My Story
Finding my way back to art and building a life around it.
"Do you want to be a starving artist?"
Art has always been in my life. I would watch my mum doing crafts for her small business, making fairies out of calico, and would occasionally join her with my own project.
But as I got older, I was taught that there is no money in art and that it wasn't a real path. "Do you want to be a starving artist?"
But as I got older, I was taught that there is no money in art and that it wasn't a real path. "Do you want to be a starving artist?"
Me when I was younger
By year 11, I had no idea what I wanted to be. "Artist" wasn't an option. My mum recommended becoming a Geologist, so for my senior years of high school, I studied chemistry and biology trying to convince myself that it fit when I knew deep down it didn't.
After high school, I travelled around and I eventually started a program in graphic design, where I could use my creativity, but in a structured way. It felt like a compromise but also something stable. During my degree, I spent 8 months studying abroad at the University of Leeds. I had no money to get a ticket home to Australia so I took a year off to live and work in Ireland. Later, I went to live and study in Toronto for a semester.
Those years formed me as a person, but I didn't make much art. I procrastinated (something I may still struggle with) and would have big dreams and ideas, but my perfectionism would make me feel paralysed. I just figured being an artist wasn't in the cards.
Those years formed me as a person, but I didn't make much art. I procrastinated (something I may still struggle with) and would have big dreams and ideas, but my perfectionism would make me feel paralysed. I just figured being an artist wasn't in the cards.
In Dublin with a fat Guiness (2016)
Throughout my 20's I travelled extensively, visiting 20 or so countries across Europe and the Americas. I fell in love with culture, food and the freedom that came with it, using that time to search for who I am.
- Erica and I on a tour in Marrakesh, Morocco
- Kat and I after missing a ferry to Dublin (we were around the corner)
- Isle of Skye
In 2019, with $300 in my pocket (because of mishaps while travelling), I landed in Canada where I ventured into a career in Hotel Management, trying to find something stable. However, I eventually learned that that path is just not for me either.
In 2020 I started managing a summer lodge in the Rockies. In the winter months, in Canmore, I met a group of artistic and eclectic ladies who invited me to live with them in Castlegar, BC.
This was my reintroduction back to art.
Living in Canmore, circa 2021
They decorated the house with bright colours, neon strip lights and random art pieces. They stayed up until the early hours of the night painting and partying. They were creating without expectation or pressure and I quickly learned that art doesn't need to be perfect and I don't need permission to make art. I could just begin!
I started painting trippy, bright and bold paintings, morphing many concepts together like the deep sea diver in space and experimenting with colour and surrealism. This place helped quiet my inner critic and I look back on the time with so much gratitude.
I started painting trippy, bright and bold paintings, morphing many concepts together like the deep sea diver in space and experimenting with colour and surrealism. This place helped quiet my inner critic and I look back on the time with so much gratitude.
Deep Sea Diver (2021)
24x36 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
24x36 inches
Acrylic on Canvas
In 2021 I moved to Vancouver and in 2023 I married my lovely husband, Darren. He encourages me everyday (and maybe sometimes pesters me) to make art. I am very thankful to have him as if I didn't have him, I would still be procrastinating (and going to bed at 2am).
In 2024 I started volunteering for the Vancouver Visual Art Foundation. I started as a general volunteer, helping with art classes and setting up the event, finding my place in the Vancouver art space. I have been working with them, making videos for their the Art Downtown 2025 event and now for Art Vancouver 2026.
Social media has showed me that there are new ways to build a life around art. It made me realise that making art doesn't have to mean "struggling to survive".
Social media has showed me that there are new ways to build a life around art. It made me realise that making art doesn't have to mean "struggling to survive".
In the past couple of years, I began looking more deeply into my own ancestry. I had always known I had Māori heritage, through my mum and grandad, but growing up in Australia after moving there at six years old, I hadn’t really explored it.
Before we moved to Australia, I attended a rural school near Patea where we learned kapa haka, played the stick game, and used poi. Reconnecting with those early memories has taken on new meaning and it has started to influence my creative practice. I’ve begun exploring Māori concepts such as wairua (spirit), whenua (land), and the connections between people, place, and identity through my work.
Before we moved to Australia, I attended a rural school near Patea where we learned kapa haka, played the stick game, and used poi. Reconnecting with those early memories has taken on new meaning and it has started to influence my creative practice. I’ve begun exploring Māori concepts such as wairua (spirit), whenua (land), and the connections between people, place, and identity through my work.
This year, I made a big leap and I applied to become an exhibitor at Art Vancouver 2026.
I am now preparing to show my work in a large exhibition for the very first time. It feels both daunting and exciting at the same time. It feels like everything is coming full circle, but this is only the beginning.
By story is still developing and I’m still becoming the artist I once thought I couldn’t be.
Watch this space!
I am now preparing to show my work in a large exhibition for the very first time. It feels both daunting and exciting at the same time. It feels like everything is coming full circle, but this is only the beginning.
By story is still developing and I’m still becoming the artist I once thought I couldn’t be.
Watch this space!
Be the first to hear about new artworks,
creative insights, and upcoming art class announcements.
creative insights, and upcoming art class announcements.
© All Rights Reserved. Tessiebubble Art.
