Issue 59

The Life Outside Issue

Introducing the Life Outside issue of Habitus magazine. With life increasingly being absorbed into a digital space, there is never a more important moment to hold something tangible. In this context, the power of nature to have a physiological impact on our sense of wellbeing has never been more important. So how can we cultivate the benefits of the our natural environment in the most intimate of places – our homes? This was the question that helped to bring this issue of Habitus to life.

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Conversations Aleesha Callahan

Gestural expressions

Miranda Russell is an artist who explores form and movement through confident, artistic gestures. We ask the regionally based artist about her approach, influences and home life.

Aleesha Callahan: How do you approach your art practice – do you have a routine?

Miranda Russell: It’s essential to me that I am in the right headspace to create in the way that I do. Timing and mood are important to me. I sometimes leave great time gaps between works, but sometimes I will have a great rush of creativity. Having said that, I am in my studio each week, most days, and if not actively creating, I am looking at and thinking about my art.

What mediums do you work with?

I work with acrylic paint, oil pastel, charcoal, and sometimes markers. I enjoy using these materials on a variety of surfaces, such as large unstretched canvas, paper, and cardboard.

How does art influence your life and your home?

Aesthetic is important to me. The way things look and their impression in spaces is something that gives me great joy. I’m about to begin building a new home and I’m looking forward to playing with the space with my furniture and art.

How have you seen your work evolve over time?

I enjoyed sketching when I was growing up, and in a way, I feel I have returned to this. I’ve experimented a lot and have enjoyed creating large colourfield paintings. However, I have found great contentment and freedom in gestural expression.

What’s something that people might not realise about being a working artist?

Being a working artist is all-consuming, with many aspects to consider. For me, it straddles pleasure and business. I’m very particular about what artworks get framed and hung. It’s important that the works are a genuine and true reflection of me.

Where do you find inspiration?

Inspiration comes from within. My works are an expression of me in my environment. However, I have always held a great love and passion for the Australian landscape. Having grown up in regional Australia, I suppose, influences me in ways I cannot quite pinpoint, but again I think it is largely aesthetic based.

I have a great love for trees and many people say that this love is evident in my expressions. I am also a romantic and a dreamer, and I think that this comes out in my artworks too.

You could win an original painting by Miranda Russell, courtesy of Studio Gallery, if you subscribe to Habitus magazine before 15 April 2022

About the Author

Aleesha Callahan

Aleesha Callahan is the editor of Habitus. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Aleesha seeks out the unique people, projects and products that define the Indo Pacific region. Aleesha was previously the editor of Indesignlive.com and has written and contributed to various publications and brands in her 10 years in the architecture and design industry, bringing intimate insight to her stories having first trained and practised as an interior designer. Her passion for mid-century design and architecture began while living and working in Berlin.