Fern Seibler
In a recent interview, artist Fern Siebler shared her journey to becoming an artist and the inspiration behind her unique style. It all started as a hobby, but turned into something more as Fern went through a difficult time and wanted to get back to doing something she loved – being creative.
Fern’s art is characterised by its free-flowing and
uncontrolled style, which is inspired by the movement
and flow found in nature. She explained, “there is a lot
of negative space at times, not always, but there always seems to be that element of movement, which, again, is
inspired by the different things that are found in nature.
It’s an emotive process for me, and sort of like a meditative process as well. I like to let my mind drift away and sort
of try and embody that into the artworks to create something that is calming and Zen to look at.”
Nature is a major source of inspiration for Fern, particularly the ocean, mountains, and bushland. She shared, “things that inspire me to be creative are, definitely nature is probably my number one so I love the ocean. I love mountains, bushland, I grew up in regional Victoria right below the base of the Cathedral Ranges, which is just the most beautiful setting. Little things that you see outside like sunlight flickering in the trees, the ripples of waves in the ocean, the patterns in the sand, it’s the tiny little details of nature which I really love and really fill me with a lot of inspiration.”
Fern’s unique style and the inspiration behind it are a reminder that art can be a therapeutic and meditative process, and that creativity can be learned and nurtured. It’s clear that Fern’s love of nature plays a significant role in her art, and it’s evident in the calming and Zen-like qualities of her pieces.
What was your path to becoming an artist?
I suppose it started as a hobby. And then it turned into
something else. Earlier on I was going through a bit of
a difficult time, and I wanted to get back to doing something that I loved, which for me was always being creative. I say that’s like my therapy painting.
When you turn a hobby into a business, you still need to focus on the things that sort of brought you to it initially, otherwise it can become a bit too stressful when you’re focused on the business side. You need to focus on the reason why you love it as well.
You’re artistic style is free flowing and uncontrolled. What is your inspiration? And how has it evolved over time?
My style of art has definitely evolved since I started quite a few years ago. But it’s sort of kept the same theme of
movement and flow. There is a lot of negative space at times, not always, but there always seems to be that element of movement inspired by the different things that are found in nature. It’s an emotive process for me, and sort of like a meditative process as well. I like to let my mind drift away and sort of try and embody that into the artworks to create something that is calming and Zen to look at.
How did you learn your technique?
Purely by experimentation. I’m spending a lot of time in
the studio, playing around with different things and different mediums and surfaces, and seeing what sort of happens using different materials, how they combine and everything like that. So yeah, very much a self-taught artist. My use of movement and balance probably stems from my training as a graphic designer.
Can you tell us more about the process of your art making.
There’s a lot of different things that I use, I like to use a bit of everything under the sun. I started predominantly working with alcohol inks, which by nature, the alcohol base allows them to dry quickly. As you work it allows you to go over each layer and create really interesting ripple effects and patterns as it dries over the top of one another. I also work in some mixed media styles as well. And probably my favourite thing to use is anything that’s gold. I love using gold leaf and gold inks.
It seems the essence of your artwork is inspired by mother nature, earth, air, fire, and water. What are your favourite elements you draw from and why?
Most of my artworks are inspired very much by beautiful mother nature. The Earth, the Wind, the Fire, the Smoke,
the Water, and the Sunlight. I don’t have a particular favourite element as such. I think I draw my inspiration from all of them put together. I would have to say that I do love water. I’m drawn to the ocean and I would love to live somewhere where there’s mountains and sea, I would be very much at home!
How do you come up with the names for your artworks?
They’re quite often just come to me when I’m painting as cheesy and as cliche as that sounds. I tend to get a certain vibe from the piece and how it’s going or it might be something that I’m feeling within that I am sort of channelling into the painting at the time. There’s no secret spot or anything to find names, it’s more just sort of how they turn out and and how they make me feel.
You recently had your first solo exhibition called “The place I call home”. Can you explain the name?
I was lucky enough to be invited by the lovely arts coordinator in Marysville which is right near where I grew up. The name comes from the feeling that Taggerty, the small town where I grew up, gives to me. It always will be home for me. So that was the inspiration for the name. The collection tried to embody all the different inspirations, feelings and memories that I have of that particular area growing up.
What are your words of wisdom for young artists?
What I would say to aspiring young artists is simply to follow what you are drawn to. Forget about all the trends and what people are telling you, you should just go with your own flow.
