We are over the moon to announce our AW19 Artist Recipient as art & design duo Amanda and Ben Denning who collaborate as husband and wife IRL and also under stationary brand The Adventures Of! These rare treasures have launched us into a lagoon full of fun and we can’t wait to see their artwork come to life across the Finders Keepers Autumn Winter 2019 season. Working with a pastel palette, the only winter blues you’ll run into this season are blissful ones, trust us. We caught up with artist Amanda to chat adventures, processes and possibilities.

Tell us a bit about The Adventures Of & how this adventure started?
The adventures of aims to celebrate the big and small adventures in life through a range of quality paper goods! We are a design and print brand specialising in art prints, stationery as well as graphic design services. The adventure began as a result of working on my own projects in between working for clients. I was working for a print company at the time which influenced the launch of our first greeting card range! 

What was the inspiration and design process behind the magical artwork created for our AW19 poster? 
For the Finders Keepers AW19 campaign I was inspired to create a lagoon theme. After visiting my favourite local rock pool I noticed the colours and shapes from nature. I am also forever inspired the iconic Matisse. The design process began with sketching a range of layouts and shapes in a lagoon. The piece was then developed further through collage, layout and colour!

How do you feel your practice has evolved since you began your creative business in 2013?
I feel as though my work is always evolving. I’m always interested by and experimenting with different print methods which I think plays a role as the design and print of a piece goes hand in hand. At the moment i’m exploring printing methods like risograph and screen printing for example as I love the tactile, hand made nature of this process.

“Be authentic and open, you never know where an opportunity might lead you!”

How do you stay creatively inspired? 
I’m currently doing a pottery course just for fun, for me exploring different art forms keeps me inspired as it doesn’t always have to be about working with the same medium. I’m also most inspired after travel! Being outdoors and keeping active plays a big part too.

What does a Monday morning look like for you?
A Monday would go something like this: First exercise, then coffee!
Check emails, pack/send orders then hopefully there’s time to work on new projects and of course keep on top of admin! 
Running a small business really does mean you need to wear many hats! 

Describe your favourite creative project to date. (We know you have your biggest creation in the works right now with a baby on the way! Congratulations!)
Thank you! That’s a tough question. I’m currently working on a children’s book which is so much fun! It’s still in the early stages but i’m excited for it to take shape.

Where are your favourite places to adventure in Sydney? 
My husband and I like to head down to Garie beach near the figure eight pools which is about half an hour from our home. We also love hanging about Oak park in Cronulla.

What advice would you give aspiring artists who are looking for a career in the arts?
Be authentic and open, you never know where an opportunity might lead you!

What does small creative business mean to you? 
Running The Adventures Of has been self satisfying creatively. For me it’s about flexibility to suit my lifestyle. I am able to make choices and take on projects that will grow and inspire me and hopefully others. 

“For me it’s about flexibility to suit my lifestyle. I am able to make choices and take on projects that will grow and inspire me and hopefully others.”

Do you have a favourite find from Finders Keepers?
I remember attending the Finders Keepers years ago and discovered Bridget Bodenham ceramics which I adore! I actually still have the mugs I bought. I’m currently studying ceramics just for fun and I’m so inspired by the ceramics community!

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Watch The Adventures Of artwork come to life across our Autumn Winter season! Be sure to RSVP on facebook for all the updates and stay tuned for our full lineup of designers, food heroes and entertainment.