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When artist Kirsty Anderson’s phone rang after a rental inspection, her heart plummeted. She thought she was in trouble for doing her painting on the carpet. But no. The agent was so captivated by the piece Kirsty was working on that she was offering to buy it. From that first sale, Kirsty knew she wanted to turn her part-time hobby into a way of life.
Kirsty Anderson
“That feeling of having someone wanting your creation so badly that they have to have it is addictive,” she says. For Kirsty, the sense of freedom that her art brings is also a great stress release. “It’s something I do 100 per cent for myself, without worrying about the outside world. I just zone out and spill all my feelings onto the paper,” she reveals.
Sunshine Kid (57 x 76cm, Watercolour on paper)
The rugged beauty of the Australian landscape is Kirsty’s inspiration, evoking memories of her childhood growing up in a small country town. “I’m not just painting gum leaves, I’m painting the smell of gum leaves at dusk, sitting around the fire with my family at my grandparents’ house,” she says. A love of art is a family affair. Kirsty’s father taught both her and her sister how to paint gum trees as young children. “It’s one of my fondest memories growing up,” she says.
Paradise Bunch (57 x 76cm, Watercolour on paper)
Kirsty’s great aunt also nurtured her raw talent. “She inspired me to constantly explore and push my limits.” This talented artist dabbled in a diverse array of painting mediums before she began selling digital artwork and logo designs for business. “But something was missing, and I started craving the feeling of brush and paint,” she recalls. Kirsty let her heart lead the way and instead of reaching for her acrylics, she dug out the watercolour palettes she had tucked away for years. “It was like magic; something just clicked inside my head that said I was on the right path,” she says.
Petunia (57 x 76cm, Watercolour on paper)
In January 2018, Kirsty painted her first complete watercolour and she hasn’t looked back. Her works are Australian themed with a mix of vibrant colours and delicate detail that draws the viewer in. Kirsty’s home is a timeless blend of coastal and classic; a neutral colour palette is the perfect backdrop to showcase her artworks. “They are the stars and I don’t want my furnishings to compete,” she says.
Picked Up (76 x 57cm, Watercolour on paper)
In the future she’d love to do a solo exhibition and collaborate with other artists. “But my all-time dream is to one day own a gallery/florist/ homewares shop filled with beautiful things.”
For this emerging dynamic artist, you can’t help but think the best really is yet to come.
