INTERVIEW WITH
Lydia Greaves
Lydia Greaves is a freelance illustrator originally from Norwich U.K., currently living in Perth, Australia.
How do you deal with validation and satisfaction, in essence to art?
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I used to really take any validation or criticism majorly to heart when it came to art and I think it is hard not to as in my opinion, creating artwork really is like placing a piece of your heart into the world. However, in the last few years, I’ve learnt to allow people their opinions no matter how they sit with my view of a piece, simply down to the fact it is all subjective & if artists took everything to heart they’d probably stop creating eventually because it is too painful.
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What are you trying to communicate through your work?
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My main aim through my work always is to convey a feeling of safety, warmth and comfort. I really want people to look at a piece and feel like they’re being given a big hug. Sometimes my illustrations also carry a message and these are usually around taking care of yourself or affirming yourself.
Whenever you feel restless, do you, perhaps, also look at your art as a way to comfort yourself? If not, tell us about your self-care routine!
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I tend to draw whenever I feel restless but rarely just look at my own drawings, however there are many artists who I do find a safe space.
Some examples are Haley Tippmann, Kelley Vivian, Marc Majewski and many many more. Other self care practices in my routine extend from going to the movies, cooking, surfing, skiing and basically anything my heart really desires in that moment.
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​How does being a woman affect your work and career?
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I think that being a woman allows me to relate to other women, just like being into chocolate allows you to relate to other chocolate lovers. I’m not sure if it’s visible in my work but I’d say the biggest way it feels like a blessing is the other amazing female artists in this space that I get to meet & connect with through art!
Favourite piece of art by an emerging artist?
There’s a painting by Jackie Anderson called ‘How the Light Gets In’ that I’m utterly obsessed with!!!
In honour of our Ghibli issue, please suggest to our readers some Ghibli films!
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This may be a very common one to recommend but I could watch the food scenes of Howl’s Moving Castle over and over again! The movie was shown to me by my old housemate & ever since has made me feel very cosy & at home!