Every month we present an interview with one of our amazing artists to give you a bit of an insight into their behind the scenes life.  This month we’re featuring former pro surfer tuned painter, James McMillan, one of the featured artists in the upcoming El Mar Mi Alma exhibition.

Right now I am…
Listening to the clock tick and watching shadows move across the floor as the sun rises

The person who has most influenced my art is….
My Dad…He painted western scenes, and the next day he sculpted abstract vases. His paintings were photo perfect realism and his vases were total freedom

My favourite artist is …
More than one - My son Blake…He wakes up at 6am and starts drawing tigers on skateboards and horses surfing. I love my sisters’ early paintings of mountains and trees. My son Colby’s awesome self-portraits. My nephew Luke’s street graffiti

I’m inspired to start a new work when….
Usually when I can’t start it. I’ll be riding my bike to the beach and see a combination of amazing colours in nature…I’ll want to paint instantly. I never start paintings when I’m happy. Always when I’m moody.

I am at my most creative/productive when…
Creative – when something dramatic happens in my life. Productive – When there are no other people around and it’s midnight

I usually start my day by…
Waking an hour before I need to get up. I lie in bed and stare out the window thinking about my dreams. I like letting my mind go for a walk

I am currently reading….
The Bible, Juxtapoz and The Surfers Journal. That’s all I ever read

The book that changed my life is…
Scuffy the Tugboat

My favourite album of all time is…
There isn’t one, It changes every few years. ’84 was Led Zeppelin, How the west was won, ’94 was Beastie Boys, Check Your Head, 2004 was Ray Lamontagne, Trouble

My favourite film of all time is…
isn't made yet. It would be my own life. I’d watch it in highlight the day before I die

When I am working I like to listen to…
Birdies chirping

It makes me smile when…
I see my sons happy. When I finish a painting. When I give away money. When Lisa smiles

I get angry about…
Misplacing things. People trying to talk to me when I’m singing

My three most valued possessions are…
My tent, my diaries, my laptop (I think)

The three things in life I could never give up are …
Camping, vegemite on toast, daydreaming

If I was stranded on a desert island I would want…
Nothing. Being stranded is something I’ve enjoyed in life. I once slept in a chicken pen for 2 days when I was stranded on the island of Lombok

If I could travel anywhere back and forth in time, I would go …
To Heaven on Thursdays to visit my Dad. To Spain on Fridays to hang out with Salvador Dali

If I was elected Prime Minister of Australia the first thing I would do is…
Gather my favourite artists and paint the opera house

My dream dinner party of six would include….
Aside from my family, I’d have; Duke Kahanamoku, Michael Angelo, Jesus, Sir Edmund Hillary, Brett Whiteley, Dorothy McGee (my faux Grandma from Vaucluse in Sydney)

If it were my party, I would serve…
Homemade pizza and ginger beer, and I’d invite the local homeless people

The achievement I am most proud of is…
Not going crazy. Writing a best selling book

My most embarrassing moment was…
There have been many embarrassing moments, but I love them. Embarrassment is such a cool emotion. It’s very humbling and it passes so quickly

The craziest thing I have ever done was…
Walk and hitch hike across Australia with no money and no food. I got kidnapped

The most valuable lesson I have learned in life is…
Listen to God, not yourself. Us humans can’t be trusted

When I die, I would like my gravestone to say…
He was an awesome Dad

If a young person told me they wanted to be like me when they grow up, I would tell them…
That’s cool, but what about being like you…that would be easier

I wish I had listened when my parents (my Mum) told me…
Not to listen to Slayer. Note to youth of today: Add a bit of soul to your playlist

I hope my art.….
Is more than just pretty pictures staring back at you

My legacy to the world will be…
My art and books

If I wasn’t an artist I would like to be….
A drifting bohemian missionary in Africa

View more of James' work here

Check out the great new works that have arrived in the Gallery including a fresh take on the love them by Shane Martin... with the arrival of love tattoos. This work of art positively lights up the front of the gallery at the moment. Hand ground into aluminum panels, this truly is a great work of art, and Shane is very happy with the detail he has achieved in this piece.

Shane's work has literally been jumping off the walls as fast as he can make them, and a few clients wanting commissions now have to wait six weeks for new work.

Check out the great new works that have arrived in the Gallery including another stunning circus inspired collaboration from artists Michelle Dawson and Hilary Herrmann. This wonderful new work is called Circus Tricks II. Click here to see more details on the work.

Check out the great new works that have arrived in the Gallery including one of Ross Tamlin's illusive sculptural paintings. This was done as a commission for some fantastic clients in New Zealand. Congratulations on your new piece!

Gold Coast based artists Christie and Kelly Turner are identical twin sisters with a unique collaborative technique, involving working together simultaneously on every piece that they create. Not yet turned 20, they are by far the Gallery’s youngest talent, but we couldn’t resist bringing them on board when we saw their amazing work…

We have three fantastic prints, pictured above, that we will be releasing as part of our Retrospect Editions. They will also be part of our upcoming show Hairjacked opening on Friday the 17th September 2010. We look forward to seeing what they will produce in this coming year!

Check out their profile here.

This Friday night February 26, Retrospect Galleries heads out to Harvest Café.

We’re taking a preview of our upcoming surf art show, El Mar Mi Alma (The Sea My Soul) and have invited local surf artists, James McMillan and Alberto Sanchez to share a bit about their work. 

There will also be a presentation by local filmmakers, Stephen Jones and Tatiana Velasco, about their new surf film release, and J’aimee Skippon-Volke from Byron Bay Film Festival talks about her 2010 program of surf related flicks. Plus great food (buffet style BBQ) and music by acclaimed singer/songwriter Danny Ross. Starts 6.30pm, Harvest Cafe, 18 Old Pacific Highway, Newrybar.  Tickets, $35. Bookings, 02 6687 2644.

This is one of the new works by Alberto Sanchez who will discussing his new ways of combining with photography and fine art and his love and inspiration of all things surf.

Remember to check out this fantastic exhibition.

Luke Taaffe stands proud with his offspring..

Upcoming artists Kristy and Kelly Turner excited to meet Luke and Mia.

Design extraordinaire Paul McNeil (SeaCell) with Mia Taninaka.

Luke and CO. in front of the Kraken itself.

Some of Luke's pieces ..

Artists Dolores Cupcake and Amber Secombe

Mia Taninaka and friend in front of Mia's 'Oasis' .

Intern and Breton man Benjamin Dorez with local musician Matt Connolly enjoying local brew by sponsor Stone&Wood

Luke and Mia

Detail of Mia's beautiful work ..

Jiff Maguire and Mauricio Laratro

Luke and his proud Mum .. :)

Kate, Dane and Bree .. Kate after much consideration ended up getting Luke's Atomic Lands ..

Opening at Retrospect Galleries this week, The Inbetween is an exhibition of new finely detailed and colourful works on wood by two exceptional young Australian artist/designers with a passion for life, surf and the environment.

On Saturday morning they will also present a free talk and demonstration on how to turn an old wooden box or timber panel into a stunning original artwork.

Luke Taaffe’s beautiful flowing detailed work represents a life living by the ocean and its surrounding environment. Waves, boats, whales and octopus all make regular appearances on his colourful panels, usually taken from weathered old wooden boxes.

Taaffe says the eroded and often-found materials he paints on reflect the salt-decaying effects of oceanside living and how it impacts on man’s desire for development and progress.

In contrast, the vibrant colours and ink detail he uses show the fun and privilege one has to be raised on Australia’s coastline.

“There is always a lot of colour within my work and that is because the coast is like a wonderland to me, ever changing and always beautiful,” he said.

“I try to capture this beauty and the power and terror that the ocean can bring to our lives, which in turn is showing my respect for it. I feel there is a constant struggle of balance between man and the environment and I try and express this through these isolated and almost dark scenes.”

Originally from the tiny central coast town of Wamberal, he moved to the surf mecca of Torquay, Victoria, last year to take up a dream graphic design position with Australian label, Roxy.

Like Taaffe, Mia Taninaka juggles a successful design career with her personal art practice and surf habit. 

By day she supplies quirky illustrations and designs for clients such as Channel V, Volcom and Mambo, whilst at night she likes to draw and paint on found wooden objects and panels, creating stunning colourful imaginative works inspired by her Japanese heritage.

“From an early age, I was lucky enough to do a lot of overseas travelling with my family,” she says.

“Which opened up my eyes to a very enchanting world of different cultures, colours and customs.  

“Travelling through South-East Asia in particular, I became aware of how detached from the natural world we are here in the west.

“Eastern cultures seem to have a more holistic approach to life and the role we play in the universe. They believe in the soul and spirit and have a deep respect and dignity for all creatures of the animal and plant kingdoms.

 “My parents taught me to appreciate and connect with the universe and its energy. To a lot of people a leaf is simply a leaf, but I like to look a little deeper.

“When I’m painting, everything has to connect. All the elements have a purpose and important significance.”

 Taaffe says the title of their new show, The InBetween, refers to the diverse lives that he and Taninaka lead, incorporating art, fashion and graphics, and the challenge of trying to find the balance with everything else that comes with being a young creative.

The exhibition opens 6pm Friday February 12 at Retrospect Galleries, 52 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, everyone welcome.

Or come along at 11am on Saturday for a free talk and demonstration and find out how to turn that old box or panel of wood in the shed into something new and beautiful.

Luke Taaffe and Mia Taninaka are currently holding a show at Retrospect Galleries, and this great review of their work was published in the Far North Coaster Online Magazine. To read more of the article visit http://www.farnorthcoaster.com.au/news/8029/turning-old-wood-into-fine-art/

And to view the work in their show click here

Each month we present an interview with one of our amazing artists. This month it’s Torquay based artist and graphic designer Luke Taaffe, sharing some of the things that make him tick...

Right now I am…

Starting a new job in graphic design for Roxy and working towards my next solo.

The person who has most influenced my art is….

Probably Reg Mombassa. Although he doesn’t influence what I do these days, it was Mambo artists like Reg and Richard Allen that got me interested in art as a young upstart in the late 80’s

My favourite artist is …

Alex Kopps from San Francisco. A multi-talented artist who’s work is precise and always inspiring.

I’m inspired to start a new work when….

Something visual and interesting comes my way. It could be complex, or simple as seeing a girl watching the waves in the morning light.

I am at my most creative/productive when…

I have a great idea to work with and all the elements come together.

I usually start my day by…

Going for a wave. It clears my head and has helped me get through tough times.

I am currently reading….

Nothing. Don’t have much time to read at the moment. Working and painting is taking up my life right now. Does emails count?

The book that changed my life is…

Storm Boy

My favourite album of all time is…

Led Zeppelin Self Titled.

My favourite film of all time is…

JAWS. I love sharks and it scared the shit out of me as a kid. R.I.P Roy Sneider

When I am working I like to listen to…

Anything…Bowie, Zeppelin. I always work to music.
 
It makes me smile when…

I’m having a family dinner. Around the table, we have the best feeds ever.

I get angry about…

The destruction to the environment and the world. We have really fucked it up!

My three most valued possessions are…

Art and reference books, Surfboards and photos.

The three things in life I could never give up are …

Breathing, love and laughter.

If I was stranded on a desert island I would want…

to be never found. As long as there was a fresh supply of waves, girls, fruit and vegetables.

If I could travel anywhere back and forth in time, I would go …

To the north coast of NSW in the early seventies.
 
If I was elected Prime Minister of Australia the first thing I would do is…

Invest in more renewable fuels.

My dream dinner party of six would include….

Dali, Sharon Tate, Jim Morrison, De-Vinci, Sofia Loren and Will Ferrell
 
If it were my party, I would serve…

Australian seafood, wine & coke.
 
The achievement I am most proud of is…

Making a living being creative and doing what I love.

My most embarrassing moment was…

Too many to recall. I have done some crazy things intoxicated.
 
The craziest thing I have ever done was…

Finding myself one morning in a slum with no wallet, phone and memory.

The most valuable lesson I have learned in life is…

Make the most of what you have and be nice to people.
 
When I die, I would like my gravestone to say…

He died doing what he loved.

If a young person told me they wanted to be like me when they grow up, I would tell them…

to come to the pub and drink some beer!

I wish I had listened when my parents told me…

To pace myself. My life has no balance and I run at a 100 Miles and hour.
 
I hope my art.….

Makes people notice and remember.
 
My legacy to the world will be…

A huge body of work and some good memories.

If I wasn’t an artist I would like to be….

A marine biologist.

View more of Luke's work