#OtomysRecommends with Contemporary Australian Artist, Emma Itzstein

My family and I returned to our home state of WA last year after a decade living in Victoria. It has been beautiful to reconnect with the west Australian landscape. The beach holds a special place in our heart so it has been nurturing to return to the water - my parents live in Dunsborough on the south west coast - so it has been grounding to spend so much time bush walking to the coast with my family.

 

Unfortunately earlier this year, fires ravaged the town’s centre (thankfully the 300 firefighters saved everyone's homes), but came within 20m of my parent’s home. Seeing the devastation caused by the fires was scary and sad, but I’m looking forward to seeing the new growth of neon greens against the blackened trees - always an important reminder of rebirth and resilience after destruction.

Settling back into home life has seen us spending a lot of time nurturing our new native garden - a regular Pilates practice at a beautiful studio that values mindful movement - and school drop offs and pick ups through bush scrub.

For the first time in my life, I also have a sun drenched studio with a west facing window to let in the sea breeze (or the Freo doctor as we call it) - as well as a gorgeous garden to have my lunch in.

Recently I revisited “Clementine’s Garden” in Darlington in Perth’s hills, to visit my dear friend Bronte and her daughter Clementine and husband (and garden custodian) Josh - (and their chickens, ducks and peacocks) - I’ve been taking preliminary sketches and photos to paint Bronte’s portrait - it’s been a treat to spend time with them at their home and witness the garden change through the seasons. Josh has let me borrow this book; “Garden a Day” after my latest visit.

... however it will be competing with my latest finds; with Braided Grass, Mothering Myths and Amy Sillman’s faux pas - taking up a lot of brain space right now; these books are research for my upcoming body of work, weaving together ideas of the garden and nature as teacher and nurturer and the impact of motherhood on creativity and artistic exploration.

I’ve also been spending a bit of time revisiting AGWA, Perth’s state gallery; attending regular talks by curators on their permanent and touring collections; like this stunning photography show by Henry Roy. Also pictured; a close up of a Frank Auerbauch masterpiece.

I’m also listening to the new Bon Iver album, one of my favourite musicians; Justin Vernon’s new work is about emerging from a depression, finding love and lightness and in a way grieving or accepting chapters left behind, to welcome something fresh.