LYNSEY STIRLAND-MITCHELL

CATBEAGLE CREATIONS

KOOKABURRA VISIT

JUST SITTING

FOREST WALK

SORRY, YOU TALKING TO ME!?

ARTIST CARD

HIS, ALWAYS

PORTO, IN BLACK & WHITE

WATERLOGGED

SMOKING KILLS

Meet your artist Lynsey Stirland-Mitchell

Perth, WA Australia

Website : https://artistsdownunder.com.au/artist-3/lynsey-stirland-mitchell/

I live in Perth, Western Australia. From England originally, my parents moved to NZ when I was 13 and I moved to Oz in my twenties. I’m semi-retired and before covid blind-sided us all my partner & I were enjoying the nomad life, chasing the sun between Australia, NZ, and Europe, house sitting and completing pilgrim Caminos.

How did you become interested/get started in Photo Artistry and what inspires you or gives you inspiration to create your art?

I retired five years ago and was looking for a retirement hobby. First I tried my hand at photography but I wasn’t particularly successful at it and wasn’t really getting the enjoyment out of it that I thought I would. I was browsing FB one day and came across an ad for Sebastian’s Photo Artistry course. As soon as I saw what fabulous images people were producing I wanted to be able to do that, so I signed up.

Inspiration for me is still being amazed that I can create an image I love and would hang on my wall. I’m hoping that never gets tired.

Do you have a certain approach to creating your art?

Not really, I usually have a vague idea for an image but often find once I start it goes off in its own direction.

What does your art mean to you?

If you had asked me a short time ago I would have said I don’t have a creative bone in my body and I’ve never done anything creative. My work life was all in computer science & logistics and, as such, logic ruled the day. I love that I have found a way to be creative that also suits my love of software.

Do you think since starting in Photo Artistry it has changed you and if so, how?

Absolutely! The one thing in particular I’ve noticed is that I now hear someone say something or read a phrase in a book and I think “ooh that would make a great image”. As I said, I was never a creative person, but now I’m proud to tell people I’m a digital artist.

Is there anyone that you draw inspiration from?

I have always loved surrealism, especially Dali, and I’m hoping my art heads in that direction. But for now I just use the inspiration garnered from all you amazing artists to keep moving forward.

Where do you see (or hope to see) your art taking you in the future? What are your next steps?

I don’t have any great aspirations for my art. My first goal is to finish the Awake course, with the help of my wonderful friends on the Photo Artistry Working Group Facebook page. My second goal I guess is to pin down and hone my personal style.