Togetherness is a story rich in the cultural fibre of family and connection. We caught up with Maralma to hear more about her home and her practice.

 

Q. Tell us a little about you in a nutshell?

A: I’m a wife and mum of 4 children, I am a proud Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay woman from Lightning Ridge, NSW. My totem is the emu and would you believe that the emu is my and my children’s favourite animal! You wouldn’t be able to tell through my art but I do have a favourite colour…. PINK!


Q: Your artworks are known for their storytelling with uplifting, bright colours. Where do you find inspiration for your artwork and colour palette?

A: My children, they LOVE bright colours, it brings so much joy and happiness into their lives and I try to incorporate that into each piece of art I create.
My home Lightning Ridge has strong vibrant colours such as the red dirt, when I’m home I love watching the sundown, there is always different beautiful tones of oranges reds and pinks.
Lightning ridge is also very known for the famous Black Opal, the Black Opal is filled with beautiful colours!
All my paintings and symbols reflect family, gatherings, friendships, the land, our beautiful foods animals and plants.

Q. Your piece "Togetherness" tells a story of family and connections. Tell us about the special places in your local environment where you connect with your loved ones?

A: I love being home in my community in Lightning Ridge, gathering with all my family. It’s where I feel like I am home the most. It’s where I belong and it will always be my favourite place to go and spend my time.

Q: You work from home. Tell us about your work space?

A: I create all my artwork on the floor or my kitchen bench.


Q: Tell us about your creative process? How do you get into your creative happy place?

A: People will share a journey or story they would like a painting to represent. It’s always lovely hearing everyone stories, learning and getting to know my clients more, that is what guides me, and where I put my paint brushes to work and begin the process of creating their story in my symbols.

Whenever I am holding my paint brush, I feel like nothing else matters, it’s where I get to switch off, play my music and paint these beautiful stories for people to hang in their space and share on with others.


Q. What are you currently binge watching?

A: Binge watching... as a mum of 4 I don't really get too much time to watch anything. I enjoy sitting and watching the odd movie on Netflix though

Q: We've seen you on Playschool teaching pre schoolers about your totem animal, the Emu. And we're crushing on your latest  "Dreaming" collab with Bed Bath n Table. You are one busy lady! What’s next for Maralma King?

A:To continue painting my stories, creating personal paintings that my clients can relate to in their spaces and shops! also taking every opportunity to be able to share on my culture!

Melanie Macilwain is a self taught artist exploring movement and florals. She is inspired by rhythm, connection and shared stories and how it can positively impact impact our lives. Melanie is thrilled to collaborate with Picnic Season to be apart of your experience connecting with others.

Q. Tell us a little about you in a nutshell?

A: I live in South West Victoria and absolutely love the rain which is lucky because it rains a lot in Port Fairy. My husband and I juggle family life at the moment but mostly recently we have purchased an older camper. We are excited to hit the road and make memories with our two little boys. Perfect timing to test out our Picnic Season collab!


Q: Tell us about your special corner of South Western Victoria. How did you come to call Port Fairy home?

A: We moved due to work commitments and luckily we landed in one of the most beautiful parts of Victoria. Not just for looks but community too.


Q. Your work is adored for its characteristic joyful bright colours and exploration of movement. How has your artistic style evolved throughout your career?

A: I am not professionally trained so I am working backwards or ‘learning on the job’. I make more and more mistakes now I feel but it has landed me with some paintings that people know are me. Although I am proud of my work there are some I’m unsure of. Half of how I work involves rhythm and flowers like in our collab. For the last two years I’m considering colours and movements to explain weaved stories and experiences we share with others. As time has it and life changes, I think it’s healthy to form new connections with others. We seem to sew in our old stories to develop a new story for us. This is basically making sense of what’s going on around us. We grow, change, stop, compare ect. But it’s important to experience this to keep that rhythm moving. My florals change as do colours in the moving line. This is my translation.


Q: It’s clear that you draw inspiration from the natural world around you. How does your lived experience of your environment translate onto canvas?

A: I just love the movement of dance, the form of waves rolling into the ocean, people talking, the roads through the country, film, childrens books written a good rhythm. Everything has a movement that is natural. I’m definitely extending my thoughts from what natural means. It’s a natural rhythm that links, that I’m interested in. The ‘linking’ part is the key word there. Eg The ocean carries a wave that people use to surf, they dance on boards and people watch them amazed and then go home to create art, bake, garden… do you see the connection? A flow of energy. I can see it everywhere… so you’re right to say it has influenced my signature line work. The line connects it all.


Q. What inspired your piece "Dive of Life”? How did this piece evolve along the way?

A: I’ve become a fan of trail running recently. I completely a 21km trail through Halls Gap before I started the Dive Of Life. It’s so beautiful in that area. It’s so fun to wake up early with a similar minded people and challenge yourself for hours. It gives you a buzz and it’s a lot of thinking time alone, but sharing that time is good too because the stories you hear are hilarious, sad and everything else in between. The views have to be seen! I recommend it

Q: You work from a studio on your property. Tell us about your work space?

A: My work space is your standard Aussie tin shed but the interior has been fitted out with all the home comforts of plaster, desks, lighting. It’s a work in progress but I find it hard to have dedicated areas because I flip into different sized canvases often. It’s a living space shall we say. And messy! Ha

Q: Tell us about your creative process? How do you get into your creative happy place?

A: To put it simply, I make sure the dishes are done and I have a list to tick off for the day. I try and write it the night before so I’m clear on what needs to be done. I work best this way. In the background, I’m always looking at new artists and being inspired or talking to friends who live beyond the box. They’re good to expand ideas with.


Q. What are you currently binge watching?

A: I don’t binge but I love Have You Been Paying Attention every Monday. It’s so cheeky


Q: What’s next for Melanie Macilwain?

A: I’ll be plotting what’s next over the next two years whilst our boys are young. For now my priorities are my family and not putting too much on myself to do. But I can’t wait to commit to all my ideas once time is more available. I think what is achievable in the immediate future is meeting people in the creative arts area, learning new skills, mapping out ideas, networking and keeping my book work up to date. I’m saying that I really want to get into community arts.

Q: Where else can we find your art?

A: On my Instagram and with the nice people and Forman Art.

 

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