Instagram makes artist’s dreams come true
EIGHT months ago, Louise de Weger snapped in frustration at her 11-year-old son because she couldn’t afford to buy him a juice. Now, the single mum from Brisbane sends him to a private school, after her work has taken off.
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EIGHT months ago, Louise de Weger snapped in frustration at her 11-year-old son because she couldn’t afford to buy him a juice.
Thanks to social media, the 38-year-old visual artist and designer is now sending Thomas to private school funded by commissions booked up until Christmas.
“Instagram has been amazing, I literally had no money to pay for my son’s school fees so it’s all just taken off this past year,” she said.
“I said to mum ‘wouldn’t it be good if I just sold one piece around the world?’”
One sale quickly turned to multiple and a Lousie de Weger modern abstract artwork can now be spotted on walls across the globe.
Created in her converted shipping container studio on her parent’s property in Brisbane’s Gumdale, de Weger’s art is on display in Singapore, Luxembourg, New York and even Bermuda.
“I haven’t had an exhibition; I haven’t been on anything else but Instagram.”
The single mum completed a Diploma of Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft at Southbank Institute of Technology in 2010 and in that time took out The St George Bank Contemporary Art Competition.
“I was both the runner-up and winner with two different pieces, because the judges didn’t know they were both by me.”
Her style is minimal with clean edges, pattern’s the common link.
She doesn’t plan her pieces but has a structured approach using tape to identify the geometric print before going back in with a fine paintbrush to achieve a crisp line.
“When you’re doing it for eleven hours a day, it’s quite draining, it’s hard work,” she said.
“I have a knack of knowing what’s trending with my art and what’s sellable but it’s always evolving.”
To help Ms de Weger meet demand her parents Kay and Arend shoulder some of the production load.
“Mum’s doing the books and dad’s doing the Tasmanian Oak frames … they were retired and now I pay them,” she said.
“They are so involved they don’t get a break at all, it’s a big family affair.”
Seventy-hour working weeks are now standard for Ms de Weger who’s currently focusing on a 52-piece project with interior design firm Zunica for Melbourne’s Aria Hotel Apartments.
She’s also been approached by Westfield to be a part of special collaboration project next year and is still basking in the glow of praise from judges after a 1.8×1.2 metre artwork of hers was described as “the hero” of a room on Channel 9’s Reno Rumble.
“I’m chockers, I never thought I’d be earning an income and I can’t speak highly enough of Instagram. I get spun out every single day.
“It’s been a good year, that’s for sure.”
Louise de Weger original commission art and design pieces range in price from $1,200 to $6,000 but be warned, there may be a wait if you’re shopping for a special Christmas gift.
“I post a couple of images a day on Instagram and there’ll be someone around the world wanting the pieces,” she said.
“There’s a few months delay for commissions at the moment.
“I’m so bad at turning people down, I just won’t’ sleep for the next few months but I’ve come from nothing, seriously nothing.”
Check her out here:
www.louisedewegerdesigns.com.au
Instagram — @louisedewegerartist
Facebook — www.facebook.com/Louise-de-Weger-Art-Design
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