Pia Reynolds

What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?

I work with acrylic and oil paint. They are bright, flexible and durable. I enjoy the idea of creating something permanent.

Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?

I work from my garden studio at my home in Perth. It is light and spacious and gives me my own space away from my children’s inquisitive, little fingers.

Tell us a bit about your story and how you came to be an artist

My path to becoming a professional artist was anything but expected. In the wake of discovering one of our children would be disabled, I made the difficult decision to leave my medical degree behind. I began painting regularly as an outlet and it became a pathway to rediscovering myself in the face of adversity.

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process begins with observation. I buy fruits and vegetables when they are at their best and most beautiful and bring them home to my studio. I also visit local charity shops to find teapots, vases, table cloths and anything else I think will make a great painting. I take hundreds of photos in different arrangements, I select my favourites and work from these.

I almost always start with a brightly coloured underpainting to give a subtle vibrance to my work. Painting is the most intuitive stage of the process. I enjoy working alla prima but I often end up working over several days to fit around my children.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by everyday objects that become overlooked over time. I love playing with colour, particularly the incredible natural vibrancy of fruits and vegetables. I love little things like the wax on fresh plums, how light passes through glass and the reflections in metal.

How would you describe your artistic style?

My style is contemporary realism. I use bright underpainting and expressive brushstrokes to create pieces with a modern feel.

What message and emotion do you hope to convey with your work?

I want to evoke joy and comfort with my pieces. I also like to think of them as a symbol of resilience. Painting has become my therapeutic outlet in the face of daily challenges.