Behind the Scenes with Lynn Mack

The Artist Talks Her Creative Process, Artistic Influences, & More

    10 
    Click to Favorite
    Click to Share
Published

Jan 22, 2020

Featured artists

Lynn Mack

In our series Behind the Scenes, artists answer questions about their creative process, philosophy, and more. This installment features Lynn Mack, a contemporary still life and landscape artist from Co. Wicklow, Ireland.

The artist, Lynn Mack

What are 5 things you have in your studio at all times?

1 box of rags. These are usually odd socks and having a large family means there are always lots of them. I get a kick out of finding new ways to use old things around the home.

Paints. I always have oil and acrylic paints ready to use. I only pick colours that I absolutely love so they always bring me joy when I have to choose a new colour combination for a new painting.

A hot cuppa. Being a mom of 3 juggling work, household and creative personal projects, coffee has been my pick up of late. However, a cup of strong black tea with milk is my first love and I often drink one even after a coffee!

A new canvas. Having a white, new canvas on hand inspires me to think about my next design or colour combination.

Music. I’m old school. I just love having a CD collection on hand to play when I create. Sometimes it’s REM, Mazzy Star, Grant Lee Buffalo or my favourite Irish band called Rend Collective.

What’s an image that makes you feel at home?

Wicklow, Ireland in Wintertime. Up to 5 years ago, I spent my life driving around those hills and winding roads on weekend road trips with my family. It’s home because it reminds me of a feeling of home, being cosy warm inside the car while outside the wind howled and it was freezing.

Who, if anyone, do you show your in-progress work to?

Usually it’s my kids who are 16, 15 and 12. They have grown up painting and drawing alongside me over the years so they have seen it all. If I’m lucky, something I’m working on will inspire them and they’ll do an exact copy. It means they are always progressing and learning new skills and styles alongside me which makes me so proud.

How influential is your personal history?

My paintings are completely influenced by my personal life story alongside the environment where I live. I document patterns, colour and designs from nature around me as I process living in a new country. Working in Aged Care and emigrating can be difficult emotionally to navigate through so Art for me is a way of purposefully expressing and seeking out the beauty I see around me and displaying it for others to enjoy.

What’s an image that represents creative flow?

Early WoodblockThis is a A4 wood block pattern of mine from 5 years ago. I can tell from it that I was in the flow hand- printing each square and I was most probably working out if I could keep going and make it into a wallpaper or wrapping paper repeat.

What do you feel when you look at your past work?

Usually I feel a sense of familiarity, like meeting an old friend again! It’s kind of like “Hey look at you! -it’s been ages since we hung out!” Then I get critical and think what I should have done to make it look better or more finished!

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Before I got married and had kids, an older work colleague told me to always keep something back for myself. This helped me throughout the crazy busy time of being a full time stay at home mom of 3 under 6, to always have some painting or drawing going on in the background for me to think about and give me energy.

Is it better for an artist to be an optimist or pessimist?

In my opinion an optimist. A great, happy, positive attitude will get you far in life. I’d much rather be a radiator than a drain!

What’s an image that represents success to you?

Success is having that happy feeling of giving life your best shot and having loving family around to enjoy the moments with. Like a warm Summers’ day kicking the water and feeling free!

If you could own the exclusive rights to any specific color, which would you choose (and why)? (i.e. Anish Kapoor owns Vantablack)

I’d like to create and own Cameldusk. It would be a sandy, pink colour with a desert vibe!

This is a colour often use in my paintings of Adelaide. The earth here has pink glacial rocks and very sandy soil.

What would you be if you weren’t an artist?

If I was not an artist I’d definitely be a hairdresser. I’ve always loved cutting, dying and styling my hair and my families hair. In fact, I still change my hair regularly and haven’t stopped yet even though I’m in my forties! No wonder people often don’t recognise me as it’s always different to the last time I saw them.

What is your favorite movie of all time and why?

Marley and me! I just adore this movie, the chaos and fun, sadness and changes that all happen in family life. My kids would love a dog so this movie inspires me and scares me away a little too!

Featured Playlist

Blush and Blue

32 
Click to Favorite
Send to Meural