CH.89: If you were to categorize or describe the style of your artwork, what would it be and why?
BM: I’d like to say fun and thoughtful illustration and surface pattern design. My work has always been driven by an idea or concept, rather than it being purely decorative. I have always been interested in human interaction, and how this is both enhanced and limited by communication technology and social media.
CH.89: Where do you draw your inspiration from?
BM: Visually, I am inspired by mid-century design and color palettes — I love wandering around vintage stores and touching the fabrics. I also love watching weird and beautiful films (I’m that cliché Wes Anderson fan girl) and finding weird and irreverent children’s books to add to a growing collection.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about what your creative thought process is like when starting a new project/piece of artwork?
BM: A lot of my work is rather tongue-in-cheek, so my creative process tends to start with a rant among friends — normally around societal expectations or ‘millennial’ issues. I then either grab my sketchbook (for illustrative projects) or start taking photographs (for more geometric surface pattern design). From there I’ll move to the computer and usually work from what I’ve already drawn up. The outcomes always involve a bit of both hand-made and computer generated workings.
CH.89: Is there anything in particular that you would want people to take from your artwork?
BM: I have always been interested in creating work that is light and beautiful at first glance, then has an element of darkness or deeper thought when studied more closely. I hope that when people see what I’ve done it makes them smile, but also makes them think about the way we all move through the world alongside each-other.
CH.89: Can you talk a little bit about your lifestyle as an artist and what that is like?
BM: If I’m completely honest, my art has always been a ‘side hustle.’ I would love to get to a point where I can illustrate and create patterns full-time, but (as is the case for many creative types) I haven’t yet been able to give up my day job. I try to sketch most days, but tend to be most productive when I have a deadline to work to. I am a bit of an ‘all or nothing’ personality. So, when I’m feeling creative then I’m fully immersed in the project. My husband say’s I’m a bit of a Godzilla when this happens, and I leave a path of upturned stationary drawers in my wake.
CH.89: When starting out an artistic task, do you think it is better to have a particular direction/set plan guiding your way? Or, is it better to act on impulse and go from there?
BM: When working with clients, there are obviously always parameters to work within. I normally begin with collaborative mood-boarding to ensure we are on the same page with the creative direction. When I am working on my own projects, I like to feel my way through, rather than planning too much. Coming from a printmaking background, I like to experiment with different methods and making the most of ‘happy accidents.’
CH.89: What is one major lesson you’ve learned as an artist thus far?
BM: Comparison is the thief of joy. I have a lot of anxiety and self-doubt surrounding my work and need to remind myself that everyone else feels that at some point too. Everyone naturally projects the best version on themselves on social media and at networking events, which can cause a lot of unhealthy competition in the art/design community. Stepping back and realizing that nobody has a perfect life is helping me move forward in redefining what success looks like to me.
CH.89: Do you regard personal style & taste to be of highest importance?
BM: I believe the idea has the highest importance, and personal style will naturally come from there.
CH.89: What do you consider to be the hardest thing about being an artist?
BM: Self-doubt. I was officially diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2014. The more I share my feelings, the more I realize how common it is — especially among creative types. It can be really hard to work up the confidence to put yourself out there when you’re having a day (or week or month) of paralyzing depression.
CH.89: What is one thing you love about being an artist?
BM: Having an outlet for my unique way of seeing the world. Art can be a form of therapy for me (when I’m not working to a stressful deadline) and I love it when other people relate to what I’m putting out into the universe.
CH.89: Is there anyone in particular, any artist’s that inspire you in any way?
BM: I love the work of Timorous Beasties (wallpaper/textile designers based in the uk) and contemporary American artist Kara Walker. They have been a major influence visually and conceptually since my days in art school. Their work appears to be traditionally decorative on first glance, but deals with some very dark subject matter on further inspection. For my hipster animals series, I draw inspiration from hilariously self-aware illustrators like Adam tots.
CH.89: What do you think of technology in terms of being a useful tool for artists today?
BM: I think it opens up a world of possibilities, but I get much better results when the computer is used hand-in-hand with more traditional techniques. I have been experimenting with a lot of textures lately, making watercolor washes and print roller experiments that I can pull in for backgrounds on future projects.
CH.89: Do you think being an artist allows you to view the world differently from those who don’t follow creative paths?
BM: Absolutely. I grew up in a family with pretty black-and-white views on the world, and spent the first 21 years of my life trying to conform to that way of thinking. Because of this, I’ve had to spend the last 11 years retraining my brain, and embracing all of the weird and wonderful connections going on in there. Developing bonds with other creatives around the world has helped me find a community and really appreciate different perspectives on life.
CH.89: Do you enjoy traveling? If so, do you have a favorite city?
BM: Love it — I’ve just come back to New Zealand after living in London for two years. I really do miss London in all it’s dark and miserable glory. However, I think New York would have to be my favorite city. It’s so vibrant and hopeful, and surrounded by the ocean. I would move there in a heartbeat.
CH.89: Do you have a favorite author or book?
BM: I read a lot of children’s books for research, so I’d have to say ‘I want my hat back’ by Jon Klassen. Hilariously dark and unexpected for a children’s book with a stunning illustration style.
CH.89: Any future goals or plans for your artwork?
BM: I would love to devote more time to children’s book illustration and am always open to collaborate on textile/surface design projects.
CH.89: What does being an artist mean to you?
BM: Tough question. Sometimes I think life would be easier if I didn’t have this strange little brain, or if I gave up on my dreams and embraced a more traditional life pathway. But there are ideas in there that need to come out in a visual form, so I guess ‘being an artist’ is about the compulsion to make marks in order to make sense of life.
CH.89: What’s the last song you listened to?
BM: ‘Quarrel’ by Moses Sumney
CH.89: Any last words on the aesthetic of your artwork?
BM: A fun little mix of nostalgia and angst.
CHAPTER89 