Audi, of Artworx by Audi, is a lifelong learner and admirer of the arts who loves the challenge of creating a representation that reflects someone’s inner vision. Whether that’s on walls, canvas, or inside a paint store, Audi enjoys coaxing out what’s waiting inside someone’s head.
Was decorative art a career you saw for yourself early on?
I have long adored the decorative arts and feel so blessed to be able to create in this way. My path has weaved in and out of the decorative painting business over some decades but I always truly looked up to those that did such exquisite works. As a residential painter back in the late 90s, I saw someone’s harlequin tone on tone finish in a dining room and I was awestruck by the precision and tonal qualities. I started looking up different techniques and soon had the opportunity to do a faux brick finish to match an existing fireplace that bridged two areas inside a house. I was enthralled. Physical challenges have sometimes guided me to make different career choices but I have always managed to stay adjacent to decorative arts in some way.
Currently, I manage a paint store where I get the opportunity everyday to help people give life to the aesthetic they envision in their heads and help them find inspiration to choose color, and sometimes texture. Accepting Life on Life’s terms has sometimes guided me to make different career choices but I have always managed to stay adjacent to decorative arts in some way.
What’s your favorite part about your job?
Carrying the Golden Paintworks line of products in our retail store has helped me expand my knowledge of products, techniques, and allowed me to bond with other artists and supply all kinds of people and contractors with new or updated information and options to add to their repertoire. I have such a passion for all things in the decorative painting realm and it gets me excited to talk about them and maybe inspire people to branch out and try something new.
What would you say is the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
I’m a fine artist at heart and sometimes my biggest challenge is to translate what I have made as a sample onto a full-size wall or room. I can easily become engrossed in the details and need to remind myself to pull back from the surface more to see the big picture. That and staying consistent with the application. I have to turn off the desire to “improve as I go” the way I would while doing a canvas work.
How would you describe your artistic style?
I would say my artistic style is organic. My most recent paintings have been just for the joy of painting, which can really be liberating. There is so much angst going on in the world and the grind culture that we have historically ascribed to adds to that. Painting can be a cathartic way of just being present, where there is no worry, no problems. I hope that anyone who experiences my art, whether on walls or canvas, can feel that meditative and serene atmosphere.
If you had to pick just one color that represents you, what color would it be and why?
It’s hard for me to choose favorites but if I had to say what my favorite color is, it’s in the violet range, usually a bluish violet, slightly grayed down. I’m drawn to the tertiary enigmatic colors. Most of my works on canvas have a violet undertone or have tones of violet throughout. I like colors and works that make you linger and wonder and question.
What are your interests outside of decorative arts?
For my spiritual and emotional wellness and grounding myself psychologically, being in nature is key. Relaxing at the beach, botanical gardens, butterfly houses, parks -especially ones with clear running water, are all serene spots to unwind and de-stress. Anywhere that I can appreciate Creation in all its wonders is where I feel most at peace. When I need to have fun, I like to participate in “the great escape” of going to the movies. I enjoy sci-if and superhero type fantasy the most. It’s really important to schedule play time into my life.
See more of Audi’s work at aswope.com.
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