THIS week we chat with local digital artist and City of Greater Bendigo arts officer First Nations Michellie Charvat, who discovered digital art was a pivotal connection point for her and her creative practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
What motivated you to become a digital artist?<\/strong><\/p>\n I started experimenting with digital art in 2020 during the first year of COVID-19.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been working as an independent artist for around ten years now and prior to 2020 my arts practice had been very project focused.<\/p>\n However, during the first round of lockdowns, six-to-12 months worth of projects were (basically) cancelled, leaving me in a pretty vulnerable position.<\/p>\n I felt unmotivated, uninspired and isolated, like most people at the time.<\/p>\n Discovering digital art was a pivotal connection point for me and my creative practice.<\/p>\n I really appreciated how accessible the medium was for me to use and it opened up new opportunities.<\/p>\n How would you describe your style?<\/strong><\/p>\n My work is contemporary, often using very bold colours and playing with diverse textures or layers.<\/p>\n I explore my Aboriginal heritage, cultural and personal identity and use my practice as a space for me to process and express the way I engage with the world, my beliefs and growing knowledge, as well as my reflections on how the world responds to me.<\/p>\n I like experimenting with different materials and techniques that either contribute to the meaning of the artwork or challenge me as an artist.<\/p>\n Which other digital artists inspire you?<\/strong><\/p>\n Charlotte Allingham is an incredible digital artist based in Naarm.<\/p>\n She\u2019s Aboriginal too and is one of the artists that inspired me to give digital art a try.<\/p>\n Her work is strong in Aboriginal themes, culture and expression while often having a really whimsical nature.<\/p>\n Have you had any mentors over your career so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve had incredible artists and industry professionals support me in my career and offer me some absolute pearls of wisdom over the years.<\/p>\n I think it\u2019s really important to find people in your life that you can bounce ideas off and talk to.<\/p>\n My (parents) have always been my biggest supporters and my dad has always guided me and helped execute my big ideas.<\/p>\n I also have a great friend, Troy, (who) has mentored me since the very beginning.<\/p>\n What are some highlights you have from your time as a digital artist so far?<\/strong><\/p>\n Definitely having my digital artwork \u2018Keep the Fire Burning\u2019 installed across the windows of the Emporium Creative Hub.<\/p>\n (It\u2019s) always been my dream to contribute to the Bendigo CBD landscape and although that has since come down, for close to 12 months it stood there strong.<\/p>\n