Erica Larke-Ewing – also known as ‘Kichikoo’ – is one of the many emerging artists in Tasmania.

Last month, she held her first solo exhibition, Awake, at the Stable Gallery in Moonah.

I recently sat down with her to talk about the exhibition, her artistic career, and what makes her tick.

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Hello, Erica. How are you?

I’m well, thanks, Callum!

To start with, I’m going to ask some questions about you as a person. How would you describe yourself?

Oh gosh, that’s a tough one. I would say that I’m outgoing, curious, and strong-willed – but overly sensitive at times. I love a good laugh and always want to surround myself with people who make me giggle.

What are your strengths?

I have clarity. I can often see very quickly what is going right and when things are going wrong.

My creativity is a huge benefit in my professional life because I work in an industry that demands innovation and adaptation.

What are your weaknesses?

The interesting thing about weaknesses is that they go hand-in-hand with your strengths.

For example, I can be abrupt because I know where things must go. That can annoy people.

Also, being creative means it’s difficult for me to sit down and do the tedious, day-to-day work that I need to do. Because of this, I can appear unorganised or confused about certain things, like my tax return.

What are the things that make you happy?

To use a cliché, it’s the simple things that make me happy.

At the moment, it’s the days when the sun makes an appearance and the weather is unusually warm. Everything seems right with the world on days like that.

Otherwise, it’s a warm bed on a cold night, good coffee, laughing, cuddling my people, good food, and Netflix. And painting, of course!

What are the things that piss you off?

Impatient drivers, littering, and poor customer service.

I also dislike cafés that can’t spell ‘cappuccino’ correctly on their menu. How can you make a decent one if you can’t spell it?

What are your values and beliefs?

I am an atheist, perhaps an agnostic. The church has not been a feature of my life, and I feel a sense of freedom to love and respect people in my own way. I do not judge anyone for their beliefs, as I’m not in their shoes.

What is our attitude and outlook on life?

I hope for the best possible future for my children. That is my number one priority and passion.

I want to dedicate more time to painting in the future because I enjoy it so much.

I plan to enjoy a long and happy retirement at some point, during which I get to see more of the world. I hope we all become better at looking after this beautiful planet for the sake of my children and everyone else’s.

My fears go hand-in-hand with my hopes. I fear what the future will be like for my children growing up. I do not have any irrational fears like spiders, earwigs, or anything like that. I’m definitely your go-to person if you want a huntsman removed from your home. I don’t have a problem with them.

I want to be able to concentrate more on my art in the future. I am striving for a better work / life balance that is sustainable.

What interests and hobbies do you have?

I collect sea glass. I’m obsessed with it.

I would love to work with a local sculptor or artist like Patrick Hall to turn that glass into a cabinet of curiosities!

What are your tastes in books, music, and food?

I’m reading Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro at the moment and can’t wait to read whatever Kyle Perry writes next.

My taste in music is all over the place. I like anything with a good melody. Songs also have to be uplifting or cheeky for me to enjoy them. The first three songs on my Spotify list are 2 Be Loved by Lizzo, 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton, and Always on My Mind by the Pet Shop Boys.

My favourite food varies. I enjoy trying different dishes from around the world. I have discovered the world of Bao Buns and love great Asian food.

Tell me a bit about your background.

I studied at UTas and completed a Bachelor of Economics. I’m a Content Producer for a fantastic business called Parachute Digital – I get to be creative all day by writing for a range of amazing charities.

I have a younger sister and live with my husband, three children, and two pugs.

Now let’s get onto some questions about your art. Tell me about the name ‘Kichikoo’. How did it come about? How did you decide to use it?

I came up with the name ‘Kichikoo’ in 2013 as a combination of the word ‘kitsch’ and ‘Kitchy kitchy koo’, a term of endearment to babies.

I’ve always loved kitsch things, bright colours, and garish designs. Odd Nerdrum, a brilliant yet slightly eccentric Norwegian artist, always talks about kitsch in relation to art, and it struck a note with me. Plus, his painting style is incredible.

I wanted to paint under a ‘nom de plume’ because I have so many roles and names in life. I wished to separate my creative self from my professional life, my personal life, and my role as a mother and citizen. The division gives me more imaginative freedom to be kitsch and to create whatever I want.

How did you get into art?

I wandered into Robin Mary Calvert’s studio back in the early noughties. I loved her art and discovered that she held lessons on weeknights. I signed up, and the rest is history.

I now paint with artist Sarah Weaver at Jackson Studio. Sarah has been pivotal in my development as a painter over the past couple of years.

What does art mean to you?

Art is freedom, respite, escape, love, anxiety, frustration, happiness, excitement, and calm.

How would define the term ‘artist’?

I can’t define the term ‘artist’. It’s just a term, a word. I don’t like calling myself an artist.

I paint because I love it. I paint because I am compelled to, and it feels natural to me. I love the smell of the oils, and I like the level of concentration it takes.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

Emerging.

What sort of things do you paint?

At the moment, landscapes. I really enjoy painting them, but there’s no doubt I will move on from them at some point. In the past, I used to paint people, still life – that sort of thing.

Why do you draw what you paint?

Composition is important. I look for tonality and negative space. If a landscape has all those components, I will try to recreate it in my own ‘Kichikoo’ way.

How do you become inspired to paint?

Tasmania is my inspiration. How could it not be? We have such a unique and beautiful landscape here. The clouds, mountains, trees – so many opportunities to celebrate nature!

What’s your process?

I am quite meticulous and have often been told I have a lot of patience.

I carefully draw the image on the canvas with a pencil, making sure I know what is going to appear on every inch of the painting. Then, I ‘block in’ with paint to create a road map for the following layers of colour.

Each painting takes quite some time as I will work on a layer, wait a week for it to dry, and then repeat with a new layer. It’s a frustrating process because, at the start and middle, the painting looks messy – but slowly, after time, it starts to take shape and definition.

What sort of mood do you have to be in to paint?

I can’t paint after a busy, hectic day because I also need to be energised to do it. I have to be calm and reflective.

How long does it normally take you to paint something?

A painting can take anywhere from a couple of days to four months to complete, depending on size, composition, and level of difficulty.

I just finished a painting that was only 60 x 50cm, but it took me about six months because I needed to really think about how I would approach every part of it.

How many hours per week do you normally put into your art?

Generally, five hours a week. Balancing work, housework, and painting with being a parent is tricky.

Do you sell your art outside of exhibitions?

I usually sell my paintings before they’re finished, when people see me working on them, but I’ve also done a few commission pieces.

How does it feel when people buy your art?

It feels great because when you sell a painting, you know you are selling it to someone who has fallen in love. That’s a little bit special.

How do you juggle your art with your job?

I’m pretty good at compartmentalising my time. Generally, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, after family activities, are dedicated to painting.

How important is it to have people around you who encourage your art?

To be honest, I paint for myself – no-one else. While it’s lovely that my family and friends encourage me, I think I would be compelled to paint anyway.

How does it feel to have people respond positively to your artwork?

It feels great, of course, but I also like hearing people’s feedback on how I can grow. It can’t be all unicorns and rainbows!

Tell me about a specific positive review of one of your artworks. How did it feel?

A lady wrote to me after seeing Awake, and she thanked me for “bringing art to the people.” I was really chuffed about that.

How does it feel to have people respond negatively to your artwork?

You have to have strong shoulders, but I learn from people’s feedback. I’ve also learnt to ignore silly feedback.

What is your long-term plan for your artistic career?

I’m looking forward to holding another exhibition in 2023!

What made you decide to hold your first exhibition?

There were too many paintings sitting around in my tiny studio space. They needed new homes!

Describe how the Stable Gallery was or wasn’t a good venue.

It was a great venue – really affordable for emerging artists. The staff are just so incredibly welcoming.

How much work went into organising it?

Given that my background is in events management, it was no problem at all.

How long did it take to set it up?

My dear husband and I hung everything up in one and a half hours. No sweat!

How many showed up on the opening night?

Hmmmm. I would say 50 people or so? It was hard to tell.

How did you feel on the opening night?

Happy, excited, and so thrilled that it was nearly a sell-out success. Twenty-one out of the 24 paintings sold!

I feel more ‘established’ and more widely recognised now that I have passed the milestone of holding my first solo exhibition.

What was the overall reaction to your work?

People loved my work. There are many paintings I could have sold four or five times over.

Will you exhibit again in the future?

Yes, definitely!

You can contact Erica regarding commissions at [email protected].

People admiring Kichikoo’s artwork at Awake.