Kylie's ARTIST SPOTLIGHT - The Block Shop

I'm thrilled to become an official "Block Shop" Artist and to have an ARTIST SPOTLIGHT in their Insider Style Blog on the website today.

 

The article is a gem and I'm proud to be a part of "The Block" and "The Block Shop".

 

Thank You to The Block Shop, The Block and Artist Lane for supporting me and my art style.

 

 

READ THE FULL ARTICLE BELOW  ⬇️     OR READ IT HERE

 

 

 

Artist Spotlight | Kylie Daniel

 

Tell us a bit about yourself..
I just turned 53 this year and I’m without a doubt the happiest I’ve been in years.  I’ve been a creative person my whole life, in many different disciplines. From radio announcing, to mc’ing large festivals, feature writing for a Music/Art Magazine on the Gold Coast, and co-owning a guitar teaching clinic in NSW, I was always painting.  

How long have you been producing your art?  
I have been creating art for most of my life and working to develop this style (you now see) for many years.   


Where do you draw inspiration from?  
I draw inspiration from the country around us, but more specifically, the outback regions of Australia. I’m drawn to vast open spaces of unforested land as it takes me back to a simpler time and I get a chance to decompress and live without modern technology for a short time.  

How would you describe your art?  
I describe my works as not your typical pretty landscape, but more, the geological formations of the land itself. To take in the scenery of the actual substrate of the land, after fire, drought, flood, etc. To showcase the changes in the earth’s surface along the way. I also use lots of different finishes to highlight the textures and sheens of the landscape. I like to promote my art as more than just a visual journey of the Australian Outback. In a more unorthodox way, I like to encourage my viewers to physically touch the artworks, so they can experience the sensation of feel as well as visual journey to the Australian Outback. 

Your art features on The Block this year...Congratulations!

To have artworks on The Block again this year, following the piece that Steph & Gian used last year, is the most incredible feeling. As an artist, we feel precious towards all our artworks and to have 1, let alone 3, be selected and appear on the show, feels like a validation, that all the hard work you’ve been doing and all time spent perfecting your craft was worth it.  

I was so excited to see Kristian & Mimi had all 3 of my artworks this year. They were doing so well winning lots of the initial room reveals. Their décor taste seemed to match my artworks perfectly (just like Steph & Gian’s) and I was thrilled to see the pieces placed in such defining areas, such as the very front entry to the home and then another one at the end of the hallway between rooms.  

Having had a piece on the show last year and appearing in one of the rooms that got 10s in the judging and won Room of The Week, I guess paved the way for this year with contestants already aware of my piece and so my art was well received this year by contestants.  Teresa from Artist Lane was exceptional in arranging to have my pieces sent down and arriving in time for the contestants to view them.  

On reveal night, which also happened to be my birthday, to see a glimpse of “Lake in The Country” right behind Neal Whittaker as he spoke to Scotty & Shelley about the room reveal.  I was ecstatic to hear Neale compliment my art pieces as perfect selections for the space.  

What does it mean for you to have your art featured on The Block and be a Block Shop artist?  
As an artist, to get such a wonderful opportunity to appear on a TV show so loved by the Australian public is a thrill beyond words.  I’m so grateful for The Block, The Block Shop, Artist Lane and the contestants, for without their belief in my art, I wouldn’t have had this incredible opportunity, and to have appeared twice now, I don’t have the words for the gratitude I feel.  

To be able to say that I’m a Block Shop Artist means more than can be described. I think it brings an amount of validation to any (my) work. I deliberately set out to create a style of art not seen before, and with lots of trials and errors along the way, to be able to be recognised as a Block Shop Artist, means that I was on the right path with this art style and that the colour palette I’ve chosen resonates with the public.  

Favourite Block couple?   
Kristian & Mimi of course hah, although I like the authenticity of the boys, Haydn & Ricky.

Are there any particular artists that inspire you?  
Wow, I’m inspired by many artists. In Australia, there are so many incredibly talented artists and overseas as well. If I had to name one artist, that would be Jackson Pollock. He was an innovator of art, creating his own style that captivated the World over. I’m a huge fan of artists who break the mould of traditional art and push themselves to create something nobody’s ever seen before. To pioneer a style that is unmistakeably yours. That would be the ultimate in validation as an artist.

Where do you like to create your art?  
I have an inside studio, but I prefer to create outdoors. It’s where I feel the most inspired and to be surrounded by a big open space with lots of native birds and wildlife looking on.

Do you have a playlist / podcast you like to create to?   
Although I’m a city gal, I love listening to country rock music. A lot of songs are about the land, the farms, the country lifestyle and I feel like that aligns with the images I’m trying to create in my artworks.   

What does a typical day look like for you?  
A typical day would be probably sleeping in from a late night in the studio and then jump on my laptop, I would usually prepare social media reels, posts and stories for the day and schedule them for updating. I check over my website for any interactions, orders, etc, probably create a blog. I look at other artists social media pages as well to see what new work they’re creating. 

After that, I head into my studio to continue an unfinished piece or start another one. I tend to have several one the go in my studio as the initial process of laying down texture can often take a few days to dry, and with all my pieces, they have heavy texture which requires several applications.   

I can be in my studio all day and into the late night. I get so caught up the process, that time will pass by before I even realise. It really is my dream job, creating art full time.  

Favourite holiday destination?  
The Outback of course haha. A lot of paintings are memories of my time in the Outback. Places I could go to time and time again would be Cobar, Broken Hill, Dubbo where the land takes centre stage.

What would you buy yourself from The Block Shop?   
I have an obsession for Manchester. So, give me those gorgeous sheet sets and quilt covers. That’s what I love about The Block, I get a load of great ideas for updating my décor and then  I head straight to The Block Shop to buy it.  

Favourite house decorating trend?    
My art colour palette seriously reflects my taste in décor and styling so I’m going have to say “Japandi”. Not only does that décor trend feel earthy and warm, but it’s also so easy to pair furnishings with it. It’s a decorating trend I think is here to stay.  

Favourite artwork you own?  
Favourite artwork I own would have to be a Grace Brown original. Grace is a supremely talented indigenous artist whose work is amazing. Grace is very well respected, and I feel blessed to own one of her original artworks.