Ellis Tummer found her own artistic style by capturing some of New Zealanders' favorite lollipops and desserts on canvas.
In her sunny studio, the result is simply sugar-coated, realistic and realistic fantasy. Her most recent work, Double Scoops of Chocolate, took four photos before taking the last one–one by one Alice admitted to the process of consuming an "amazing" amount of melted chocolate ice cream.
"I love the depth and the warmth of the summer aura that the natural sun provides. The texture of ice cream is hard to change so I'm proud of how it became a reality," she said. In addition to painting, Alice also served as a filmmaker for local music videos and short films, which she says helped her take photos with greater intent. While sweets and desserts have been the focus of her current focus, young creatives say she is eager to delve deeper into traditions, subject matter and explore the wider culinary field and discipline.
When did you start painting?
I was creative from an early age and my father was acclaimed Otago landscape painter who continued to improve my craft under his guidance and keen interest. I started selling my work at high school art exhibitions when I was 12 years old. My Andy Warhol-style takeaway coffee cup painting sold well on the night of its premiere, and I've made a lot of gains since, which have never diminished.
Your work is pleasing to the eye, why is the theme of candy and dessert?
Food as a consolation has always captivated me to the soul, and deeper exploration is natural through my art. It's exciting to bring decadent tastes to life, dedicating people to a delicious sensory experience in a new New Zealand setting. Recording food before it appears or disappearing can evoke nostalgia, especially lollipop packaging, where designs and products are constantly evolving.
Do you want people to know something highly realistic?
What is often overlooked is the brushstrokes of these paintings that are carefully brushed dozens of times over the hours. High realism is often marginalized or seen as irrelevant in the field of art, such as cameras can also create similar products. But for me, art is another way of looking at things which is the best way for ordinary objects to give a sense of uniqueness and extraordinaryness. Hyperrealism is the use of certain tools to evoke resonance with people historical still lifes, especially food, which have such characteristics as a rich internal struggle, often swinging the theme of abundance and inevitable decay.
What place do you think your painting can take on in context?
My work seeks to capture the beautiful and short experience of the time before a meal. Candy themes and signature foods encompass a static, timelessly rich sexual life— yet many of my paintings incorporate lifestyle brands and logos, allowing inevitable decay to remain social. Maybe one day the lollipops I draw will be discontinued, and my paintings will become a window into the past. I was gradually drawn to the concept of decay in still life, feeling that this was the next step in my exploration of nature.
How long does it take you to complete a piece?
I spent about 40 hours to paint most of my paintings, and for more detailed paintings, it takes more than 60 hours. I also spent some time in both the planning and distribution phases. In general, this takes an average of three to four weeks to develop a painting from conception to completion.
What was your process like?
I first set up the composition, background, and lighting settings for taking a photo with the subject of my choice, then I picked the best picture, printed it out in scale, and then tracked it to make sure I was able to record the exact details and proportions. Under the photo reference, I started drawing. Using acrylic, I first draw blocks on the background and then move to a small part of the body. At this stage, I tend to focus on complex details rather than larger pictures. My goal was to replicate the tones and textures of the photograph through the middle layers of the building, shades and highlights – completing this piece the way I did. Finally, I added several layers of varnish to protect the richness of the pigments and enhance the color.
How did you start your career as a painter?
I have been committed to my regional art and have exhibited Otago's galleries in various exhibitions, which has helped me gain exposure. Because that's how I started painting when I was very young, it became a part-time job for my research. My business knowledge has grown over the years, especially in branding and marketing myself through social media.
What are you going to do next? What is your work? Dreaming of the future?
Recently I found myself more inspired by the candy district of the supermarket. I wanted to construct a series of works in this melancholy style that summarized the evocativeness of food. Through coarser textures and tones, I want to acknowledge the indulgence, affluence, and consumerist behavior surrounding food and food waste. In addition to describing the food itself, I wanted to explore the existence of catering as a complex social and cultural pillar of our existence.
"I'm always looking for inspiring imagery and a growing visual collection, and I often cite sources of information whether it's food, color, lighting, background, or texture," said Alice, who says I wish my research objects were local, from cafes, bakeries and dairy farms. ”