know that sounds a bit cliched these days, but loving what makes you excited creatively is the best feeling. Also, learn as much as you can from other, books, the internet, galleries; keep looking and refine the way you look at other people’s art so that you really ‘see’ what they are trying to say. Ask questions – mostly other artists are only too happy to share, at least that is my experience with the textile community.

You can read more about Jane Suffield here.