Friday Feature Artist // Autumn McGrail

Welcome to another week of Friday Feature Artist and say hi to Autumn [such a cool name!] I discovered Autumn's work through The Learning Connexion last year and have been in awe ever since. Her paintings are enchanting and dark with a splash of sex appeal. The slender style of figures have been derived from 1920's glamour and 1950's pin up whilst incorportaing a burlesque aspect that makes them so elegant and eye catching.

Autumn is a Wellington based artist and has had multiple sucessful exhibitions including The Candy Dolls, Down the Rabbit Hole and A Burlesque Lullaby. I am crossing my fingers I will get to go to one of her exhibitions one day; I love to see work in person. Autumn was kind enough to answer a few questions about her work; take a look.

Artist Statement ♥
Painting has always been a means of self-expression for me. I love to go into my own world and create. I like to distort the subject matter, giving them extra long legs and huge eyes. I am fascinated by vintage glamour, Pin ups, Burlesque dancers as well as the victorian era, this is where most of my inspiration comes from. I’m known for my limited colour palette which helps gives a moody atmosphere to each piece and to that I add a semi surreal narrative. [source]

Tell us about how you became an independent artist.

I became an independent artist when I left art school, they would have end of term exhibitions and I would sell out every-time so when I left I decided to enter as much group shows around the country as I could, I would sell on line as well. Then my mum and I opened a Gallery/boutique in Wanganui called 'Phaedra'. I would sell enough each week to live off, unfortunately we had to close the store, I moved back to Wellington and concentrated on getting my website up and running and started having solo shows and putting art in shops and cafes etc.

Do you have any formal training as an artist?
Ive always been arty my whole life because my dad is an artist and our family has always been creative. But I did study at TLC for 4 years and thats where I actually had people telling me I was talented that were not my parents so that gave me the confidence to become an artist.

What inspires you to make/produce your artwork?
 I get inspiration from everywhere, movies, songs, fashion...the list goes on. Random as ideas will pop into my head while Im trying to sleep as well and I'll have to get up and quickly scribble it down while Im half asleep haha.

Do you have any plans for where you want to be in 5 years time?
In 5 years time I would love to have exhibited oversea's

Want to see more work from Autumn? Check out her facebook, website and blog.

She has a range of prints available as well as orignal pieces so make sure to contact her if you want to find out more information.

Have a fantastic Friday everyone, and a big thanks to Autumn for taking the time to give us a bit of an inside peek to her creative world.

Rhiannon xxx