Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Madeline Young, I’m an artist and curator from Orange NSW.

Why do you do what you do?
I graduated from art school and moved back to Orange. There was a gap in the market for galleries so I entertained the idea of opening my own, and my dreams came true! I opened The Corner Store Gallery in 2014.

What’s your background?
I grew up in Orange, always making and creating, always playing outside. I travelled to the US after high school and taught art classes at Summer camps. I returned to Australia after two years travelling and completed a degree in fine Arts from the University of Newcastle in 2009. I majored in traditional photography and printmaking. These mediums have informed my current practice in Painting.

How do you work?
I need a relatively tidy work space. I like working big lately so I can move more freely across the canvas standing on an easel. I draw up my design in pencil then start filling in areas of colour blocks.

What’s your work-day like?
My gallery (The Corner Store Gallery) is open Wednesday to Saturday and my art studio is attached to the gallery. Usually Wednesday is my gallery admin day and I use the other three days in the gallery to make art. Having regular business hours helps to make me accountable and I get lots of work done.

How has your practice changed over time?
I majored in printmaking and photography so I used to take lots of black and white female nudes and sometimes turn them into abstracted screen prints. Since I don’t have the facilities for that anymore I started painting. I make my images the same way I would if they were to be a screen print with lots of simplified colour blocks. Instead of printing them I paint them.

How have you developed your career?
I completed the degree in fine arts and then got a job as the Artist in Residence at Kinross Wolaroi School in Orange. Since there were no galleries in which to exhibit I decided I would create my own space since there was a gap in the market. The gallery was very well received, we just celebrated 7 years in business, and being exposed to so many other artists at different stages of their career has influenced me hugely. I’ve learnt so much along the way about what works, how to be professional, and what not to do. I’ve learnt to just keep on trying and putting yourself out there, not every space is right for you but if you’re any good you’ll find your people.

“Somewhere South of Here III”
This series was inspired by the landscape at Mimosa Rocks National Park on the far South Coast of NSW. I visit every 6 months, the bush is so dense all the trees grow very straight up to the light. It’s kind of surreal. This work is painted in my favourite colour palette, pink (always), green and browns.

What’s the best thing about being an artist?
I’m my own boss, I can make whatever I want and I actually enjoy my job. My work brings joy to others.

What themes does your art pursue?
I’ve always been interested in Australian native botany. I’ve always depicted Banksias, eucalypts, gum blossoms and the landscape. I think it’s the unique sculptural qualities of our native vegetation that draws me to it.

Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Meeting other artists is always inspiring and I’m lucky that I get to do that a lot in my line of work.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Heaps of hospitality and waitressing, cleaning, camp councillor, admin assistant, teacher, photographer, stylist, set designer for plays….

Name something you love, and why.
Walking, it’s a must, it’s my meditation.

Favourite or most inspirational place?
Mount Canobolas near Orange, the bush is so beautiful out there and the view is amazing.

What’s your musical playlist while practicing art?
 I love a bit of Big Scary! I like my old school 90s too.

What is your preferred medium to work with?
Oil paint.

Which artists do you collect?
The list is long – mostly they exhibit at my gallery. Mostly emerging artists.

What is the Sydney Road Gallery Experience for you?
I love getting involved with group exhibitions. It’s such great exposure to be exhibiting with so many other fab artists from all over! And such a beautiful, bright space.