Meet the fabulous Pip Compton! I have been so incredibly lucky to meet the most wonderful, creative, talented and kind hearted women through my dear friend Kate James. I met Pip last year as part of Kate’s mentoring program and was immediately drawn to her. Not only is Pip an incredibly talented artist and graphic designer, with an obvious passion for the natural world (check out her stunning Instagram feed), her huge heart and wonderfully wicked sense of humour make her an absolute delight to be around. Pip very kindly shared her thoughts with me about her love and respect for the natural world and its very special place in her life. I hope you enjoy and are inspired by Pip’s responses together with the beautiful images and illustrations she has kindly shared.
Can you describe what it is you love most about nature and how it inspires you?
Thanks Catherine. So hard to summarise. Visually I love the forms: the textures, the details, the patterns. Physically I love the air: its clarity and freshness, mornings are best. Emotionally I love the way it makes me feel: it energises, calms and inspires.
Do you have a particularly special place or environment where you feel most at peace?
I love walking in the woods when the light is subtle and the air is crisp, collecting pinecones and treasure. I love drifting down a long windy creek in the kayak, surrounded by bushland and bird songs.
Can you tell us a little about how your love of nature informs your work, play or both?
I reference nature a lot in my graphic design work and private commissions. Drawing has always been my passion and I love nothing more than exploring an overgrown field or untouched beach and sketching up some botanicals or found treasure. It is the finest details that intrigue me. It is the process that calms me. I have a background in teaching and love spending time with a class of beginners with nothing more than pencil, paper and garden as our classroom.
I am extremely lucky to work with passionate like-minded people who share a love of nature. It is a joy to work alongside them and dream up projects that generally involve ‘the great outdoors’. Whether it be a painting workshop held on a beautiful hilltop, a food store celebrating regional produce or a wine farm making wine purely from grapes and nature’s own. I’ve been very fortunate to explore different areas of study and career.
Whilst studying Biology at University I would happily get lost in my textbooks. They were filled with stunning scientific drawings that intrigued and inspired me. Studying Outdoor Education exposed me to some amazing environments and pursuits and fuelled my love for adventure. Sending me overseas filled with a confidence and hunger for the unknown. Going back to Uni to do graphic design made so much sense and it was something I was born to do. It’s extremely rewarding to spend my days doing something I love.
… and I need to throw in: bike rides with the family around South Gippsland when we are staying at our Inverloch holiday house are such a joy. A great way to explore.
If you were planning your dream outdoor adventure where would you go and what would you do?
Hmmm tough one. I think I would revisit some of my favourite places: throw myself off a boat into the Red Sea for a day of diving or climb some rugged mountain in Scotland or sail for days amongst the Whitsunday Islands. Maybe I should do something new and explore NZ from tip to toe. Am I asking too much? Actually I’ve never been to the Maldives…
What concerns you most about the impact humans are having on the natural world?
The excessive demands placed on natural resources. We are changing and destroying natural habitats and biodiversity. We are polluting, dumping waste, over fishing and over hunting animals.
What makes you feel most hopeful about humans’ relationship with the natural world?
‘Going Green’ is becoming more and more popular. Contributing to cleaner water, air and soil. Using alternative energy sources, recycling and reducing waste.
Preserving biodiversity through creating protected areas. Managing fisheries and logging operations so that resources are only removed at a sustainable rate. It’s important we educate our kids how to live a more sustainable life and make good decisions.
Check out more of Pip’s stunning work on Instagram and Pinterest and keep an eye out for a second date for Pip’s ‘Looking Further – Watercolour Painting with Pip Compton’ to be released soon (the first one, being held on 24 September 2016, sold out almost immediately!) – a magical day at Tamsin’s Table wandering, gathering and painting with Pip followed by a beautiful three course lunch featuring fresh ingredients straight from the garden. Having recently celebrated a special occasion at Tamsin’s Table, I know for a fact that this promises to be a very special day indeed!
