Liz Payne’s art is something to behold. She is heading off to The Other Art Fair in Sydney from October 12th – 15th to display her vibrant wares. Visitors can expect a vibrant programme filled with features, immersive installations, DJs and workshops, so head on over this-a-way if you fancy nabbing a ticket. We had a chinwag with Liz about her art and how she stays inspired, as well what she’s most looking forward to at this year’s The Other Art Fair.

Hiya Liz! Please introduce yourself. I’m Liz and I’m an artist from Sydney. I use a variety of mediums including paint, textiles, beads and embroidery in my work that spans from paintings, textiles, jewellery, drawings and sculpture. I like to question themes of perception, explored not only through my choices of materials and mediums but also in the expectations of life and traditions of the every day.

When did your love for art begin? I’ve always been creative from a young age. Growing up, my mum had her sewing room completely full to the brim with fabrics, buttons, beads and all her paints and pencils, so I was always surrounded by all these materials – I guess it was only natural that one day I would want to combine them!

How do you get out of a creative rut? I am more prone to the other creative dilemma – too many ideas, too little time! I think because my work can take so long with some of my art taking years to complete I have so many other ideas that have to put on the back-burner. Sometimes I wish my work was able to be done more quickly. 

Your art features a lot of bright colours and patterns. What inspired this style and how did you develop it? I believe there are no rules when it comes to colour. I am always striving for my work to challenge the perceptions of embroidery and so I gravitate towards colours and materials that are unexpected. My work is constantly evolving and developing, but I am inspired by wanting to create works unlike anything I have seen before. When I first started combining painting with embroidery there was nothing around like it at the time, and I am constantly in pursuit of trying to do the unexpected and unpredictable.

What is your favourite medium to work with? Lately I have been working with glitter. I have just started a new series of works on paper inspired by words found in lyrics, poems or everyday sayings which I am loving to make. I have just been selected as a finalist in the Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award with one of these works titled ‘I Will Survive’.

When you’re not making art, how do you like to spend your time? I am an art lover so I like to go to galleries and support other artists. I love growing my collection of art from people I love. I also love to read, cook and spend time with my doggo Buster, and lately I have been drafting designs on making a table for my home that I am going to mosaic.

If you could go back in time and give your younger self some advice on working as an artist, what would you say? Do what you want to do, not what you think others want you to do. 

What are you looking forward to the most at The Other Art Fair? Showing my work to new people, meeting new customers and the other artists. I first exhibited at The Other Art Fair in 2015; it’s been a long time since then and I’m excited to be back!