Selina Fenech

Selina Fenech grew up in Hunter Valley, Australia on a small acreage. Her parents created incredible gardens with ponds that inspired her art. Fenech's creations can be described as sensual, fantasy and magical. Her pieces are adored by art lovers of all ages. After she lived in Sydney for a few years, she moved to the Central Coast of Australia where she created her own garden. Fenech's main inspiration is the genre of fantasy art which has always been her favorite genre. She has worked with a few mediums during her art career including watercolor, acrylic, digital and oils. She also tends to combine different mediums in a single piece she creates.

What is your biggest inspiration for art?

The fantasy genre as a whole is my inspiration. It's always been my favorite and I immerse myself in all things fantasy regularly- from artworks to books to movies. But the place where new ideas for artworks comes from can often be very random. An entire concept for a painting can jump into my head inspired by some small thing like a strange shaped stain on the floor or a tree curved just so.

Does the place where you live have an effect on your art?

Not really. I've done some of my favorite painting while living in cramped suburban Sydney share houses. It's the spaces in my head that are more important than the physical spaces around me.

What mediums do you use for your art?

I have used a bit of everything over the years. I initially preferred watercolors, and then acrylics, then I moved more to digital and now I'm exploring oils. I also often combine many mediums in a single work. The medium I like best is whichever medium is right for getting that particular job done.

Is there a style of art you are interested in trying?

I've been experimenting more with oil paints lately and love the way they move and blend. I'm interested in learning more about them and practicing different ways of using them.

"I like to create artworks which hint at a story behind them. Just enough to draw the viewer in and make their mind open up with possibilities."

How do you know when a piece you're working on is done?

The only way to know is when I say it's done. If you don't simply choose a point and stop, you could work on something forever.

What is your favorite or most important piece you've created so far?

My "Motherhood" mermaid artwork is one of my personal favorites and also my most important. It is widely known and has become synonymous with my brand as an artist. Also, interestingly, while I created the artwork long before I had any children, the baby in the artwork looked just like my daughter when she was born.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

Sharing my work with others. I often receive the most wonderful messages from people about how my work has inspired them or helped them through hard times. But also, sometimes the simple pleasure of stroking a brush across paper is enjoyment enough.

What job did you have before becoming an artist?

I have a degree in Graphic Design and I worked for one year in a small copy shop doing basic business design work before quitting to pursue my art. After that, I've been supporting myself with my artwork since I was 23 years old.

When did your career in the arts start?

It was around 2004 that I could support myself fully with income from my art, but I began showing and selling my work a few years before that.

Where do you see yourself as an artist in the next 10 years?

I've begun writing novels as well as continuing my visual art, and I also combine the two in illustrated books. I hope to continue exploring the combination of art and words and have many more finished illustrated stories in 10 years.

What is your biggest advice for aspiring and uprising artists?

Practice. Just practice your art as much as you can, and your skills will improve before your eyes.

What art pieces (if any) do you have on your own walls?

I have a few of my own originals, including the original of "Motherhood". Other artworks on my walls include fellow Australian artists Margaret Dean and Lee Pike.

What our customers are saying:

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