Rose Goodchild
Melbourne-based artist Rose Goodchild draws on the connection between art and cherished memories when painting her incredible intricate and hyperrealistic still-life works.
Photography: Annika Kafcaloudis
Rose Goodchild in her Brunswick studio. Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
Three Cans on Alfoil by Rose Goodchild. Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
‘My style of painting is pointillism – for me it’s about building up layers and layers of dots, slowly filling out the image. It’s a very slow process, so usually I work small scale.’ Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
‘This hyperrealistic style of painting isn’t for everyone, but I love to see how something we interact with that is three dimensional can be translated into two dimensional, whilst still retaining its unique material properties.’ Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
H&F: What led you here and how has your journey evolved?
Rose: From a young age, my passion for arts and crafts led me to constantly experiment with various mediums. This continued through schooling, as well as a brief stint at TAFE where I began to learn oil painting. My interests were broad, and it wasn’t until after travel that they became more focused. I moved to Melbourne to study textile design — print making and sewing became my focus for a long time. It wasn’t until lockdown where I decided to revisit painting. Despite experimenting with different styles, I struggled to achieve the level of realism I desired until I stumbled upon pointillism. This technique offered me the precision and detail I had been seeking. Fast forward to now, I spend half of my time painting and the other half working as a kitchen gardener. Both provide me with the hands-on work that I love, as well as variety in the day-to-day.
Do you have a disciplined studio routine and any rituals to help keep you focused?
I keep my studio routine pretty laid-back. I like to kick things off early and it always begins with a Moccona in hand. I don’t particularly like working in silence, so I’ll always have a podcast, music or show playing in the background. My style of art requires many layers, which takes a lot of time and at some points in the project, it’s hard to see how the piece will transform – this can obviously impact your mood and drive. Therefore it’s really important for me to show up everyday and paint something (no matter how small or insignificant).
As an artist, what’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way?
The best lesson I’ve learnt as somebody who creates realistic art is to trust what you see in that moment, regardless of how peculiar a shape or detail may appear at first glance. There is always a preconceived idea of how a subject should look, which is often different to how it appears in real life. This takes time and layers to develop. It’s always rewarding watching these layers come together in the end, especially on images with glass or other transparent materials that have reflections and unusual, warped elements. It also helps me to paint an authentic representation of the subject. This hyperrealistic style of painting isn’t for everyone, but I love to see how something we interact with that is three dimensional can be translated into two dimensional, whilst still retaining its unique material properties.
When did you first understand art as a form of expression?
As a creative child, art has always been a form of expression for me. It has served as a powerful medium to convey my ever-changing interests, cherished memories, and experiences, both the good and the challenging. I’ve used art as a way to express love to those close to me (the gifts I made when I was younger were really something to behold!), and I have used it as an alternative to journaling to document memories and travels. Whether subtle or overt, emotional or lighthearted, my art portrays parts of who I am and what I have experienced.
Do you remember a particular moment when it made an impact on you?
Because art has always been such a big part of my life, there was never some big realisation of it’s importance to me. My great grandparents were incredible artists, we always had art on the walls and there was a great respect for it not only as a hobby but also as a profession.
What drives your creativity – is it something you can easily tap into?
I think what drives my creativity is a combination of being around art and other creative people as well as my preference to stay busy with hands-on work — I really love the physical act of making. Maintaining a consistent art practice allows me to access my creative flow relatively easily. Additionally, I feel fortunate to have incredible friends who I can discuss ideas with and plan new projects. Although motivation may fluctuate, I've learned that simply engaging in the work, even for a short period, even if it's not perfect, inspires me to show up and continue the next day.
‘Although motivation may fluctuate, I've learned that simply engaging in the work, even for a short period, even if it's not perfect, inspires me to show up and continue the next day.’ Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
‘My great grandparents were incredible artists, we always had art on the walls and there was a great respect for it not only as a hobby but also as a profession.’ Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
“I feel truly grateful that I can do something I love that continuously challenges and inspires me, and most of the time, it doesn’t feel like work.”
Tart Tins by Rose Goodchild. Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
‘As a creative child, art has always been a form of expression for me. It has served as a powerful medium to convey my ever-changing interests, cherished memories, and experiences, both the good and the challenging.’ Photo: Annika Kafcaloudis
Tell us about your still life subject matter of food and dining scenes…
I originally began painting these subject matters as a way to train myself in realism. To achieve this, my friend Annika Kafcaloudis (an incredible photographer), generously allowed me to use her images, which often feature glassware, food and kitchen settings. Having a strong reference point kept me motivated, especially during those early days where my attempts rarely came out as desired. I have come to love painting subjects that have lots of intricate details, textures and surfaces. On top of that, I’m deeply sentimental and value creating meaningful connections between my art and cherished memories, many of which are intertwined with the world of food and dining.
Is this your dream job?
My week is split between being a part-time kitchen gardener and pursuing a career as an artist. I feel truly grateful that I can do something I love that continuously challenges and inspires me, and most of the time, it doesn't feel like work.
Tell us about your process when painting…
I begin with a photo, trace it, transfer to a timber board, prime it and then get started. My style of painting is pointillism – for me it’s about building up layers and layers of dots, slowly filling out the image. It’s a very slow process, so usually I work small scale. I paint from dark to light, background to foreground. My favourite part is adding the shiny white highlights at the end. I only work with acrylic paint. I've tried oils but I can’t handle the drying time and I always end up resting my hand on the wet image. To finish, I love to coat the painting with a glossy varnish to amp up the contrasts.
Which artist’s work have made an impact on you?
I’ve always been drawn to a diverse range of styles, some favourites include surrealism and pop art. I enjoy the appearance of vivid, rich colours and love works that incorporate elements of humour and satire. Some of my favourite artists are Joan Miró and René Magritte. In addition to these masters, I also draw inspiration from contemporary artists like Lola Gil, Rae Klein and Will Thornton.
What are you looking forward to most this year?
I'm really excited about trying out some new subject matters and stepping away a bit from my usual painting style. I've got plans to work on a few larger scale pieces, and I've got some commissions lined up. I'm also working towards setting up a print shop on my website, which will hopefully make my art more accessible.