The following appeared on “THE PERTH COLLECTIVE. A PLATFORM FOR WA FEMALE OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES” on 12 August 2015.

MEET ROSLYN NOLEN PERTH ARTIST. FIND OUT WHY WITH FOUR CHILDREN SHE FINDS THE BEST TIME TO PAINT IS MIDNIGHT TO THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING.

How and why did you start your business? The idea of being a professional artist was clear to me from an early age. I never deviated from wanting a career/business in the artistic realm. After completing a Fine Art Degree and a Dip. Ed. in education, I taught for ten years whilst pursuing my personal art career. I continue to exhibit in both Solo and Group Exhibitions.

Are you a full time artist? Where is your studio? I am a full time artist, just one that keeps odd hours. Having four young children, doing two major solo exhibitions within sixteen months apart, I have learnt to balance my time. I usually go to bed between 7.30pm – 8.00pm with the children and get up at midnight and paint for a few hours, sometimes right through to morning, get the children off to school and create/work till around 3.00pm in time for school pick up. This time till bed time is spent with the children and going to their various activities. I do work from home and have a studio dedicated to creating art. Sometimes the children join me in pursuit of their own projects. In fact my five year old was the impetus behind the children’s range for my clothing label tOZZLEY – Sunnaya designed the motif.

What do you find is the biggest challenge when owning your own business? The first thing that comes to mind is the sole responsibility of coordinating everything. Particularly in the lead up to an Exhibition, the time and hours “behind the scenes” can be challenging at times.

Your Best Moment So Far In Your Business? There have been many moments. Overall it would have to be the satisfaction of setting goals and achieving them. I always love the moment when you see your work hanging in a gallery before opening night.

Most memorable challenge you had with a client or stockist? I spent three years in the Tanami Desert (1997-1999) in one of the most isolated Aboriginal communities in the Southern Hemisphere. Sourcing materials was always challenging during that time, online shopping was not yet big.

Your Favourite Quote or Mantra “You have no control over people, places or things”. I find this quote has so much freedom in it.

What is your advice to Perth Woman wanting to start their own business or turning their hobby into a small business? To trust your own process. To have a vision and work towards it without losing focus. Acknowledge the hard times, learn from them positively and keep your energy in creating great things for yourself.

What is your vision for your business? The vision I have for my business is to create more opportunities to exhibit worldwide, continue to collaborate with other creatives and expand my clothing label tOZZLEY

THE QUICK FIVE

FAVOURITE PERTH COFFEE I ACTUALLY DON’T DRINK COFFEE, BUT I DO LOVE TO FREQUENT HOBART DELI IN NORTH PERTH.
FAVOURITE PERTH FASHION LABEL– MORRISON, I LOVE THEIR DESIGNS, FABRICS AND ELEGANT SIMPLICITY.
FAVOURITE PERTH HOMEWARES– FREMANTLE ART CENTRE
FAVOURITE PERTH BAR– I ENJOY CLANCY’S, FREMANTLE BECAUSE WE CAN TAKE THE CHILDREN AND THEY ENJOY THE SPACE OUTSIDE TO RUN AND PLAY.
FAVOURITE PERTH RESTAURANT-VOYAGE KITCHEN ON WEST COAST DRIVE, SORRENTO, IT IS A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE AND THE FOOD IS SENSATIONAL.

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Being the youngest of ten children (nine girls and one boy) growing up in country Victoria (Manangatang), allowed constant visual stimulus. My father was a wheat and sheep farmer, along with a horse trainer/breeder. My mother was extraordinary. Childhood play was filled with make believe and creativity. I have always been fascinated with people, their stories and culture. This culminated in making the move to Wirrimanu (as mentioned above) where I spent three years teaching, painting and immersed in culture. Hence furthering my love of portraiture. My other great passion is painting equine. As a child I spent endless hours painting portraits, not typically horses like many other young children. I had a horse and the magical quality surrounding them was tangible and not my priority at the time. It wasn’t until my nephew, jockey Luke Nolen whom was given the ride of his lifetime on Black Caviar, that I was reconnected with my childhood memories surrounding horses. I painted Luke on Black Caviar and today I continue to pursue painting the strength, power and emotion eminent in these majestic creatures.