Graphic content
The duo behind Dinosaur Designs divulge the inspirations fuelling their arresting works on canvas and a highly personal collection of rugs.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR ENDURING CREATIVE INFLUENCES? Louise Olsen: Poetry – words that inspire, open us up and fertilise the imagination. Stephen Ormandy: Twentieth century art has had a major in uence on my work – it’s one of the most dynamic centuries with the birth of abstract art. No-one’s ever de ned who created it but it grew out of a few European artists, with Kandinsky, Malevich and, most recently, Hilma af Klint at the forefront. WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR STUDIO? LO: I’m lucky to have two studios, one in Redfern and another on a lake in the country. I love the silence there, where I can oat and dream with very few interruptions. The Redfern studio at Dinosaur Designs is a buzz of wonderful energy and I love that, too. SO: I love the energy of the city. My studio has large windows which flood the space with light. Tonality is fundamental to my work; colour relationships are created by not just hue but tone as well, and playing with this balance is at the heart of my painting. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WORKSPACES? LO: Mine is full of love inspiration. Coral stems, crystals, stones, leaves, gumnuts, twigs, brushes, oil paints and sketchbooks. Obviously, there’s always a lot of paint around, which allows experimentation with colour. There is so much discovery in the making. SO: I like to keep my space organised and clean. Achieving this is a constant challenge that I’m failing to do. I have many small maquettes that ll the at surfaces. HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR ART PRACTICE ALONGSIDE DINOSAUR DESIGNS? LO: There’s a great balance between the two. Dinosaur Designs is more energetic and requires a different perspective. There are areas where the two overlap,
This page, clockwise from top Artist and Dinosaur Designs co-founder Stephen Ormandy in the Redfern studio he shares with
fellow artist, co-founder and wife Louise Olsen. Louise’s works
alongside mood boards and reference material. Louise in her studio. Stephen's graphic compositions have been
transposed to rugs such as ‘Flamingo’ for Designer Rugs.