ARTIST + ILLUSTRATOR KIRSTY DAVIDSON






Travel has played a large role in the life of Kirsty Davidson. After studying interior architecture and design at RMIT, she set off on a big adventure overseas. On return to her native Melbourne Kirsty set up a shop selling wares sourced from across the globe. During this time she also turned to creating artworks inspired by her journeys through Africa. That was 10 years ago and today she dedicates most of her time to her art practice. Limited edition prints are available of some of her works on her site

Which five words best describe you? Dreamer, passionate, mum, resourceful, experimental.

How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? After studying Interior Architecture and Design at RMIT over a decade ago, I went on to travel the globe. Returning to Melbourne loaded with creative inspiration, I opened a small store in Elwood selling wares from all over the world and creating floral installations for other businesses. It was also an opportunity to exhibit some of my earlier pieces, inspired mostly by journeys through Africa. I was lucky enough to receive positive feedback for them and eventually painting and illustration became my primary focus.

What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Coming from parents who were determined to follow artistic paths, my dad a director of theatre and mum a visual merchandiser and stylist, I think it was in my genes to discover my creative future and never give up. Know there will be days when you want to throw the paintbrush across the room and others where you will embrace the whole artistic process.

What’s your proudest career achievement? Selling my first painting.

What's been your best decision? To focus my career towards painting and illustration.

Who inspires you? There is so much information and visual information out there that it is hard not to be inspired. Other artists, photographers, architects and designers. I'm a big fan of Instagram. Creative people working and producing unique, individual pieces that relate to them and engage an audience.

What are you passionate about? Sustainability, conservation and animal welfare, ethical farming, fair trade, the list goes on. We can endeavour to protect our natural world and make it a better place.

Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Dian Fossey, Antoni Gaudi, David Attenborough and Charles Darwin to name a few.

What dream do you still want to fulfill? Keep producing art that hopefully impacts viewers in a positive way, travel to Barcelona, re-visit New York and become a wildlife foster carer in the next few months.

What are you reading? The horse boy by Rupert Isaacson

images courtesy of kirsty davidson


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