Gemma Rasdall
Scotland Island-based artist Gemma Rasdall’s soothing works speak to her deep love for the water, the natural landscape and sailing.
Words: Holly Terry I Photography: Natalie Page
‘Despite all this, being an artist was never really the plan – as a kid I thought the dream job would be interior yacht design,’ says Gemma Rasdall. Photo: Natalie Page
‘What I love the most about boat life is being part of the landscape… it’s made me appreciate what’s most important to me in life: living in tune with nature, owning little material possessions, being creative, constantly learning and spending as much time on the water as possible,’ says Gemma Rasdall. Photo: Natalie Page
Katie + Bergia’s, North-East by Gemma Rasdall. ‘Watercolour is unpredictable, and paper is cheap so mistakes don’t matter, after a few weeks of experimenting I found myself finally feeling relaxed again in the studio. Using this new medium as well as gouache on paper my paintings became more immediate and expressive,’ says Gemma Rasdall.
Creating since a young age, it is no surprise that Scotland Island based Painter Gemma Rasdall is on her current trajectory, ‘After school art classes, entering art competitions, art excursions to galleries and hand-painting birthday cards were integral parts of my childhood,’ she shares.
‘My parents were also keen sailors and co-owned a little timber yacht with my grandpa that we went out on regularly in beautiful Pittwater. From around 8, we joined the local sailing club (Avalon Sailing Club) and I spent the rest of my adolescence sailing every Sunday.’
Known for her use of acrylic, charcoal and alternative materials such as recycled sailcloth and simple stitching, recently the artist begun experimenting with watercolour and paper purely as a tool to overcome some creative anxiety she was struggling with.
Clearly a great move, her paper works drew the attention of many; Gemma was selected as a 2022 finalist for the Wynne art prize, held at the Art Gallery of NSW. In preparation for the entry, Gemma placed a call out to her island neighbours for use of their north, west, east and south facing balconies, and went on to paint mini vistas of differing views of the breathtaking Scotland Island waterscape.
‘Working small was a deliberate attempt to create little vistas that I could group together as well as for practical reasons (moving artwork across the water in boats is difficult at the best of times). It was important to me to tell a story of my home and pay tribute to my wonderful community here,’ says Gemma.
“My art practice became my highest priority and I could no longer justify wasting 8 hours a day working on something else. So I took the leap and quit my job to paint full-time. That was almost 5 years ago, and I haven’t looked back.”
‘To see my artwork hanging on the walls of the Art Gallery of New South Wales alongside many of my heroes has been so surreal and I’m still pinching myself!’ says Gemma Rasdall. Photo: Natalie Page
Gemma Rasdall’s paper works have drawn the attention of many, she was selected as a 2022 finalist for the Wynn art prize, held at the Art Gallery of NSW. Photo: Natalie Page
For Gemma, the landscape and the sea has long been her sanctuary. There, she escapes the chaos of the everyday to slow down and quite literally move with the wind as she spends her days aboard her home, a 35ft Niagara sailing yacht.
‘In tune with nature you can observe every little change, from the shape of the clouds to the reflections of the light on the water’s surface. The transforming beauty of this landscape is infinite and offers endless inspiration for art making,’ says Gemma.
Her yacht is moored off Scotland Island, NSW, which means the quick tinnie journey she takes in the early hours with her dog, Arkie from her boat to her studio located on the island is a daily occurrence. After checking her crab trap for any catches, she wanders into the studio shed which she rents, and the creation begins. Though, it is not unusual for the artist to utilise her home as a studio.
‘She is the perfect vessel to paint from and I often take my sketch book, watercolours and gouache set on board. I use a drone a lot in my art practice to get aerial imagery and have enjoyed the challenge of trying to launch and land it in the dinghy. (This usually involves my partner Owen circling below as I try to land it in his hands).’
This year, Gemma will be challenging herself as unfamiliar landscapes become her must. She is currently travelling the UK and Europe (with a sketchbook and gouache set handy, always) and will be experiencing an artist residency in Chateau Orquevaux, France in August. Her work will be exhibited as part of the 2022 Wynn Art Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW until August 28.
‘She is the perfect vessel to paint from and I often take my sketch book, watercolours and gouache set on board,’ says Gemma Rasdall. Photo: Natalie Page
