What’s your name?
Hayley Zena Jamieson
Where are you located?
Sydney's Inner West
If you could describe what you do for a living in your own terms, what would you say?
I would say that I do whatever I can do retain the funds in order to continue painting. By day I'm in fashion retail, and any other second I'm painting and honing my practice.
Aside from your given title, would you say there are any other titles or hats you wear in this position?
I think that most contemporary artists are interdisciplinary in some sense or another. When I'm painting or formulating ideas for new pieces, I don't limit myself to just the realm of 'painting'. I also use influences and techniques from photography, print-making, sculpture, film and performance art. In saying that, I wouldn't go so far as to call myself by any of those titles, they are more inspirations.
Is this what you always wanted to be when you grew up?
Oddly enough, yes. but not exactly in a conscious way. It was never 'I want to be an artist', it was more along the lines of 'I never want to stop painting and creating'. It's just odd to me that it's eventuated into this real-life manifestation. It's really only been in the last two years that I've come to the conclusion that 'artist' could be my career title.
Can you put into words your career history to date?
To me, I've gone from an amateur artist coming out of high school, then completing my Bachelor of Visual Arts at Sydney College of the Arts as an artist with a more rounded idea of what I'm doing, then completing my Honours at the end of last year with a body of work I was incredibly proud of. Now I would classify myself as an upcoming artist. I feel like my personal journey blends a lot into my career history, they heavily intertwine.
If there was ever a time where you weren’t working for yourself, how did you make the leap from working for someone to working for yourself? Was it an easy transition?
In reality I work part-time for an Australian fashion company and part time for myself, so whenever the transition to being completely self-employed does arise, I feel I'll be well equipped. The most important thing to remember in those times of working for yourself is, discipline. I'm really good at creating structure and routine in my weeks as well as monetary budgeting, and I think that has a lot to do with one's success as a sole-trader.
Coming back to the present, (haha) what is your morning routine before you start the day?
I don't have an exact routine at the moment, which is bad. It's something I need to work on. I get out of bed around 8.30am after scrolling through social media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest), 30 min work out or walk, make breakfast and then sit myself down to research or paint, depending on my mood.
Describe what you do between stepping into your work space and then calling it a wrap at the end of the day (Basically, your average work day):
Again, it's all a bit messy at the moment. But I use cooking and exercise to break up painting or research sessions. Sometimes I find it difficult to switch off so I can work late into the night if I'm feeling particularly charged.
What is your favourite part of the day?
When the sun starts to go down. This is when most of my inspiration and motivation comes to me, which is odd considering I do most of my outdoor painting during sunlight hours. But my planning and productivity comes when the sun begins to set. Maybe it's the idea that the day is almost over therefore my mind goes into overdrive to get as much onto paper as possible. It's when my best ideas develop and I feel happiest to ruminate on them before bringing them into existence.
How do you define internal and external success in all that you do?
For me external success is positive feedback and constructive criticism. While I do believe my process is derived from my own person and is for me, it's really important to know that my work is relevant and important to others. Internally, it's about purging my mind and physicality.
What has been the biggest success so far and why?
My biggest success so far was the positive feedback I received from my first solo show at GKJE Gallery at the start of the year, 'Act I: The Gesture'. It reaffirmed where I am right now as an artist, and pushed me to work even harder.
With all that success there’s bound to be some overwhelming moments, how do you overcome the bumps along the way?
I just try to put everything that happens into context. Which is easier said than done sometimes. You just have to continue creating and continue the theory behind the works.
Ok, so you’re sitting at a cafe across the table from your biggest career inspiration, who is it and why?
I really just have too many. Any artist or painter, particularly women, that have successfully made a living from their craft and has stayed true to their intentions and practice. It's important to remember that every artist is acutely human and that they all follow their own paths to success.
Now, someone new to the career field is sitting across the table from you, what advice do you give them?
Develop your budgeting and time management skills. Communicate with others in your field. Never stop creating and questioning.
Would you go back and do any of it differently or just the same?
The same. I tend not to believe in 'what if'.
So if that little kid you used to be before looked at you now, do you think they’d be excited to grow up?
Yes, but all in good time. I was very conscious of my time as a child, I knew it would go quickly so I
savoured it.
What do you want to do next?
At the moment I'm just concentrating on my new body of work. I have a group exhibition at the end of the year with GKJE Gallery, but otherwise I'm mainly setting goals to do with the actual creation of new works.
What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?
“And then there is the most dangerous risk of all -- the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you can buy yourself the freedom to do it later.” ― Randy Komisar
It's a pretty good motivator.
