Do you love the abstract art that features on our Gift of Seeds collection? We recently sat down with artist Daniella Germain to find out more about her art and her journey to becoming an artist. Find out what sparked Daniella’s creative career and what fills her heart with inspiration.
Q&A with Melbourne-based artist Daniella Germain
What were your earliest influences on art and creativity? Were you drawn to art and creative fields as a child or has this been a recent interest/pursuit in your adult years?
I’ve been drawing and creating for as long as I can remember (and possibly before then too!). My mum really encouraged it when I was little and it’s something that I’ve always done. I recall wanting to study graphic design or art after school but ended up studying psychology and spent 10 years working in behaviour and social research. When I turned 30, I realised it was “now or never” and went back to university to do a degree in Communication Design. I loved the illustration side of it, and never looked back.
How long have you been illustrating and painting for? How long did it take you to develop your style?
I’ve been illustrating professionally for just over 10 years. One of my first proper client jobs was working on Michelle’s redesign of her original gift of seed packs, and 11 years later we are still working together!
My style is always developing, but I guess I became confident of actually having a style in my final year of university. Since then, it has evolved and changes a little depending on the job/client.
What medium do you like to work with most and why?
I love to paint in watercolour. I love the way it acts together with the paper and its fluid nature (pardon the pun!). It’s quick and versatile.
I have started working more digitally recently. Procreate is an incredible drawing program on the iPad and it helps me to work way more efficiently. But nothing beats sitting down and painting with a real brush, paints and watercolour paper! I’ve just gone back to playing with acrylics, so I’m hoping to do a bit more of that soon!
How would you describe your art?
I’d like to think my art is happy, sometimes quirky with a little bit of humour on occasion. I used to hear “delicate” a lot when people described my art. I like that description, but probably only describes a small portion of what I produce these days.
What’s your source of inspiration? What makes your heart filled with inspiration?
Hands down, driving out of the city fills me with inspiration. My stepdad lives outside of Myrtleford, and I love spending time out that way, among the mountains, trees and wildlife. I will definitely be making a tree change one day in the not-too-distant future. I see myself living in the country with a few chooks, dogs and a little art studio. That’s the dream anyway!
What do you enjoy most about creating art?
I love creating art for other people – I love seeing the enjoyment it brings to others. I don’t often just paint/draw for myself these days, although I would like to get back to that one day. That’s the other side of the enjoyment – doing it for relaxation/just for the fun of it. Not for work.
What does a day in your life look like?
I work 5 days a week at Adairs as a textile designer. So, my day starts there! I’m either in the office or working from home…working on either a quilt cover design, wall art, sometimes even designing toys. It’s a great job and I feel very lucky to have such creative and varied work. On my short days (I work part time as I am a Mumma to a sweet 7 year old), I’m either doing a school pick up or starting/finishing off some freelance work. Then it’s the usual mum duty type stuff. If I haven’t fallen asleep at my son’s bedtime (which is more often than not) I usually try to finish off a bit more freelance work or zone out in front of Netflix. That’s my day!
What aspects of the creative process excite you the most?
The end. When I’ve created something lovely, and the client is happy. Seems silly, but that does motivate me the most!
When people view your artworks, what feelings, thoughts and experiences do you hope your art evokes in them?
I’d like my work to evoke a bit of nostalgia. I like painting things that give me a sense of peace and calm and wonder of nature, so I hope that is extended to the viewer.
What do you love most about creating illustrations for Sow ‘n Sow products?
I love that Michelle and I have been working together for so long. She’s a great friend and I adore her product. I love that Michelle always thinks out of the square and is also very respectful of my creative process. She is also very patient with me!
Sow ‘n Sow is an amazing business, and it’s makes me proud to have my art on the packaging.
