ARTIST INTERVIEW: CHELSEY FOSKETT
WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?
I paint fluid art because I find it to be a very therapeutic release, almost meditative. When I get stuck into a painting I’m in a trance, pouring everything I have onto the canvas. It’s also a challenge, I’m constantly progressing and trying new recipes, techniques, seeing what works and understanding the process. I’m always moving forward and trying to be better, if I get stuck doing one thing too much I get bored easily, that’s why my art isn’t just one style.
HOW DO YOU WORK?
Well I’m lucky enough to have a large sun lit living room attached to my bedroom which I have converted into an art studio. Which I spend a better part of the day in. It’s filled with an abundance of plants and has all the art supplies I could ever need with a very large table my partner built especially for me to paint on.
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY? (IF ANYTHING)
I attempt to capture earthy elements inspired by geodes and aerial shots of natural landscapes. I try and create a sense of boldness but also have a component of flow. I love creating pieces that each individual person can have their own experience with.
WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND?
(HOW DID YOU START MAKING ART?/WHY DO YOU MAKE ART?)
I’ve always been pretty creative but just didn’t realise my full potential or think much about it. Art was just one of those things that every person does at some point in their life and tries out, or is forced to do at school. Looking back though, my art teachers always loved me and I came first in an art competition in 6th grade. As an adult though it wasn’t until a few years ago, I was sitting at my friends house (whose an artist) and was about to see a girlfriend of mine whose birthday it was and I hadn’t gotten her a gift and I didn’t want to show up empty handed. My friend suggested I painted her something before I go, so I did. I sat by the lake on his property and used a crystal I had as inspiration. Because I had absolutely no idea what else to paint and I’ve always loved rocks and minerals. The colors were dark blue, with a light aqua and white veins running through it. I added some gold leaf and some splatters of white and black. Quickly put the ‘still wet’ painting in my car and drove to kmart to grab a frame so it looked somewhat better than a wet piece of paper and gave it to her an hour later. She loved it and so did everyone at her birthday party. So from then on I started creating more pieces and was getting more and more positive feedback and I haven’t stopped painting since!
IS THERE ANY ONE THING THAT IS INTEGRAL TO YOUR WORK?
No, and I think that’s why I love acrylic pouring and doing what I do is because it’s a non-traditional way of painting. There’s no strict guidelines on how the paintings should turn out, rather trusting the movement and flow of the paint.
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
Jackson Pollock is probably my favorite, I very much started my style out that way. Just throwing paint around my studio, getting it everywhere! I was always covered head to toe in paint after a session and had sheets covering all the floors and walls. I love how bold his pieces are, just so powerful and expressive but at the same time effortless. There are just so many layers to all his pieces its hard not to get lost in them.
IS THERE AN ARTWORK HERE YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF? WHY?
There’s not a particular individual piece that comes to mind but it’s pretty much every new piece I create that I’m most proud of because I can see myself getting growing and getting better.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN A WORK IS FINISHED?
I never know when a piece is done! It’s a constant struggle of mine, I always think I’m done and go to take a breather, just to come back and play with it a little more until I think it’s perfect or until I can’t do anything else to it because the paint is starting to dry.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
The people around me inspire me, I have the most amazing friends in my life and the most supportive partner who motivates me every day to be the best version of myself.
IS THERE AN ELEMENT OF ART YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH MOST? WHY?
I’ve done a lot of work with fluorescent acrylic paint which is UV reactive so it glows under a black light. I love working with it because you get this beautiful psychedelic fusion of colours. It transforms the painting completely and it’s so much fun comparing the painting in normal light to it under a black light.
HOW DO YOU SEEK OUT OPPORTUNITIES?
Self-promotion is really all I’ve been doing and just seeing what opportunities present themselves to me. Once I’m more established and have a website running which will be my virtual portfolio I plan on reaching out to business’s and collectors and showing them what I have to offer.
HOW DO YOU PRICE YOUR WORK?
I price my work very fairly; some have mentioned I under value my stuff so I guess that’s something I have to work on. But it’s hard to put a price tag on the things I’ve created. You have to ask yourself, what’s this worth? I generally just charge based on the size of the canvas.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR?
Creating beautiful pieces and inspiring others to do so too
IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BUY YOUR WORK OR HIRE YOU, HOW DO THEY REACH YOU?
The best way to contact me is via Instagram @jellyfish.inkk until I get my website up and running.
I also have all my available pieces on Etsy and if you’d like to contact me more directly you can reach me on my email. All links below.
www.instagram.com/jellyfish.inkk/
www.facebook.com/jellyfish.inkk
