Hey there!
I’m Ang the resident Australian Artist, Surface Designer AND Overthinker at Antayjo Art. (That’s me in the purple circle on my website homepage!)
I create uniquely detailed art to quirk up your life and mine in both digital & traditional format that is -Fashiony, Patterny, Flowery and Portraity. (That last one is a word. Ha ha) More and more I am trying to share a deeper meaning, my personality and what makes me tick. You will see things I love, things I have hyper focused on along the way trying to find myself over the years. (Symbolic references in my work and my struggles.) I have done a bit of reading over my time and have gravitated toward beautiful things, elements of importance in other cultures that I can relate to and the meanings behind objects, traditions and spirituality. Some things have resonated and as a result have stayed with me and are in varying ways incorporated into my work.
I focus on subjects that I can literally draw the most detail out of, so think maximalist not minimalist when it comes to anything Antayjo Art!
My artwork has been called too quirky & colourful for some but each line, pattern, dot or circle is a representation of my stress being released onto a canvas, page or screen & i ain’t changing! It helps with my anxiety because when I am “arting” my thoughts are silenced. I work pretty instinctively and don’t need to plan every step or colour palette or worry about how it is going to go. It just is.
My home base is Ballarat in Australia where I create these detailed repeating patterns that are not run of the mill, illustrations that make big statements and unique, colourful OOAK art.
I sell a range of my own OOAK artworks as well as fabric with my artwork on it through other Aussie Companies, Internationally as well as work with others to bring their ideas to life for their own businesses or personally.
I am actually on a mission to make up for lost time (20 years of not creating, as I only found my way back in late 2017 to art then digital design in 2021) by creating, learning and achieving those dream collaborations! The book- Pattern Pulse Volume 1 by Rachael King inspired me to finally get moving on learning Surface Design and let’s say it was successful as I was asked to be featured in Volume 2!
I was actually obsessed with art from an early age, drawing on anything I could get my hands on, my own jeans included! I thought I would follow an art path but after completing a Bachelor of Arts degree I ending up choosing a less frowned upon career. (I know right! Regrets!!)
It was not until I had my second child that I realised I needed a creative outlet and my love/obsession with art came flooding back. The ‘Antayjo’ in Antayjo Art is actually a mash up of mine and my children’s names as they inspired me!
I hope you enjoyed hearing a bit about what makes me tick and that you have a good look around my website to see what I get up to artistically! You will find digitally derived illustrations & patterns, hand drawn traditional works & paintings as well as mixed media fabric & thread collage like embroideries. Although different mediums I feel they all still tie in together because of their focus on colour & emphasis on details. I often share works in progress & behind the scenes on social media too so I would love for you to follow my journey on Instagram HERE @antayjoart
P.S. I love the work of the great Aus powerhouse creatives Linda Jackson & Jenny Kee. I often draw, paint or stitch Linda & Jenny and am always on the lookout in op shops for their iconic artwork. They remind me of my Nana who has passed away, who I know is looking down on me watching what I get up to creatively as she had great fashion sense and was a colour lover! I also adore Iris Apfel for her business pursuits, Fashion and her general outlook.
Please do not hesitate to CONTACT ME for any of your Art or Surface Design needs as I work with solo run small businesses or larger ventures to achieve their artistic ideas as well as personal customers on unique pieces to add to their collections.
Note- You may see my surname referenced as Watson in places and Kernick in others. They are both me but I am now referencing only as the latter.
Thank you!
Ang