INTERVIEW with Phoebe Hofsteede  || Photographic and Mixed Media Artist

Written By Suzanne Dang



SD: Hi Phoebe! Can you please introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?

PH: Hello, I’m Phoebe and I'm a photographic and mixed media artist. I use my photographic images of portraits, landscapes or still life objects to create unique artworks by applying pressed flowers and collage pieces to them.

SD: Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?

PH: I've always been a creative person, I remember even as a child telling fellow students in my Grade Five class that I wanted to be an illustrator or a cartoonist. But when I discovered photography during my bachelors degree at age 19, I realised I had found my format, and have been experimenting since.

SD: Can you tell us about the process of making your work?

PH: I have several steps that go into the making of my work, and they don't necessarily always happen in any set order. I often develop concepts first, or have a vision of what I want a piece to look like. I start with researching my idea, reading articles, looking up visual references and if any other artwork already exists with a similar concept and I study how they approached it. 

I then set up a photo shoot day where I photograph a model, object or scene that I want to use as the basis of my work - I try to tackle a few different ideas/looks/angles whilst I'm shooting to take full advantage of all possible scenarios. Once I have all the images I need, I spend quite a bit of time sorting through and editing the images with Lightroom and Photoshop. I narrow the images down to a handful and create test prints of these to see which one represents my message best. I then sketch over the image a plan of composition for the mixed media elements so I can gauge what looks best visually. Before I get the official print done, I figure out which frame the work will be preserved in - I collect vintage and antique picture frames as I love the aesthetic and am a big fan of recycled materials. Once I've decided which image and picture frame I will use, I get the image printed at a professional printing place, or print from home on my Epson printer (depending what size I need the work to be).

In between all these steps, I am collecting and pressing flowers and leaves, or cutting out collage pieces from vintage gardening books to add to my collection so that when my print is ready, I have an array of materials to choose from. The pressing flowers stage of my work is an involved process itself which can take weeks.

When creating the final work, it usually takes me about a day to compose all the pieces, using my sketched test print as reference on where to place all the mixed media elements. This part can be quite testing, as I like to layer the elements and since they're so delicate, they can easily break or move with just one breath! It really tests my patience, but I love the fine detail of it all.

I allow the composition to rest over night and look at it again the next day with fresh eyes before committing to gluing it all down. Gluing all the pieces is also another level of patience, but I often play music to keep me motivated and just zone out.

Once the piece is complete, I photograph if for online and print purposes, then frame the art work in the pre-chosen frame!

SD: Do you have a favourite photograph or painting, which inspires you?

PH: I take inspiration from many sources - one artist/illustrator I will always come back to is May Gibbs and her Gumnut Babies books and illustrations. I often tried to create my own gumnut baby drawings and figures as a child, and these stories made me fall in love with native flowers. I love that Aussie Flora and Fauna are being massively appreciated in the arts right now, and is very on trend!

A lot of Tim Walker's earlier photographs are all time favourites of mine, just for the sense of nostalgia and magic they provoke.

And Netherlands artist Anne Ten Donkelaar creates some stunning floral collages that I often look at for composition inspiration.

SD: What is your greatest indulgence in life?

PH: I love me some vintage dresses! I love to treat myself with anything from the 50s to the 90's that's floral and cute.

Also, house plants and cacti/succulents, because then I have nature in the home. Seeing them grow and bloom is so satisfying.

SD: Where do you source some of the materials you use in your compositions?

PH: I source the flowers from various places, depending on what I'm in need of. Sometimes I will go for a walk in nature to find certain leaves or native flowers, other times I will go to the Brisbane Flower Market to purchase some bunches and do a mass pressing! Other times I just stumble across some road side wild flowers and pop them in a book on hand.

For my collage pieces I cut them out of vintage books - I love using illustrated flower books.

Other items I use such as gold ink, glue, scissors and tweezers I get from the art store or online.

SD: What has been your most favourite, or ambitious, project to date?

PH: The current project I am working on is definitely the most ambitious I have created! I am working on 10 pieces for a solo exhibition (was supposed to take place in May, but currently on hold due to Covid) which focuses on the importance of preserving Australian Native wildlife and the environment. I have photographed 10 different animal skulls which were mostly accessed by the QLD Museum, to which I have then highlighted the important role each animal plays in the Aussie eco system, and any current threats they may face. I have used 90% Aus native flowers (both real and collage cuttings) with accents of gold and bronze ink. I've worked so hard on this project, and have done a lot of research on each animal I am featuring, so I am very excited for when this finally gets released! Just need to get past these social restrictions so people can see the work in person.

SD: Who (or what) in the creative world is making you think "Wow! That’s amazing!”

PH: The tiny house moment is always wowing me! So many people thinking up creative and clever ways to design their homes in small spaces and reduce their impact on the world. Especially those that are able to reuse materials from older houses to make their new tiny home. So dreamy!

SD: The titles for the works, how significant are they to you?

PH: The titles for my works are often an extension of the concept of my work - in case people are not able to interpret the concept visually, the title usually helps with further explanation. But then there are other times it's just as simple as a description of the work.

SD: If you were to stop doing art tomorrow, what would your last artwork look like?

PH: That’s a tough question - I could never imagine not making art! Perhaps it would involve lots of recycled materials, lots of flowers and a message about caring for our planet and all living creatures ️<3

Suzanne Dang
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