H A R R I E T T E x N K E

Q1. What do you do?
To sum it up: Im a portrait artist who moved to the ‘Bay just about a year ago from Sydney. I have also recently started designing with my best mate and sister (bro) for our newly born clothing brand, ONH (pronounced “on”).

Q2. What inspires you in life and your pursuits with ONH and your art?
Anything visually pleasing really whether it be a great house, a piece of furniture, an interesting face or item of clothing.

Q3. What do you do for down time?
Kick back in the sun with my cat­dog listening to 90s rap or sip on a negroni at The Roady with my Byron fam.

Q4. What does your everyday uniform look like?
Depends on the season. Lately in the cooler months it has been a pair of cropped linen pants or jeans, a good tee, pair of kicks and a cashmere jumper.

Q5. What’s something you can only do here?
In Byron? Roll into Aldi without shoes on.

Q6. Where do you paint/ draw and what drives you to do so?
I draw at home. I’m lucky enough to have my own space here. I work on large boards that i clip my canvases to and generally move around the house depending on my mood.

Q7. What is the most prized and memorable artwork you have created?
Would probably be Slim Shady ­or Robert Mapplethorpe. He was the first work I created for my solo exhibition a few years back.

Q8. What is your creative process?
I don’t really have one. In order to get stuck into a piece I need good/loud tunes, a light open space and solitude.

Q9. We are seeing a lot of architecture references on your instagram, tell us a little more about this; is structure and design something you’ve always been drawn to?
I’ve always had a real love for architecture, ever since I can remember. This love rubbed off onto me coming from a family of designers – in particular my dad – who has built and designed his own houses for most of his life. I love scrolling through architectural blogs and websites in my spare time. Hopefully one of these days I get my ass into gear and go to architecture school!

Q10. Tell us a little about this beautiful cat of yours!
He is everything. Anyone who knows me knows how obsessed I am with him! He’s a maine coon called Marsellus Wallace. They’re the largest domestic cat breed out there. He’s huge and not even 1 year old yet! Apparently they stop growing at around 2 and a half years old. He’s basically a dog: he loves people, having baths and playing fetch.

Harriette’s Essentials: