Behind the Brushstroke: Grace Butterfield
Fashion, interior and art go hand in hand. Colour, form and texture are as important in still-life as in a crafted suit or curated living room. My work is driven by an enduring love for examining the world around me.
I am captivated by the small details that often go unnoticed - the interplay of colour, form, and texture, and the composition of everyday scenes. Each piece I
create is a reflection of this fascination and often inspired by interiors, objects, and the spaces we inhabit.
Who are your major influences, both artistically and personally, is there something that inspires your artwork?
As cliché as it sounds, I would have to say that my mum was probably my earliest influence. Being an architect, our home was filled with beautiful colours and textures and mum would spend most weekends rearranging
furniture and objects to create beautiful vignettes around our home. I inherited her hand writing and even though she won’t admit it, her ability to paint and draw.
In our living room growing up was a library of books and I remember one day picking up a book titled, ‘Morandi’ I was absolutely fascinated by his ability to paint the same objects over and over again, and yet make each painting so uniquely its own. The subtle tones he so beautifully uses to depict simple objects and make them rich is something I have and will always try to achieve in my own work.
Matisse’s line work, its simplicity has always stopped me in my tracks and Agnes Martin’s use of colour and line I find mesmerising.
More recently I am completely fascinated by Cressida
Campbell and not just her work but the way in which she is so dedicated to her practice. Something about her makes me feel a combination of calmness, fulfilment, and excitement. I admire her immensely. At Cressida Cambell’s most recent NGA exhibition there was a quote that really resonated with me, “Degas said, ‘Never paint anything you don’t love’, which I though was an interesting and fascinating tip. It doesn’t have to be beautiful in any way, but it has to be something that you love to examine.” – Cressida Campbell, 2022
How has your practice developed over time? Are there particular themes, ideas, subjects or approaches that you have explored or returned to?
Absolutely my practice has developed over time, and I really
think it is only recently that I have really found my stride. While I have
experimented with various genres, themes, and materials, for some reason still
life and oils has always been where I find myself most excited. I am drawn to
colour, form and texture, and still life scenes seem to provide me with a never
ending array of exactly this. I get more excited than most about the colour of
a lemon or texture of a linen tea towel and it is these simple but beautiful
everyday things that get me started.
There isn’t much to say, I love beautiful things. Often
hand-made, and I find joy in navigating a balance between objects, colour, form
and texture. The idea behind every work is that it brings a sense of joy,
whether that be a sense of calmness or excitement or even contentment in
appreciating the little things in life.
How has your background in fashion and interior design shaped your artistic practice?
I believe my practice is what it is today because of these
experiences. As I mentioned I love beautiful and well-made things, and for me fashion, interiors and art go hand in hand. Colour form and texture is just as important in a still life paintings as it is a magnificently crafted suit or beautifully curated living room.
Can you walk us through your creative process? How do you begin a new project orpiece? Do you have a ritual or routine that helps you get into a creative mindset?
I am always taking note of my surroundings in fine detail, and this is where every painting starts. I always carry a number of cameras with me and often it will take just one object, colour tone or composition that I have seen and captured that gets the painting started.
I try to keep an open mind when it comes to starting a
painting but more often than not, I know whether an image will come together before I have even started. As long as I love what I am painting, I will keep going until it is perfect.
My biggest creative quirk, and anyone that knows me well will vouch for this, is that I have to have ‘friends’ the tv show playing in the background. Something about it is comforting and I have seen it that many times that I can enjoy it without taking my attention away from painting.
Are there recurring themes in your work? If so, what are they, and why do they resonate with you?
Colour and tone is always at the forefront of my mind and often where a painting or idea begins.
While I have experimented with various genres, themes, and materials, for some reason still life and oils has always been where I find myself most excited. I am drawn to colour, form and texture, and still life scenes seem to provide me with a never ending array of exactly this. I get more excited than most about the colour of a lemon or texture of a linen tea towel and it is these simple but beautiful everyday things that get me started.
I love beautiful things. Often hand-made, and I find joy in navigating a balance between objects, colour, form, and texture.
How do you see your art evolving in the next few years? Are there any long-term goals you're working toward?
I am learning. I am learning everyday, and I am so excited and so lucky to be able to paint, draw and photograph beautiful simple things and give them permanence.
For now I am focusing all my energy on preparing for a solo exhibition at Halcyon House, Cabarita beach later this year and from their I will begin preparations for my exhibition with Edwina Corlette Gallery in Brisbane at the beginning of next year.
At the end of the day, my goal is to continue producing work I am proud of and hopefully work that resonates with my audience.