Interview
Zoe Brown
Zoe Brown is a self-taught Tasmanian realism watercolour animal artist specialising in canine portraiture. Growing up in a farm in Tasmania, Zoe forged a love for nature and animals - a love she tried to capture on paper from an early age. Not fully recognizing her artistic talent while growing up, Zoe followed her love of animals and became a veterinary nurse.
Zoe’s journey into the world of art was prompted by a paint palette and pencils that she received as a gift. Since that time 6 years ago, Zoe has never looked back.
Zoe is currently the founder of Loo Moo Designs, a business that sells mugs, prints, t-shirts and pet portraits. Her clients can be found across Australia and New Zealand.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I grew up in the country, in Central Highlands Tasmania from the age of 6. My parents had a large scale farm, which eventually turned into a dairy farm by the time I was 11. Being home educated until grade 5, a large amount of my childhood was spent out on the land, surrounded by nature and animals. I fell in love with the beauty of my surroundings and would try to sketch the landscapes of the Meadowbank Lake that flowed past my home.
From as far back as I can remember, I used to trace pictures of horses and then colour them in. Whatever I was drawing had to have animals in them. I also grew a love for sunrises and sunsets, each one unique, with its different colours flowing through the sky. At this point, I had not yet formed confidence in my capabilities and didn't think I could portray such beauty on canvas, so for a few years, I focused on photographing them. I eventually saved enough money for one of the high end Canon cameras to continue in this art form.
When I was 17, I started working as a Veterinary Nurse and didn't focus too much on my art. After all, I was always under the impression art was a hobby not a career. Nearly 6 years ago, I was gifted a watercolour paint palette and pencils and ever since then, I've been hooked.”
What inspires you most?
“Animals! There is really so much more to them than what meets the eye. Working as a veterinary nurse, I really started to understand the companion animal and just how amazing they are. I have an obsession with their eyes - they carry so much character and such a story that you can really tell through painting them. That goes for all species, really. Look at a picture of a lion, for example - yes they are large, fierce-looking creatures, but that power is in the eyes.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“Canine portraiture is my main theme. However, when painting freely in my spare time, I love to paint a range of animal species - like I said before, the eyes always tell a story!
I don't necessarily believe that every piece of art should have an underlying message. I turn to painting when I can't speak about what’s going on, and also when I want to let myself go and be lost in the paper. Everyone has their own interpretation of art, that's the beauty of it. There are no rules. But it can also be quite raw and exposing. I guess that's a message in itself.”
“I am a realism watercolour artist. However, I don't use watercolour paints the way that most artists do. I like to use thicker layers to get as much detail as possible. It really is a forgiving medium.”
Which artists influence you most?
“The ones that haven't been discovered yet, who do it for the love, not for the income.
We are so lucky to have Instagram and Facebook as artists now. It’s such a large platform to share your work on. I love following small local artists who use all the mediums in the book! I do not have a single artist that I would say influences me the most. Polina Bright is an amazing artist who is based in Sydney, she does a lot of animal watercolour pieces. I also love that she doesn't focus on one subject. She has a unique watercolour style I could recognise anywhere.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“To be creative and express ourselves in a world where we are constantly judged. I hate that there is ‘good art’ and ‘bad art’. Each art piece is someone’s mind and soul expressed on a piece of paper. It may be different for the next person, but it's unique and brilliant.
I think that art is already evolving in our society. People are feeling more confident to express themselves through many different mediums; to just express themselves as a person everyday, and not submit to the social norm.”
