We showcase local artists in each Creative Spotlight so you can get to know the local talent! Learn about their work, their insights, their favourite things.
This week we introduce you to Lia Pipolo : A total creative slashie.
What do you do?
I do anything creative; from sewing and sketching to filmmaking and photography! But I just finished high school at 17 years old and am currently working full time at a job that is completely unrelated to anything that I have ever expressed interest in! But I love it! And more importantly, I’m earning and saving money for my gap year of a lifetime!
What is your favourite indulgence?
Sneakers! Always sneakers.
What is your most recent obsession?
About a week or so ago, my mother kindly bought me the most delicious-scented candle; watermelon flavoured from the Palm Beach collection. My recent obsession is lighting it instead of using my bed-side-table lamp. The soft light makes me super calm and sleepy before bed. (Just have to make sure to blow it out before drifting off!)
Describe your perfect weekend:
To be perfectly honest, I just don’t enjoy partying. As a 17 year old, I often ask myself ‘am I doing it wrong?’ (haha!). So my perfect weekend would probably include – throwing on a pair of chunky boots and catching a train to Surry Hills straight after work on a Friday night, to sneak into a jazz bar to meet some close friends; spending the night tapping my feet to some talented musicians. Up early on Saturday morning for a workout then spend a lazy day watching friends and The Simpsons followed by a double date games night and horror films. Then stand up paddle boarding at Balmoral beach with my amazing friend Hannah, probably followed by rehydrating my skin with a LUSH face mask, and pigging out on a kilo of lychees.
What are your biggest challenges as a creative?
I’m young, and in the past I have managed to convince myself that the art I produce would be better if I could afford more luxury items. I always seems to be challenged by my surroundings; I find it difficult to start a piece of art unless my room looks like a studio out of Pinterest, or my desk looks like a flat-lay from Tumblr. This often resorts in me taking a trip to Bunnings then IKEA, filling up on vegan meatballs, and driving home all before I can even get out the paints. But thanks to my realistic mother who struggled with this unrealistic mindset through the stress of my three major works in my HSC year, she has taught me that an amazing piece of art is not determined by the quality of the materials used, and I am starting to break these barriers.
What role does Mindfulness play in your creativity and/or life?
Not having the perfect desk/paints/studio could, at times, become so overwhelming that I would often discontinue creative (or non-creative) activities altogether. This may seem ridiculous to some, but as an anxious person, it can be quite distressing and difficult to look past. It’s not at all a materialist or selfish thing, simply an obsession for things to be ‘right’ or ‘perfect’ before being able to move forward. Through practicing mindfulness, I have been able to stop and focus on the current situation and learn to realise that my surroundings do not need to affect my work or life negatively. In fact, I have been able to use ‘stressful’ situations to my advantage, and incorporate this into my creative work or everyday life.
Find some of Lia’s rad work below, and more of her portfolio HERE .
You can follow her on Instagram too
