Art from the heart

Melbourne artist Ani Ipradjian calls on a lifetime of experience

Who are you and how long have you been an artist?
My name is Ani Ipradjian I am an emerging artist based in Melbourne, Australia. From an early age, I knew that I had a passion for and wanted to explore colour and art. This led me to paint endless colour charts, composite colours, complementary colours and colour wheels by hand, before the invention of the internet. I can remember one of my first memories was drawing with chalk on the sidewalk and this led to using pens and pencils on any material I could find to draw on from paper, wood, cardboard boxes and lunch bags. In kinder/preschool I have a distinct memory that my preference would be to stay indoors and draw while the other kids went out to play. Finding art very therapeutic from a young age has helped me escape the grind of daily life. Even in High school carrying my oversized canvases and folio back and forward from school was always a challenge but I happily did it. Art has always been a part of my life!

Ani's beautiful 'Brighton Spirit' is a standout piece in Luke and Jasmin's stunning Block living room.

Did you come from an artistic family, or is this something that is unique to you?
My Dad is a master jeweller and loves to draw - he has designed and made original pieces for Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley Bassey and for The King of Kuwait. Growing up I watched him design and create these one-off pieces of jewellery that I found fascinating and loved that they were very original. My Dad has always pushed me to pursue my passion with art and with his support I was able to study for so many years. I also have cousins that are very talented in the arts from a tattoo artist to photographers as well as couture fashion designer so you could say it does run in the family!

Did you study art to further your passion?
The answer to that is definitely yes. It was always a dream of mine to be a full-time artist from a young age. I started exhibiting when I was around 16 to 17 years old. In high school, all my subjects were art design and graphic design. After high school I completed an Associate Diploma in Art and Design then I moved into Associate Diploma Graphic Design and worked in the advertising industry for a long time, mainly real-estate advertising and newspapers. A few years ago, I completed an Associate Diploma in Photography.

The love for abstract with geometric shapes is evident in a lot of Ani's gorgeous prints like 'Outback Australia' available in canvas or print.

What did you learn?
I was the happiest when I was studying art and design and learned that it was a major passion of mine - I became obsessed with asymmetrical design and colour and art and design helped me be free in expressing myself through different mediums and design concepts that helped me create the style I have today. Doing graphic design helped me secure a job in the advertising industry and this led to learning all about what's involved in the print and design industry. Taking a photography course educated me in the art reproduction and what is involved to get a perfect print and different papers that are used to colour correction. Everything I have learned I incorporate into all my work and I feel so blessed to of been able to study art, design and design that assist with my designs and colour concepts I chose in my body of work. I learned all I was doing for years was experimenting with different mediums until I found the perfect medium for me and that is acrylic. Overall, I have learned that everything I have studied has been a significant part of my whole process as an artist and has helped me develop and evolve into the artist I am today. But the most important thing I have learned - and this is something I incorporate into my art - is the planning process, what is involved in planning and creating each piece.

Which artists inspire you?
My inspiration comes from Orphism, which is derived from Cubism and is a movement that was born in 1912. Two artists that do inspire and influence me are Robert and Sonia Delaunay, their simultaneous design principles and colour is very appealing to me.
Two other artists are Wassily Kandinsky and Victor Vasarely, both artists who use abstract squares and concentric circles which have ​played a major influence behind my art. However, my biggest inspiration is Pablo Picasso. He is my idol I light up when I see a photo of him or his art. His path towards Cubism is my main inspiration and has had a great impact on myself as an artist.

How would you describe your style?
My style is asymmetrical as well as abstract with geometric shapes. I create luscious textures, shapes and colour combinations that encapsulate Australia’s native flora, fauna, suburbs and outback and suburban as well as urban landscapes. The most important concept of my work is texture and I believe in my body of work texture is everything.

"My art always represents my life and something about experiences from places I have visited or would love to visit in Australia," Ani tells The Block Shop. 

What materials do you work with?
I predominately work with acrylics and sometimes Indian ink. I love everything about acrylic paint. All my paintings are done on a stretched canvas.

What does your art represent to you?
I have so much love for every piece I do and this is transcended into my work. When I look at my art, sometimes I can’t believe that I created that piece! Art to me is everything it is passion, my identity, life and my purpose. Been an artist and creating the pieces I do tells you a story of places I have visited or would love to visit. My art always represents my life and something about experiences from places I have visited or would love to visit in Australia as well as my great connection to nature, spirituality, colours shapes and patterns that are used this represents how I feel and see things. All pieces that are created depict nature and city themes around Australia are based on Australian Suburbs, Australian Native Flora & Nature. Australian cities and landscape are where my inspiration comes from and places I have visited or would love to visit. When I visit new places I always try and look for that one thing that stands out about my visit and I incorporate that into my art. Also being around nature also helps me be creative and this can lead to me deciding my colour pallet or theme for my next piece. I always think about the love of nature and the wonderful colours of Australia is just enough to inspire me. Architectural buildings also play a great role behind my inspiration this is why I love to use geometric shapes in my art. I spend my spare time online looking at architecturally structured buildings and that gives me so much inspiration. My art represents everything about me my identity, personality and the way I see the world through shapes colours and patterns. I am very spiritual and do connect with nature and every piece of art that is created definitely has my personality in it. I become one with the art when I am creating and this is most important part of the process.

Ani making a very special delivery to The Block where 'Brighton Spirit' was selected by Jasmin as it honours the Brighton area as well as the curves in the beautiful home they are creating.

What are you trying to achieve with your art?
Being obsessed with patterns and design I try to compose each piece to be 3D and bring it to life with the texture and composition. All my art has a story behind it as each piece is connected to our Mother Land Australia and is my interpretation of how I see nature as well as the particular place I am honouring. I focus on what I love and this is very important creating and sketch a story about it but the most important thing is the end goal and that is to bring and breath life into each piece I create. Inspired by the enthralling landscapes of nature and city themes painting things I love and I incorporate in my own way using abstract geometrical, asymmetrical style, with luscious textures, shapes and colour combinations that encapsulate Australia’s native flora, suburbs and outback landscapes.

You have a definite colour palette, what is it and why those colours?
I don't think we realise how important colour can be in our lives. I am consistently thinking of colour, my next colour palette to create, colours that make me happy and the purpose behind colours I chose as an artist, from the theme to the meaning behind my art. Colour plays an important roll in this. All colours I use in my pallets are associate with nature and city themes I do carefully pick and match colours to all my themes and subjects. I work predominately with soft pinks, calming blues and warming mustards, you could say this is one of my favourite combinations. Blue is ultimately my favourite colour it is everything to me and I do believe the colour blue reduces stress and helps you mentally and physically as it has such a close association to water and the ocean. The mustard is a rich and lush opulent colour associated with land and gold which is a great part of our Australian heritage. The soft pinks I use are associated with the colour of universal love of oneself and of others. This combination is connected to the earth and water - I like choosing colour pallets that are associate with the four elements as they are life.

"Blue is ultimately my favourite colour it is everything to me and I do believe the colour blue reduces stress and helps you mentally and physically as it has such a close association to water and the ocean," Ani tells The Block Shop.

Do you work in a studio or outdoors?
I work with endless layers and because this is my process, I need each layer to perfectly dry flat because of the amount of paint that is used before I commence the next layer so dry air is very important with this process. I like working indoors too as my art is hung indoors, I like mixing the colours in a similar light to where the final piece will be hung so I can get an accurate colour when mixing.

What sort of artist are you? The fiery creator or the meticulous planner - or both!
I am definitely a meticulous planner! Every piece of art I have created is planned. My collection is based on city and nature themes so the colours pallets and sketch are based on the research which this is such an important part of it all. Sometimes it takes me a long time to research my new piece. Especially picking my colour scheme as I usually like to work with four colours. I will decide my theme and then sketch out my shapes, after the sketches are done, I decide where the colours will go and either colour in by hand or use the computer to get the correct colours I am after.

Describe your work process
I like to mix and colour match all colours up before I start and make big portions as I do not want to run out of the colours I have chosen. Before I start painting on my canvas, I like to give it another coat of white as I just love the canvas to be bright and not have any grey tones. After the canvas is prepared the bottom layer is painted and I can judge from my sketch which colour is been painted first to last. My art consists of layers and lots of texture there is no blending so each layer has to dry thoroughly before the next one is layered and this is why some pieces can take a long time to complete.

Be quick! Ani has some stunning original artwork available like 'St Kilda Sky' available HERE

Do you listen to music as you create? And if so, what sort?
Music has played a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. My go-to tunes are definitely Dance music, 90’s RNB – and disco! I have my own playlist and listen to mostly the same tunes. Something about it opens my mind to creativity and allows me to block out the world and just paint.

How long does each piece take to create?
Each piece I create takes anywhere from 2 weeks to over a month to create. As there is so many layers the drying process is the biggest part of it all. Depends how many times I can paint in the day and I do like paintings two at a time.

What does your art bring to a home? 
I believe that my art brings an injection of colour into a home as well as a piece of myself. I believe that my pieces can stand alone as well as a complementary pair. As most of my themes are nature and Australian based it can bring a bit of history and nature as well as city and urban theme into your home. It invites the outdoors into your home with one of my pieces.

Jasmin chose your work Brighton Spirit for her living room, can you describe the piece?
Brighton is an affluent beach-side area of Melbourne. From the grand homes to the stretch of gorgeous beaches. In the middle of the painting is the beach that surrounds and Brighton Spirit captures the sunset at dusk and the six kilometres of coastline. It opens my heart when I travel through his gorgeous area. The soft tones in Brighton Spirit really complements the whole area and I do love the fact that Jasmin chose a painting that honours the Brighton area as well as the curves in the beautiful home they are creating.

Luke and Jasmin pictured at The Block with Ani and her son Sonny - a day he won't forget! 

How much difference can great art make to a room?
Yes, art can even be considered the hero of the room. If it is a statement piece you can let it stand alone and do not need much in the room to create that gorgeous space. Art will change the whole design and look of any room so if there is a great piece placed in the correct spot it will change the whole dynamics of your space. Colour and design of the art can compliment the structure of the house or the era of the home. it can also enhance the architectural design. Colour and art can play an important roll in our lives it can affect the way we think and feel so it is important to choose a piece of art that you love and have a connection to as this will play a great roll in your daily life.

What's your advice to anyone looking for some artwork to change their home?
There are so many things to consider before you buy art. From colour scheme to the wall space you would like to fill even what mood did you want to create in the room with the colours you chose. You have furniture, space, style to consider then you can start hunting for that special piece of art that will live with you all in your home or workspace. Is this piece of art going to be the hero of a room? One of the first things to consider is your budget, you don’t want to fall in love with a piece of art and then discover it is out of your price range. The second thing to decide is do you want an original painting or a print? Reproduced prints of paintings can look amazing and are very affordable. You can usually choose to purchase a print that is reproduced on Cotton Rag Paper and the colours will last a lifetime or even a print done on a canvas with a frame. After you establish your budget and colour scheme you can start shopping for a painting. This is the fun part! I am not an interior designer however I have spent years studying colours, shapes and patterns. I do believe that most colours come from nature and can influence design in so many ways, from the entire building spectrum to a special piece of furniture. Decorating a room is time consuming, from searching online for endless colour schemes and most importantly from choosing the right piece of art for your room. Ask yourself if you have ever thought of making the piece of art that you choose the hero of your room?  Not the couch or cushions, but the artwork? This is usually the first thing you notice when you enter a room. Most of the time we shop for art, and we treat it as an afterthought, or we leave it until we can match it with a piece of furniture or a cushion. This can often lead to tearing our hair out, as it can be so hard to find a piece of art that will perfectly match your interior, due to colour, tone and hue variations. Sometimes our decorating life can be made easier, by choosing a colour scheme for our room and then by choosing a painting to fit the wall space we want to decorate. There are a few ways we can do this. You can either spend hours searching for a painting online or by visiting numerous galleries, but the simplest way to go about this is to get a piece of art commissioned by one of your favourite artists. This way you have the perfect colour scheme to decorate with and the painting can be made perfectly to fit your wall space. Another positive by choosing a commissioned piece is that you can also choose the frame colour you are after. How great is that?! We are so lucky that by living in Australia, there are so many talented artists to choose from and that are willing to work around the colours you personally select.

If you are thinking about decorating a space in your home or want to add a splash of colour to brighten up the walls in your house or office, you can contact Ani Ipradjian Art HERE