Meet Australian Artist Paula May
We’re forever inspired by the dreamy curves, flowing shapes and organic colours of Byron Bay artist Paula May.
Choosing to live mindfully, we visited this earth angel at home to discuss passion, inspiration, heritage, life and daily rituals.
Choosing to live mindfully, we visited this earth angel at home to discuss passion, inspiration, heritage, life and daily rituals.
Find out more about this talented creative & earth lover below...
WHEN DID YOUR PASSION FOR CREATING ART BEGIN AND HOW HAS IT GROWN AND EVOLVED?
Art has forever been a part of my life. Growing up I was either drawing, writing poems or creating some form of art.
But I had never really explored painting up until around October last year. I had just returned home from a trip overseas and felt drawn to trying something new!
So, I bought myself some paints, brushes and started playing around with colours and designs. Prior to art I was a photographer, and Arnhem was actually my first clothing brand to shoot about 8 years ago. So amazing how that comes full circle. Since then I have been absolutely blown away with the opportunities that have opened up through this creative journey, this being one of them!
WHAT AND WHO ARE YOUR MAIN SOURCES OF INSPIRATION?
I harvest most of my inspiration from nature and beautiful colour palettes that the natural world has to offer. The slow coastal lifestyle influences my work and creating the type of art that I do has quite a therapeutic effect on me. It's a special thing being able to transport into another place and letting that creativity flow out onto the paper.
Art has forever been a part of my life. Growing up I was either drawing, writing poems or creating some form of art.
But I had never really explored painting up until around October last year. I had just returned home from a trip overseas and felt drawn to trying something new!
So, I bought myself some paints, brushes and started playing around with colours and designs. Prior to art I was a photographer, and Arnhem was actually my first clothing brand to shoot about 8 years ago. So amazing how that comes full circle. Since then I have been absolutely blown away with the opportunities that have opened up through this creative journey, this being one of them!
WHAT AND WHO ARE YOUR MAIN SOURCES OF INSPIRATION?
I harvest most of my inspiration from nature and beautiful colour palettes that the natural world has to offer. The slow coastal lifestyle influences my work and creating the type of art that I do has quite a therapeutic effect on me. It's a special thing being able to transport into another place and letting that creativity flow out onto the paper.
WHO ARE THE CREATIVES YOU’RE CURRENTLY ADMIRING?
At the moment I've been in love with stained glass work, Cedar and spruce studios do absolutely stunning pieces. A painter I have always looked up to is Codie O'Connor. And I'm just so inspired by Byron Bay artists, there are too many to choose from. I really love seeing people thriving in their field.
WE SAW THAT YOU RECENTLY EXPLORED DOT STYLE PAINTING:
IN TERMS OF YOUR CONNECTION TO YOUR HERITAGE, HOW HAS THAT BEEN THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE?
My dad's family did research into our history quite a few years ago and discovered that my great great grandmother was a Wiradjuri woman named Matilda who married a man named Loui and had 9 children. My great grandfather was one of those children. I'm really excited and proud to continue to learn and uncover more about her and my heritage. I feel it's so important to know your roots and where you came from. The recent piece I created was an exploration of colours and patterns inspired by Matilda.
Disclaimer : I am in no way implying for the artwork to be represented as a traditional indigenous piece of art. It is my interpretation of their style of art using colours and shapes I was drawn to inspired by Matilda, my great great grandmother.
“I THINK ARTWORK SHOULD…”
Give you permission to pause and connect you to a place or feeling that you resonate with.
YOU’RE QUOTED AS SAYING, “MY LOVE LANGUAGE IS ACTS OF SERVICE,” – TELLS US MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU.
To me a love language is the way you express your feelings of love toward someone, and for me I best express and understand love through "acts of service".
Acts of service can really just be narrowed down to doing/receiving something thoughtful and meaningful from those around you, particularly a partner.
My dad's family did research into our history quite a few years ago and discovered that my great great grandmother was a Wiradjuri woman named Matilda who married a man named Loui and had 9 children. My great grandfather was one of those children. I'm really excited and proud to continue to learn and uncover more about her and my heritage. I feel it's so important to know your roots and where you came from. The recent piece I created was an exploration of colours and patterns inspired by Matilda.
Disclaimer : I am in no way implying for the artwork to be represented as a traditional indigenous piece of art. It is my interpretation of their style of art using colours and shapes I was drawn to inspired by Matilda, my great great grandmother.
“I THINK ARTWORK SHOULD…”
Give you permission to pause and connect you to a place or feeling that you resonate with.
YOU’RE QUOTED AS SAYING, “MY LOVE LANGUAGE IS ACTS OF SERVICE,” – TELLS US MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU.
To me a love language is the way you express your feelings of love toward someone, and for me I best express and understand love through "acts of service".
Acts of service can really just be narrowed down to doing/receiving something thoughtful and meaningful from those around you, particularly a partner.
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST CHERISHED DAILY RITUALS?
I LOVE daily morning coffees and walks on the beach particularly in the mornings as well. I try to always make myself go outside and reconnect with nature daily.
Words of affirmations and practicing thought work, to be my own best friend and encourager is something I've been slowly making a habit of which has made such a big difference. And I really enjoy simple afternoons spent with my Fiancé Ben and Doggo Tala laying around doing absolutely nothing decompressing after big days.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES & DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE?
So far, I have been taking everything as it comes and haven't made many big plans for the future. But ultimately my goal is to be working full time, doing what I love, painting and creating! I have had an interest in studying art therapy which is used as an alternative to talk therapy. I find all of that fascinating. But for now, I'm enjoying everything that has been happening currently with my art and I'm super excited to see what new doors get opened!
For your daily dose of visual inspiration follow Paula May @bypaulamay
Or, explore her online store here: www.bypaulamay.com