In the lead up to her exhibition 'Colours of Kambarang', launching at Voyager Estate on 30th March, we chatted with celebrated Margaret River painter, Tamika Hogan, about what inspires her to put brush to canvas.

Was there a particular person or moment that first inspired you to begin painting?

To be honest art has always been a lifeline for me, but there was definitely a pivotal point in my early teens. I was going through a hard time with my parents' divorce and that was when I started to delve deeper into my creative explorations. Creating became a sanctuary or a refuge for me during that time, where no matter what was going on around me, I could create worlds of colour and beauty. My dad seemed to understand that. One day I came home from school to find a beautiful new easel and a fresh set of paints and brushes he’d bought me as a surprise. That was when I started really trying my hand at painting and family and friends started to order a commission here and there in return for pocket money. It kept me grounded and planted the seed that one day I could make a living doing what I loved most. 

Do you have any rituals or habits that aid your creative process?

Morning movement, always! I usually go for a beach walk and swim, which always sets me up for a motivated, inspired day ahead. But, my true inspiration comes from being out on country. Hiking into remote pockets of the coast, going on camping adventures as far away from the masses as possible. And surfing! Something about sitting out in the ocean in communion with the elements always gets the fire in my belly blazing.

What mediums do you prefer to work with, and what attracts you to them?

I work with oils and have done so since I was 16. Something about the idea of oil paints being the medium the masters used attracted me in the beginning. I came to love the thick consistency, the colour richness, and the fact that there is such a process to building layers. They always felt special and sacred to work with somehow.

Was there a particular artist or movement that influenced your style as a painter?

To be honest I always felt fascinated by the Dada movement. That always stood out as an interesting and pivotal era in art history. I wouldn’t really say that’s reflected in my art, so much as the way I think and view the world. My taste in art versus what I create are so infinitely different. What influenced my style and choice in subject matter the most is my immediate environment and the need I feel to recreate what I see.

What message or emotion do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your paintings?

I want people to be transported to a space that fills them with calm allure. I want them to feel the same awe and wonder that compelled me to recreate the experience in the first place. A huge part of my practice is getting out on country and immersing myself in the land, then communicating those experiences through painting. I like to think of my paintings like portals that can transport us to those far away places.

Could you give us a sneak peek into what guests can expect to see when you exhibit at Voyager Estate in April?

I’m really proud of this new collection. It’s some of my best work to date and I’m elated to be sharing it with the guests at Voyager Estate. It’s bold, it’s colourful, and it musters up all the feelings of joy that come with Kambarang season here in the South West.

For the last few years I have worked with a fairly subdued colour palette, so it’s been such a pleasure to work with unrestrained colour, and in many ways it feels very reflective of my own inner landscape and seasons. I’ve recently come out the other side of a really tough few years of my life. I feel like I’ve entered my own inner spring; a period of coming to life again. This collection really does feel like a celebration of new beginnings. I hope that the celebratory mood permeates through the canvas and leaves you feeling uplifted too!

Meet Tamika and delve into her artistic practice at our special evening exhibition on Friday, 5th April – book your tickets here.

 

Images courtesy of Bianca Kate Photography.

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