A Chat with Artist Joanne Mahoney

1. What is your preferred medium and why?
   Watercolour is what I first learned to use and therefore am more confident with that medium.
    
2. How would you describe your work?
   My work is becoming more varied. When I first started painting I was very focused on the coastal environment I live in. Now after a number of inspirational teachers I am learning to use different techniques and media. I do love accidents that I can work on to turn into a piece of art.
    
3. When inspiration hits how do you channel that into your work, what’s the process?
   I have to start immediately or the momentum is lost, sometimes it’s notes or a sketch that I can get back to later.
    
4. What inspires you generally?
   The coastal environment for its colours and patterns and textures. After living in Asia for several years I do love things oriental.
    
5. Can you remember one of the first things you created? What makes it memorable?
   In 1984 I was invited along to a Chinese Brush painting class. I was given a brush, ink and rice paper and created a painting I still have hanging in my home today. I discovered I could paint!!!
    
6. What, in your opinion, is the hardest step in creating a masterpiece?
   Putting the first marks on paper or canvas.
    
7. Tell me a little bit about your relationship with art and being creative?
   I had an aunt who introduced me to the art world at a very young age and with her influence and over time I discovered I could be creative too.
    
8. Which artists do you admire, past and present? Why?  What draws you to their work?
   I love Henri Matisse, Gauguin, William Turner, Picasso. I also admire Helen Frankenthaler, Howard Hodgkin, Cy Twombly.
    
9. What are you working on at the moment?
   I am experimenting with monoprinting and encaustic works.
    
10. How do you know when a work is finished?
    I’m never really sure.
     
11. Tell me something you like about The Little Gallery in Tairua and why you chose to display your work there?
    I love the spaces in the gallery and the way the many pieces of art are so well displayed. I have been involved with the Little Gallery since it first opened and just wanted to be part of the enthusiastic team that have helped start this gallery and make it what it is.

 

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