Artist Spotlight: Genna Kaye

Her gorgeous art hangs pride of place in Tess and Luke’s living/dining area. We get to know artist, Genna Kaye

Genna has been a "huge fan of The Block for many years now - I even applied to be on the show three years ago with a friend!"

How long have you been producing your art?
My love for painting and being creative has been with me since my childhood. I studied art in school and what has stemmed from a genuine love for colour and mark making; painting artwork for my family and friends, has now evolved into an artistic career in the creative industry over the last two years.
 
Where do you draw inspiration from?
Everywhere! From interior design; the latest colour trends; my imagination, to the simple beauty in nature. I absolutely love the freedom that abstract art allows - playing with paint and scribbling on paper is my favourite past time. Some of my large-scale art has evolved from small ideas, played with on scraps of paper and canvas.
 
How long does it take you to create a piece?
Each piece I create develops differently; some of my large-scale works (2m x 2m) can take two months or more, whilst other smaller pieces are finished within a week or two. I love the whole process. For me, creating art is about the journey - sometimes I feel like it’s a struggle to find harmony in something I am working on. And then I have times in my studio where everything comes together so easily. I will often leave my pieces for days or weeks just to keep coming back to look at them so I can feel if I need to keep going or if they are truly finished.
 

Genna at work in her light-filled Melbourne studio.

How would you describe your art?
My art is playful and layered - a true reflection of who I am in the moment. I feel like my art has a soft flow to it. Some of my works are filled with little details and lots of movement, whilst other pieces have much larger, bold shapes and loads of texture. Every piece is truly unique to how I am feeling in the studio at the time.
 
How do you come up with a name for your artwork?
To be truthful, I always struggle with this! Sometimes my works are named after my feelings when I’m painting or the colours within the piece, and other times I love giving them names like you would a child!
 

Genna's art 'Willow and Wren' featuring pride and place in Tess and Luke's living area.

What does it mean to have your art featured on The Block and be a Block Shop artist?
I have been a huge fan of The Block for many years now - I even applied to be on the show three years ago with a friend! As it turned out, sadly, we didn’t make it. Hehe! I feel like my creative journey has been a series of small steps constantly leading me to grow as a person and as an artist. When I was asked to create a piece for The Block Shop by my lovely stockist Zachloe Lifestyle, I never in my wildest dreams believed it would be picked for one of the beautiful Block homes!

How did you react when you found out?
When I received the call that my piece ‘Willow and Wren’ was in Tess and Luke’s living and dining room, my heart nearly stopped - I was so overjoyed and humbled! Being an abstract artist allows me to share a piece of myself and my joy with others, and to have my art featured on The Block is a dream come true.
 

Genna pictured at The Block Shop Pop Up just around the corner from The Block in St Kilda.

Are there any particular artists that inspire you?
I admire all creatives for the amazing diversity and beauty they bring to the world. I do have a long list of favourites though - Kimmy Hogan, Lola Donoghue, Kristen Daniels, Ali McNabney-Stevens and Kerry Armstrong are at the top of my list. These women truly inspire me.
 
Do you have a soundtrack you like to create to?
I am a total sucker for all kinds of music - it really gets me in my zone and I can just bop around in my studio and play with paint. My playlist always has Queen, Bob Dillan, Alan Walker, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tones and I, Pentatonix, Lady GaGa and Van Morrison - to name a few!
 

Genna pictured with her gorgeous 6-year-old daughter is currently pregnant with twin girls! "They are what drive me to be passionate about my dreams and my artwork."

How do you fit your art around life/kids?
Creating has always been an important part of my life, but as any working mum knows, finding a good balance between work, family and some “me time” is a very difficult thing. I am so very lucky to have my little art studio at home, where I can just walk in and get creative whenever some spare time pops up (which is mostly at night when my little one is in bed!). I have a wonderful supportive partner, a beautiful 6-year-old daughter and twin girls on the way - needless to say, I wish I had more hours in my day for painting! But for me, my family comes first. They are what drive me to be passionate about my dreams and my artwork. I know creating art will always be there for me and I am sure as my girls grow up I will find more and more time to spend in the studio. But, for now, I will just allow myself to go with the flow, and paint when I can without missing the important moments in family life.

View Genna Kayes art HERE

Meet other featured Block artists HERE