Artist Tiel Seivl-Keevers works from a home studio set amid glorious mature trees and tropical plant life, at one end of her family’s property in Brisbane’s west. She channels the energy of this unique environment into her art practice, combining observations of the natural world with her own memories and experiences.
Tiel chose a creative path early on, completing a Visual Arts degree majoring in printmaking, and experimenting with ‘computer arts’ when it was an emerging field. Upon graduating, she worked in the design sector then swiftly fell into teaching due to a sea change. This led to many years of teaching art in TAFE and Universities in Queensland and Victoria, before settling in Brisbane to raise her family.
A return to her personal practice saw Tiel embrace her fine arts foundations – working without computers – which she considers to be an incredibly important part of how she works today. ‘Over the years I’ve worked as a graphic designer, an illustrator, a textile designer, and now I guess I’m an artist. I never thought I’d be a painter!’
Tiel’s dream-like paintings combine layers of blended colour and texture, with more defined depictions of plants or patterns found in nature. Her works are reminiscent of blurred memories, dotted with moments of clarity. ‘I try to capture the experience of a journey to a scenic place,’ she mentions. ‘It’s about analysing the memory and feelings experienced in a moment, and trying to reflect the essence of it all.’
Working mainly with acrylic paints, Tiel also incorporates mixed media such as oils, pastels, inks and engraving into her works. She admits a penchant for paper and wood, because she can etch the surfaces with a blade or needle.
Recently Tiel has also developed a collaboration called ttmade with ceramic artist, Tracy Dickason. Tracy makes the vessels and Tiel decorates the surfaces. ‘I’m using very familiar printmaking techniques like sgraffito, and enjoying the challenge of applying my marks to a different surface’ Tiel says.
Infinite Memories by Tiel Seivl-Keevers
9th September until 8th October 2016
Boom Gallery
11 Rutland Street
Newtown, Geelong
You can also purchase Tiel’s artworks from The Modern Furniture Store in Brisbane, Art Images Gallery in Adelaide, and her website.