“James Cockington from the financal review has speculated that the future worth of her paintings will be worth 5 million in 2050. Oatley is a highly promotable rising star creating bold, edgy and confrontational work.”
2006 SMH financial Review James Cockington

I am excited to introduce you to a rising art star from down under in this weeks Artist Spotlight Series feature.

Mia Oatley

Sydney, Austalia

What is your training?

I studied fine art at NAS

and UWS in Sydney and also did a short stint studying fashion design. I probably studied for about 7 years all up…not because I’m diligent, but mainly because I kept dropping out of courses when I was in my early twenties and restarting them! In any case finally finishing my arts course gave me a great sense of achievement and a pretty fluid drawing style.

What inspires you and your designs?

Right now I’m really into foliage and nature, and some of styling I see on Instagram. I love great design and street and festival art, anything fresh and interesting.When it comes to my work, I give some thought to how I can marry up some great subjects, that have a saleable vibe, and the rest is inituitive and where the magic happens.

 What is your favorite piece?

I recently moved my studio by the ocean and I noticed a lot of blues greens, and very vibrant clear colours appear in the work straight away.

 

What is your favorite restaurant in (your city)?

I like to try new places rather than stick with the same one, so don’t really have a fav but can recommend Chester White

and Nomad

and since we are giving Resturaunts a plug I’d love recommend 2Fish restaurant owned by our family up in Port Douglas the thumbs up. Delicious!  It also has a huge 9m long mural that I painted.

 

What is your favorite cocktail?

Margarita!

How do you balance personal life and work?

I find I work really hard for several month blocks.. then take a break or at least slow down a bit. I don’t know why it works this way, but it never works out that you will have a steady stream of commissions or exhibitions. Opportunities tend to fall all at once!

Dream trip?

Mexico, India, Morroco, New York! I love travel so have lots of dream trips!

 

Dream commission?

Gorman Obus, YSL, Romance Was Born any will do!

Your favorite host / hostess gift to give?

Wine for sure, then I help them drink it 🙂

Who is your style icon?

A toss up between Brigitte Bardot,

and Alexa Chung.

Your favorite up and coming artist?

Roy Wilkins,

Katie Mckinnon,

and Emily Besser.

What is your most treasured possession?

I love my art books 🙂

What are you reading?

I’ve got a few self helpie type books on the go..winners Bible, Ask and it is Given.

I’m also having a reflick through my In Patterns: Marimekko book so great! 

What are you listening to?

 94.5 A great radio station in Sydney.

What are your favorite blogs / publications?

Always love Real Living Mag,

Inside Out Mag,

The Design Files.

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Enjoy a sample of Mia’s incredible portfolio….

Follow Mia’s blog, Instagram, and Facebook.

I hope to add one of these beauties to my personal collection one day! 

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