Janelle Burger

Every series of Urban Walkabout Guides is unique and visualised by a local artist whose illustrations grace the covers. Their expression with ours bring you Perth precincts in all their colours. There’s always a story behind their practice and outputs, so here we give a little more on The Artists. Meet Janelle Burger, her artwork is featured on our Urban Walkabout Perth series in 2012.

1. Tell us a little about your artwork.
I've never really stood back and thought what my artwork is, but I would have to say a strange mix of fashion, food and cartooning. I've been told my work is a little pop inspired too.

2. How did your journey start?
I was obsessed by Disney films as a child and I remember drawing Sleeping Beauty with crayon and gluing her to paddle pop sticks so I could play with them. Ever since then I've always loved drawing people but I never really took illustrating too seriously until maybe year 7, my teacher was always asking me to draw pictures to stick around the classroom. Throughout my high school years I always got high grades in art and was encouraged to take it seriously, but I never ever thought I could get a job out of it. Ever since I moved to Paris 4 years ago I began to take it a little more seriously. I also work as a photographer during fashion week and got more and more into fashion illustration. The fashion environment has sparked my passion.

3. What have been your biggest challenges?
Sometimes not knowing what exactly to do with my work and the whole freelance thing can get a little tough at times - not knowing where the next job may come from is a little worrying.

4. What keeps you motivated to continue creating?
Hmm, I have no idea? For me its a way to block out the world and relax and be in my own head - always has been.

5. Who or what inspires you?
Being around other creative people really inspires me to keep on going! Or sometimes it's just riding my bike into Paris, taking photo, watching tourists get excited, and even eating a small pastry can do it for me. I think life just inspires me, sounds corny but it does!

6. What is Perth’s best-kept secret?
It isn't necessarily a place in Perth, but the people of Perth is the best-kept secret. That and Fremantle; I was born and raised there and its my favourite place in the world. I never thought I would think that!

7. What's the story behind the artwork that features on the cover of the Urban Walkabout guide? Each issue I think of the town and try to think of what the typical girl of each city is about and what would she wear. I then chose a favourite model and collection by a high-end designer.

8. Whose artwork have you collected or would you like to collect for your home?
The only art I've ever collected was a Jeff Koons print titled “sandwiches”. I used to put it on my wall at every share house I ever lived in. Right now I have an ink painting a friend sent me, an original Christian Lacroix Haute Couture watercolour illustration from the 90s and a few Aboriginal paintings. I always wanted a Vincent Van Gogh painting of the sunflowers in a vase, I was obsessed with that as a kid.

9. Tell us about your latest project?
I'm thinking of starting a small clothing line, nothing too big. Just a few dresses, pants and shirts with some of my designs on there. People keep telling me to stop illustrating other people's work and start putting my own work out there, I think it's a long time coming.

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