Meet the Artist: Dina Broadhurst
Seductive, feminine and playful – her digitally created artworks invite you to escape the ordinary and let your imagination wonder.
We chatted to Dina about her journey, inspiration and the advice she’s both been given and would give others.
Did you always want to be an artist/photographer? If not, what was your dream job when you were younger?
Yes always. It was all I would do in my spare time, make anything I could, however I never thought it would be a job, just a passion.
When and how did your art career start?
Art as a full time career started around 2012 when I started showing pieces on my Instagram account. Soon after I completed my last interior design job for Fei Jai Next Door in Potts Point and it all went from there.
How would your friends describe you?
Shy, introverted, emotional, reclusive and passionate.
What do you consider as the first “big break” in your career?
I guess Instagram was what opened me up to a whole new global market where I could be in direct contact with people wanting to buy my work. I owe a lot to this platform of being able to showcase an online gallery of my work that was easier stumble across and find rather than just a website.
What’s the first thing you do in the morning to get your work day started?
I get straight into my emails and enquiries/orders from overnight so then after breakfast I can get into the creative side of things. I basically don’t have breakfast until that admin is done no matter how long it takes. Then I’m usually back online checking in after a couple of hours of either being creative at my printers.
What do you get most distracted by at work?
Nothing except school pick up and I’m usually rushing to make it in time!
What inspires and motivates you to create every day?
Sun, light, emotions, and getting my self out of my head and active.
How do you describe your work to others?
Mixed media collage and digital artwork
What has been your biggest challenge professionally so far?
To get enough space and time to be able to realise all my ideas and dreams. I am constantly searching for more space and more time :)
What was the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I am always getting incredible advice and mentoring from my printer Thomas from Fine Art Printing By Tom who does all my printing work, he knows me like no one else and knows exactly what I’m after as an end result without even having to verbalise it. He knows my style so well now and still pushes and encourages me or guides me with new ideas moving forward. Any new ideas I run past him I love that his response is always a joint response from both himself and his wife Zoe. I love that he asks her and that they think about it together and then come back to me with their opinion.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
My partner Max Shepherd for his birthday in June. I gave him some new gold clubs and also bought a gorgeous new set of custom made oversized bedside table in vintage Travertine as every night he is always knocking things off the bedside table or his phone is falling off the side of it whilst charging!
What’s your go-to method for winding down after a long day?
A bath with oils and magnesium salts
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you recently?
A birthday trip to Gerringong for my partners birthday with a close group of friends, we had so many silly laughs and adventures it was the best!
How would you describe your job in five words?
Creative, passionate, discovery, expression, life.
If you could give your younger self some advice now, what would it be?
Do you and don’t let anybody change that. I gave myself that advice and still remind myself when needed that I can only please myself, so I continue doing what makes me happy and what feels right.