That wonderful time of the year is almost upon us, where we get to relish both nature and art all around us, at the annual Margaret River Region Open Studios event.
All 144 artists from across the region are united in their quest to show you their pottery, paintings, sculptures, jewellery, glassworks, woodwork and other works over two weeks.
Among them will be acclaimed painter and sculptor Lauren Wilhelm, who’s been showcasing her art at this dazzling event since it started a decade ago.
With a unique style combining classic and contemporary themes, she’s cemented her position as a highly collectable WA artist.
Lauren chats to The Starfish about why she loves being part of the Open Studios event:
Are you looking forward to opening your studio doors again to the public for Margaret River Region Open Studios?
Yes! I can’t wait to throw open the doors and welcome people again, and see both familiar and new faces. My peaceful little studio doesn’t know what hits it, that first weekend, but it’s always a lot of fun talking art and life.
How many years have you been doing this?
I’ve done every single year – so this will be the 11th time – opening my studio set in bushland on 35 acres between Margaret River and Busselton. I can’t quite believe how that time has flown.
Was it nerve-wracking, first time round, to let strangers into your creative space?
It was. I had to be really talked into participating but after the first few days of feeling completely taken-aback by normal questions about my paintings I quite liked the challenge of answering, and the weirder the questions the better! Over the first event I found I learned more about myself as an artist having to verbalise the process and thoughts behind my work and although I can’t say I’m the best at putting the ideas or feelings into words still, it’s certainly helped me formulate my thoughts.
How has the experience changed for you over the years?
Year after year I’ve put more energy into the event. In the first few years I was determined for people to see my authentic working studio, in all its mess and chaos, but now I have one side of my studio all schmick and almost gallery-like, and the other side as it appears normally, minus most of the dust of course.
Do you actually paint and work while visitors are there, or do you chat to people?
On the quieter days I do like to paint, and still chat to people. It’s a good way to recharge too. I find that I sometimes paint better when I’m engaged in conversation and I have no idea why that would be.
What makes this event worthwhile for you?
The interaction with people who are interested in art and eschew small talk! Gauging reaction to new works is useful too for looming exhibitions. There’s no pressure, and so it’s an opportunity to try slightly different directions.
How old were you when you realised you were an artist?
I think it was always a given that I would go into the world of art in some form, although I started in the graphic arts – design.
How long have you lived in Margaret River?
Nearly 12 years. We lived in an old converted warehouse in Northbridge, prior, so it was a big, welcome contrast. I’ve always appreciated nature on a deep level and wanted space around me, and our property is perfect with all its bushland.
How does the region inspire your work?
Birds and nature inspire me every single day. There’s wild parrots and kangaroos on the property that are so trusting of us now that it’s not unusual for people to walk down to my studio during the event with a wild 28 parrot on their head.
Do you have others in your household, making demands on your time?
My partner and I have many adopted parrots and a couple of orphan kangaroos; all very time-consuming. Friends and I built an enormous flight aviary next to the studio and the birds stare into my studio and talk to me, which is a huge distraction. The occasional one will be let into the studio to hang out while I work.
So, how many hours a day do you get to paint?
I like to paint every day, for at least 4 hours. A great day is a solid 8 hours in the studio with no distractions. I actually feel quite ungrounded if I miss a few days without painting.
How long, on average, does each piece normally take to complete?
Some come together easily but others need a lot of manipulation over a matter of months, so it’s hard to answer the popular question of how long a piece takes. Also because I work on a few at the same time, it’s tricky to estimate time spent.
You are also a sculptor; will Open Studio visitors see these works too?
Yes, there will be a few sculptural works on display, both large and small.
Do visitors get to see much of your own work not for sale, on display? Or do you tend to sell most of your artwork?
I only have works available for sale presented, but people can view my website www.laurenwilhelm.com for other work.
Your art is now exhibited at galleries around Australia and overseas; at this stage of your career, are you satisfied with how far you’ve come, or do you have more artistic goals to fulfil?
My ambition is to create more time to enter competitions! Working towards having exhibitions in Sydney and Singapore is exciting me right now.
Your works often combine the classical with the modern; what draws you to this unusual combination?
I’ve always loved both classical and modern art and maybe I’m trying to blend them in my own style – melancholism. Seriously though, I am a very nostalgic person and perhaps as this feeling is hard to communicate with words, I’m endeavouring to capture the feeling in paint.
How many works by you can visitors see at your studio this year, and can they buy them on the spot?
There’s a lot of new paintings of all sizes, and yes, people can buy if they get taken by a piece.
While Open Studios is on, do you get time to go and see what other artists are doing?
I always try to get out and see some of the wonderful studios out there, and try to see new people each year, but I always enjoy Karen Seaman’s work and try to go most years, collecting a few paintings as I go.
Margaret River Region Open Studios is on from 7 September 7 to 22 September.
For details, visit mrropenstudios.com.au
Lauren Wilhelm’s paintings and sculptures can be seen at 20 Lucy Road, North Jindong.
