Bec Winnel hopes to evoke a sensual connection to her subjects while also creating an affection for classic beauty, nature and nostalgia. Bec works with a range of mediums including coloured pencil, soft pastels and more recently, oil. Bec is a self taught artists who has gone from exploring digital art whilst studying graphic design, then to traditional techniques for her work as a represented commercial illustrator, advocate with Element Eden and her personal fine art work. Read on below as we talk with Bec Winnel about her debut RUN the dreamy Felt Carousel in the latest installation of the 1xRUN Thru Interview…
1xRun Thru Interview
Felt Carousel by Bec Winnel
1xRUN: Tell us a bit about this piece? When was it created?
Bec Winnel: The original is created with coloured pencil on matte paper, created by blending and fixing several layers. I created this piece in 2012, from start to finish I would say it took approximately 15 hours.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Bec Winnel: For some time I had been wanting to create a piece centred around a circus theme. Whilst thinking about this piece, a friend of mine was feeling sad about something and I guess, when the piece came together, it became about the sad circus girl who never made it to where she wanted to be.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Bec Winnel: Because they have an emotional section to it and like it.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Bec Winnel: sad.
Felt Carousel by Bec Winnel
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Bec Winnel: Have been making art all my life, I remember drawing realistic horse over and over when I was around 11 but have been taking my art seriously since 2007, when I began studying Graphic Design. The earliest piece I can remember is a horse I drew for my lovely little nana.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Bec Winnel: I can remember being strongly moved by the work of Brett Whiteley and the artists of the Renaissance period.
Brett Whiteley
1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Bec Winnel: I am still inspired by the same artists and period but also have found so many other artists that I love today including Lily Piri, Audrey Kawasaki, Kris Lewis, Tom Bagashaw, Amy Sol, Marco Mazzoni and the list goes on!
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what? If not then what is your environment like when you work?
Bec Winnel: I go through stages. If I have bought a new album I’m likely to listen to that for a few weeks. The most recent album I bought was Seeker Lover Keeper by Holly Throsby. When I’m feeling border with my music I’ll listen to some podcasts, usually physiology ones or watch TV series, just finished watching breaking bad. Sometimes I like just sitting in silence, listening to the birds about side or the rain on the roof.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Bec Winnel: I would be to scared to collaborate with any artists for fear of ruining the piece! I would love to work with Leonardo Da Vinci if he were alive. His mind baffles me, he was so amazing.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it?
Bec Winnel: I think my first piece was a piece by Lily Piri. Unfortunately I don’t still have it because the gallery made a boo boo and sold it to two different people. I had to give it back. I was devastated. Luckily, I have since bought another Lily Pirri piece :)
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Bec Winnel: I think it was actually another Lily Pirri piece, a hand painted necklace of a deer.
Lilly Pirri
1xRun: What have you been up to lately? What else do you have coming up?
Bec Winnel: Lately I took a few weeks off over the Christmas / New Years period and spent it with my family. Was really nice to have a little break from art, kind of felt like ‘renewal’ time. Last year was my first year as a full time artist. It was a lot of work and a lot of worry about paying bills but I made it, so I’m so happy and grateful for that.
I’m really looking forward to 2013 and hopes it’s going to be a great year! I’m continuing on with my art full time and staying on in the country. There’s a few group shows lined up and in September I’ll be heading over to the States with my sister for my solo show at Thinkspace, pretty much a dream come true!
1xRun: Where else can people find you on the internette?
Bec Winnel: – Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram: @becwinnel
-1xRUN