ARTIST SPOTLIGHT:
BEACHGHOST

We’re huge fans of your work and are so excited to feature you on our DARKNET blog. Tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been creating art.

I grew up on the coast of Victoria, Australia in the '90s. I’ve been making art since I can remember, no matter how small. It’s always been a part of my life. When I wasn’t surfing, watching TV or playing video games, I was most likely drawing.

How would you describe the style of your work and where do you draw your inspiration from?

If I had to put a label on it, I’d describe it as Ukiyo-e retro anime aesthetic. I really love the look and vibe of anime from the '80s and '90s, nostalgia plays a big part in what inspires my work. I’m a big fan of the Japanese art movement Ukiyo-e. I look to folklore and mythology for inspiration when crafting narratives that inform my artwork.

Tell us more about your artistic process. How do you go from rough idea to finished piece? What kind of materials do you use?

Recently, I have been really enjoying working in watercolour. First I come up with a concept, an idea of what I want to visualise. This might be fan art, something inspired by folklore, science fiction or a more abstract idea like a vibe or feeling. I sketch a lot whilst looking at references until I have a composition that I like. With pencil, I then lay down the foundation of my image on watercolour paper. I ink over the pencil with fine liner pen and erase the graphite. Then, I color the image using watercolor paint.

We love the nostalgic pop-culture references your art touches on! Are there any particular movies/series/video games closest to your heart?

I’m a big fan of media from the '90s, growing up in that decade I was exposed to a lot of stuff that formed the basis for my taste in art and entertainment. My Game Boy Color was my gateway to the world of Japanese pop culture. Pokémon, Dragon Ball Z, and Digimon were early favorites. Films like Akira, Ghost In The Shell and most of the Studio Ghibli films come to mind when I look for inspiration for my works aesthetic.

Can you tell us a little about any pieces or projects that you’re working on at the moment?

I’m preparing to start working on an exhibition that will be held in Melbourne, Australia. I don’t have much else to share about this project. I’m hoping to experiment with animation too. 2021 will be a very busy and productive year for my art practice.

If you weren’t an artist, what would be your ultimate dream job?

I’d say something that involves nature. Working for a national park would be really cool. I like to be in nature and that gets overshadowed by my art practice. If I couldn’t pursue art, I’d probably want to be working as a nature conservation officer.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to pursue art at a professional level? What’s something you wish you could tell your younger self?

Try not to compare yourself to other artists. Take inspiration from artists whose work you find a connection with and try to learn from how they approach image making. Compare yourself to only yourself and your previous work. When you notice your work getting closer to what you want to be able to achieve then your momentum will start to increase and you’ll only continue to improve.

✨ BEACHGHOST ✨

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