Local Artist…Janine Hall from Waverley

By James Hutton on September 22, 2020 in People

A very healthy balance. Photo: Osnat Almog

Introducing Waverley artist Janine Hall, who painted this month’s wonderful cover art featuring the long lost Clovelly diving board…

How long have you lived here? I’ve lived in the Eastern Suburbs for as long as I’ve lived in Australia, 24 years – lucky me!

Why do you live here? I love the variety of beaches and how different they all are. Bronte’s great for a bodysurf, Coogee for my ocean swims, and Clovelly for a quick dip after work. The city access is handy and there’s a great mix of people.

What’s your favourite eatery? I love the coffee at Coogee Bite. For a special meal, I can’t go past Sugarcane in Coogee; their food is sublime.

Best thing about the Eastern Suburbs? I know it’s a privileged place to live, but I like the fact that it has a good mix of people from different backgrounds, as well as the beaches, friends, and great cafes and restaurants.

How would you describe your art? Diverse, but certainly captivated by the ocean. I have a rule – if it’s not something I would hang on my walls at home, I wouldn’t expect anyone else to. I believe art should bring visual pleasure, so I’m always striving to achieve some level of beauty. I’m constantly amazed at the response to my work; it’s so gratifying.

Where can people see your work? I post all my work on Instagram @janinehallart.

Who are your artistic inspirations? I draw inspiration from many artists. Martine Emdur has to be one of my faves, but Harley Oliver and Odelle Morshuis spring to mind too.

What are you working on at the moment? A painting of Coogee from a photo that I saw on Amanda Keller’s Instagram feed. It will be an artistic rendition; I never aim for photorealism.

Do you have any exhibitions coming up? I’ve just postponed an exhibition that was planned in November, so hopefully 2021 will be kinder to us all and I’ll have a big one then.

When did you discover you had a gift for your craft? It was November 2018 when I took some time off work due to anxiety and depression. I didn’t know how to fill my time, so thought I’d try a painting class. I felt better after that 2-hour class than I had in months! I knew that some magical chemistry had occurred in my brain, so I just kept painting. It was my medicine – it still is to some extent – but now it’s also a part of me and a true love.

Did you study art? I’m mostly self-taught, but still take direction and input from my weekly class at The Art Studio in Maroubra. Osnat is brilliant at guiding you in your own direction, and it’s good to work around others as well as having isolated time working at home.

Who is your favourite person? That’s easy – my husband, Brendan. He’s my best friend, my biggest fan, and he still makes my toes curl.

What do you do for work? I’ve always worked in financial services, hence my need to balance my brain chemistry with right brain activity. I’m also a fitness trainer and run a weekly bootcamp, and I take a few spin classes at local gyms each week.

What’s your favourite thing about work? I love to solve problems, and there are plenty in the financial services industry at the moment.

Do you have a favourite quote? “This too shall pass.” No matter how good or bad things are, they don’t last forever.

Any other words of wisdom for readers of The Beast? Be brave enough to suck at something new! Fear is paralysing and robs you of living.