Welcome Redbubble’s Newest Artists-In-Residence
Things move quickly around here. As the exhibition of the work of our first batch of artists-in-residents kicked off last week at Made In House, we announced the newest three artists to be moving into to our Melbourne office for our second Redbubble Residency.
Get to know each of our new roommates below.
George Rose decided at a young age to dedicate her life to making everything she saw prettier. She spends most of her time on ladders painting murals, hand-lettering signs (and inappropriate text), installing sculptures, or pasting up giant illustrations. While most as home with a paintbrush in hand, but also likes the feel of a pen, spray can, or Wacom tablet.
After graduating, George decided to throw caution to the wind and abandon her formal graphic design training, opting instead to pursue a multidisciplinary art practice. George enjoys long walks on the beach and juxtaposing contrasting themes within her work. She blames her short attention span on her lack of one clear artistic practice, yet enjoys the fractured nature of her multiple pastimes.
1. Describe your work in 7 words or less.
Serious about taking things lightly.
2. Why did you apply to become an RB resident, and what do you hope to achieve while in the RB residency program?
I started going to RB hosted talks this year and really loved the idea behind the company as well as the RB community. I was looking for an excuse to lock myself away and focus on producing work of my own, as opposed to commissioned work, and the RB residency presented just that opportunity! I was so excited when I caught wind of the program, I have so many ideas that I want to action and my aim is that I can finish them all in my time with RB. I tend to work pretty well with deadlines, so hopefully having an end date to the residency will give me the incentive I need to make the most of the next 3 months.
3. Name a fear of yours.
Spiders. It’s irrational. I wont let anyone kill them around me, but by god they give me the heebeegeebees.
4. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I secretly really enjoy action films… and those terrible dance films.
5. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger artist self?
Past younger artist George: Don’t be so scared, find out what you love and don’t be afraid to commit to it, have fun and try not to worry about what other people think.
Melbourne-based visual artist/graphic designer Steve Leadbeater sees beauty and mystery in the everyday. He explores his ‘narrow’ suburban experience with broad appeal and dark humour, often employing typographic form and the most basic of materials. Regardless of discipline, his intention remains; to inspire others to think, feel and even to act differently – something he seems to achieve with remarkable ease. He also writes in the third person for credibility.
1. Describe your work in 7 words or less.
Art designed to inspire.
2. Why did you apply to become an RB resident, and what do you hope to achieve while in the RB residency program?
To challenge myself, progress as an artist and to connect with a wider audience.
3. Name a fear of yours.
People using my fears against me.
4. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I don’t always follow my own advice.
5. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger artist self?
“Sometimes narrowing your focus can widen your opportunities” – Tobias Sloane.
And for god’s sake, be careful with the lawnmower!
Fiona Skipper is a 27 year old artist from Dunedin, New Zealand, with a background in illustrative and tattoo art. She likes to focus on female characters interacting with nature, danger, and injury. Most of her influences are figurative and fantasy artists and illustrators like Justin Cherry, Yoshitaka Amano, Brom, Nomi Chi, Martin Emond, Wayne Barlowe, Beksinski, and Trevor Brown.
1. Describe your work in 7 words or less.
Soft and gentle but ugly and visceral
2. Why did you apply to become an RB resident, and what do you hope to achieve while in the RB residency program?
It’s an insanely good opportunity to focus pretty much 100% on developing ideas instead of the weekend painting, completely sporadic, scatterbrained approach. Plus, getting to put work in a show, meeting people outside my little Internet bubble, learning what works/doesn’t work on products, learning to design accordingly, and getting to see my work on products in person!
3. Name a fear of yours.
Parasites and blindness.
4. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I wish I had cool secret abilities like being able to speak Mandarin, play a musical instrument, or something, but all I have is 900 hours logged in Skyrim :/
5. If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger artist self?
Go to some art classes. Figuring stuff out the hard way kinda sucks, leaves you with patchy knowledge, and takes one billion years! There’s no shame in shortcuts.
Please help us welcome our new residence in the comments below.
The best way to keep up with the residents latest creations and all the updates, is by signing up to our events newsletter and following our artists’ Instagram.
