Keeping creativity in the family

RETURNING home to Ross Creek, textile designer and printmaker Monique Doust is motivated by the rural landscape.

Taking every opportunity to enjoy a bushwalk on her family’s property, she draws inspiration.

“I want to connect back to place. I do a lot of lino printing of Australian native plants,” she said.

“I’ve previously printed on fabric, but lately I’ve been working with paper. I’ve started doing iconic pub buildings as well.”

Her mother, Sylvia Doust, is also an artist in the areas of mosaics and ceramics. Although their works are very different, in some ways, they connect.

“When we put our works together, with my pots next to Monique’s lino prints, some of the colours, the imprints, and the relief work are very similar,” Sylvia said.

“I’m finding more and more, mine draw from my Latin American routes in colour and process, but they also connect to this place.

“Some of my mosaic pieces include historic photographs of local people from Smythesdale. At the time, I was exploring the isolation of women in the district during war times.”

In the last 12 months, the pair have been making art more than ever. Deciding to showcase their work together at the Smythesdale Arts and Music Fiesta, they enjoyed the opportunity to share creations with the community, and support local.

But the family is not just visually artistic. Newly formed folk-rock band, Aunty Blue performed their debut gig at the Fiesta featuring son, Harrison Doust on guitar.

“Our band was coming together, but we didn’t have any live events, so the Fiesta has been the perfect gig for us,” he said.

“It’s been a special family event for us. The night before, we were all at home just up the road practicing, jamming, and they were setting up their stall.”

Sylvia said it’s the “best feeling” to share a passion for art with her children, and to see an audience enjoy it.

“It’s special that we’re all here as a family getting to know other local artists. It was Monique and my first stall together, like a ‘coming out.’

“It’s exciting to see what will happen with Aunty Blue. I know they will do really well, with gigs already booked in Melbourne, but it’s nice for them to be sharing their talents at home,” she said.

Visit @aunty.blue.music, @monique_doust_designs and @cocomoe_studio on Instagram.