Autumn Skye: Painting With Passion

This week's Earth Frequency Festival is more than just a four-day event catering to the music heads.

There will be so much more to explore at the Ivory's Rock location. One artist who'll be on site creating new works will be Autumn Skye. We asked fellow artist Izzy Ivy to have a chat with Autumn. Here's the transcript.

Autumn Skye painting

Where do you get your inspiration from?
Inspiration is like breath, an energy that flows through us, not from us, and needs only to be opened to and allowed, trusted and celebrated. It is a bi-product of life, of living, of seeing, and of appreciation. It cannot be 'got': it comes through like a river and cannot be held.

What kind of space do you need for your painting environment: does this need to be be a solace space or can you paint anywhere?
I'm grateful that I can literally paint in any environment, whether it is in the midst of a high-energy music concert, the lobby of some resort, a secluded place in nature, a boisterous festival, or my home-studio sanctuary (though this is my personal favourite of course). Regardless of the surrounding environment, and whether or not there is music playing or people chatting with me, I find my stillness and inspiration in every brushstroke.



What is the procedure for when you are about to start a painting?
The creation of my paintings is like a waking dream, a dance with inspiration and colour, allowing the imagery to unveil itself to me as I journey through the piece. I am a witness. When I begin a painting, though I may have a loose idea of where I think it may go, I set the intention to trust the journey and 'listen' to the painting. By mentally stepping out of the way, yet staying present consciously and spiritually, I am filled with wonder and delight at each brushstroke. This process is my greatest teacher and metaphor for the dance of life. When I trust and relax into this amazing journey, I am gifted and guided in profound and blessed ways.

Besides that, when at home in my studio, I light a candle, smudge the space or burn incense, and play music that inspires and uplifts me. I often dance between brushstrokes, and periodically take breaks to go outside and turn my face up to the sun, rain, or stars to get refreshed. Your paintings have a beautiful flow to them.

Autumn Skye painting

Is dance or music an element that is incorporated in some way?
Music is a very important tool for me in my creative process. I love music, and am so blessed to have been exposed to many styles in my life, and many creative-musician friends who are producing incredible soundscapes which perfectly support my spirit while I am painting.



How long do you roughly spend on a painting?
I don't have a clock in my studio, nor have I ever kept track of the time it takes to create a finished piece. Every painting is different, and so often there are times while not painting that I am thinking of a painting, or other times when I need to completely paint over something that may have taken me many hours or day to do; so I really don't know how I would ever keep track of the realistic 'time' put into a piece. This is one of the most common questions I get asked, and I know that as a society we are obsessed with time. However, it is not an important part of my process. The painting is complete when it is complete. That said, if a number is needed, I would say my average painting takes an average of 50-500 hours.

What kind of paint do you use and why do you like to use it?
Though I have experimented with many mediums, I prefer acrylic paints. (I usually use Liquitex or Golden brands). I find that acrylic paints, if you are patient and work with them and their strengths (rather than trying to persuade them to be oil paints), they are the most versatile of all mediums. Through patience and many layers of transparent glazing, they can produce results nearly indistinguishable from oil paints, but without needing to work with toxic solvents. Or when thinned into washes and applied delicately, they can create water-colour effects, but without being delicate and susceptible to water and sunlight damage, and can be later worked on top of with more layers or other mediums.

Autumn Skye painting

Are the people in the images drawn from life or do you make them up?
Though I have sometimes had friends pose for specific paintings, many of the women in my paintings are based on photographs that I have taken of myself. However, typically they are not intended to be self-portraits. I always tell people when they ask, 'I am my most convenient model', though it is more than that. I allow each figure and character to speak through me as I paint. My hand moves, ideas flow, I exaggerate the hips or the lips. I do not cling to likeness or a pre-conceived image of 'who' this being is what is emerging. The painting becomes a mirror. She is no longer me, she's a reflection of our light and shadow, our feminine essence, and our ancient divinity. I believe that if you step into a painting looking to find the artist, you will only find yourself.



Many of your creations include the female form. I also feel this affinity as an artist and wondered what your reasons were?
I paint what comes through me, and at this time it seems to be the feminine 'goddess' archetype. Humanity is healing, and specifically our ideas of 'masculine' and 'feminine' are being healed and coming into balance. The creative spirit is feminine, and she is calling out to be heard, healed, trusted, and celebrated. That is what many of my paintings are in honour of (please note here that I do not mean 'woman' when I refer to feminine, as all of us are made up of both masculine and feminine energies).

With my paintings of the feminine, I aim to offer: honesty, vulnerability, beauty, and openness that the viewer is able to connect with and responds to. I believe that paintings are a safe place, they hold space for us reflect. They are not jarring or overtly sexual, they are subtle and sensual, poignant and compassionate.

The images you paint seem to have a strong spiritual energy about them, are there are key elements to your lifestyle that influences the way you see the world. Do you have a practice or some fundamental ideas you wish to share?
I believe that it is our divine duty and our spiritual responsibility to create art (of ANY medium) and to help uplift humanity, especially at this time of change. As we honour our personal, creative paths, we contribute vitally to the whole through our own well-being, by inspiring those around us and encouraging them to create as well, and by manifesting visual mirrors to the light, potential, and divinity of each viewer.


I believe that the role of the artist is especially crucial at this challenging and exciting time, while the world is at the precipice of momentous change. We have an opportunity to transmute the shadow and pain that we witness in the world around us into visions of wholeness. Artists are map-makers, and those maps can help guide humanity forward into new and positive ways of seeing and being.

It seems there is an increasing amount of artists drawn to creating visionary art. What do you think the future of visionary art is and what is your stance on how it could perhaps shift consciousness of those who experience it?
As in any form of art: dance, painting, music, healing, cooking, gardening etc. as we release judgment, move past our mind, breathe deep into the process and find bliss in each step, we realise that we are boundlessly assisted in our expression. We are able to see that the art is not born of us, but through us, and in this knowing we are humbled yet profoundly empowered.

In regards to the specific movement of visionary art, I feel that all of this is honoured and tapped into to a huge extent. Each artist's tool or vehicle may be different in how we find that flow of spiritual inspiration; through meditation, dance, shamanic journeys etc. but the language of light is what we have in common. Each creation is an offering: a positive reflection of ourselves and humanity, a celebration of evolving consciousness, an opportunity for healing and deepening, a vision of a bright future and now.

Do you have a muse or beings you dedicate your process to?
Life is my muse: love, gaia, cosmic energy, god, the universe, spirit or whatever name by which you may chose to call god.

Has painting always been your preferred choice of creation?
Though painting is my first love, and the current focus of my life's work, I also have a deep love for singing and writing music, poetry, cooking, sewing, dancing, creating spaces (interior and exterior design) and event production.

Where you encouraged to paint as a child? Was your family encouraging when you chose to make art a career?
I was blessed with total support of my creative exploration while growing up. There was never a doubt of what I would do with my life, and even before I knew the concept of 'artist', I knew who I was and what I was here to do. I have not completed an academic training, but I have been painting since I was old enough to hold a brush. Drawing before I could walk or talk.

I believe paint runs in my veins, and every colour and texture I lay my sight on is translated by my imagination into ideas for new paintings. I am a 'young' artist, at 28-years-old, but I feel an ancient calling stir every time I open my eyes in the morning. I have known no more humbling and empowering teacher than art.

Autumn Skye is part of Earth Frequency Festival at Ivory's Rock 12-15 February.

– written by Izzy Ivy