Sandy Gaskett is the face behind Violet and Darby and lives on the coast of West Australia.
I've created art, like most people, since I was a child. Scribbles, doodles, splashes of paint. It's all been a process for me of having fun really.
The shop name is related to my grandmother, who was a painter as well. Combining her first name and last, it seemed to encompass everything I love about the style of art I produce. Old worldy, somewhat quirky and usually a little cute.
I've done many different courses, but nothing "official" - to me the journey of creating is learning from within, learning from experience and plastering it out on a piece of paper or canvas.
I'm heavily influenced by a childhood, where I would spend hours, reading Richie Rich, Casper and Archie Comics. Gorging on dagwood sandwiches, whilst spending a Saturday arvo watching Elvis movies, plus of course, a general love of anything "daggy" or kitsch.
The 70s, which were my teen years, have a lot to answer for. They set me off on a pathway of trying to recapture those fun, colourful, carefree days, I spent with friends in backyard pools, on trampolines, playing guitar and singing random songs that looking back now, made no sense at all!
I enjoy browsing through the internet, to check out the latest trends, but I seem to always end up at the same point of entry with my pieces... bright colours, lots of sexy girls, a couple of robots and some oddball hairy men thrown in for good measure!
My favourite mediums are acrylics, inks and pencil. I'm hoping as I continue on I'll learn more, push the boundaries of what I can and can't do.
It's just a big long road of trying things out, discarding, collecting and melding ideas into new version of yummy goodness, that hopefully people out there can connect with.
Contact :
Drop me a line via email or my contact page, or follow/like/stalk me at Twitter or Facebook!
Email: violetanddarby[at]gmail.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/violetanddarby
Facebook: www.facebook.com/violetanddarby
Website: www.violetanddarby.com.au