Lily Macrae

How did you get into making art?

I suppose I’ve always been more of a visual person. My family are all very creative in their own ways; my Mum has been making wonderful things since we were young and Dad writes, so and they have always been my biggest champions in pursuing it as a career.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve actually just started a new a series of works, thanks to the Elizabeth Greenshields foundation grant. It’s a mixture of some pretty big works but there are going to be smaller, more intimate paintings which draw you in too.

Alongside this I’m working on a few different things for group shows later in the year.

What inspired you to get started on this body of work?

I’ve been wanting to make a series for a while which draws reference from imagery of hunt scenes, Vanitas paintings and the sumptuous richness of Flemish market and pantry scenes. I’m just so drawn to the drama and light you find in those sources.

I want to make works which imbue both tension and tenderness, power and vulnerability. They will have figurative elements but also I just want them to be full of movement and revel in the alchemy and fleshy potential which oil paint holds.

Do you work on distinct projects or do you take a broader approach to your practice?

I would say a broader approach. I work on a few different paintings at once and certain things catch my attention and I follow them, so bodies of work just emerge from that quite naturally.

The last two shows I’ve made I’ve started with a focus and plan but a big part of what intrigues me is how the image and idea transform throughout the process and usually it doesn’t end up being what I first imagined.

I hope there is a vein that runs through my practice which ties those sometimes disperate ideas together

What’s a typical day like in your studio?

I cycle in most mornings then warm up in front of my heater with a coffee whilst i do emails and admin things. Then I paint! I listen to podcasts and audio books normally but its more just a voice keeping me company. Usually I know within a few hours if something is working or not. I do a lot of rubbing out the paint as well as putting it on.

Who are your favorite artists?

There are so many. I saw a Jenny Saville show in Edinburgh before studying which at the time was pretty formative for me.

Rubens and Caravaggio of course!!! I’m completely in love with Flora Yukhnovich’s paintings, and there’s another painter I found recently called Yongchul Kim who’s work is incredible.

I had the chance to see Sasha Gordon’s work in LA a few years ago and was awe struck.

I could go on…

Where do you go to discover new artists?

I suppose looking at shows both past and present, Instagram is big for that for me its what I use it for mainly, or artists that friends come across and send me.