“Ibiza is an island where you can be truly who you are”
New Zealand born, Trudy West arrived in Ibiza in 2001. Her creative work is all about texture and colour, she loves to collect items which find their way onto her paintings or jewellery. By transforming and recycling materials she is creating something new, pieces that carry the inspiration and energy of the island. We met Trudy for this interview in January 2011.
Trudy, since when do you live in Ibiza and what is your dedication?
I arrived in Ibiza in 2001 for one week at the end of a holiday in Europe and stayed six months! I immediately turned into a love affair with the island and I had a strong feeling that this was where I was was to live. Coming back the following year, then based in London until 2004, I decided to move permanently so now I have been a resident for six years.
Who are you basically?? Can you please introduce yourself!
New Zealand born, I grew up enjoying the nature and sea as my family had a yacht, so most weekends and school holidays were spent sailing. My love of the sea and beaches has been always been an important part of my life. Modelled for some time and was Miss International NZ when I was 18. I moved to London when I was 19 and married my teenage sweetheart, but after 5 years of city living, the call of nature and open spaces lead me back to NZ. My career has been quite diverse, from working in restaurants and bars, fashion, music, PA work, interior design to marketing with Estee Lauder, Red Bull & Ironman Wetsuits, picking up an enormous and diverse amount of skills along the way. Creativity has always been a big passion and has been incorporated into my working and private life. I am always creating and trying something new. Having done art all through my school years, I decided to embrace it and progress with my unique style and talents. Ibiza has drawn this out in me and I have embraced the change from the corporate world, which was just not fulfilling me any more.
As an fusion artist what are your favourite creative techniques and your favorite materials to work with?
Now that is an interesting question and I love the decription 'Fusion Artist'. I work with many different mediums. There is not really one technique in particular. I get an idea, I play with it. With my paintings I mostly work in acrylic. It's all about texture and colour and I love to collect from antique and flea markets, find things in the street, on the beach. These items find their way onto my paintings. I use recycled pieces of jewellery, feathers, shell, photos, sand and textiles. With my jewellery I use predominantly a shell from NZ called Paua Shell (Abalone). The colours are incredible, rich blues and greens, and I recycle bits of jewellery and transform the piece of shell into a little artwork that can be worn effortlessly. It's a unique idea that came about when I made a necklace for myself one day and got an enormous amount of comments each time I wore it.
Painting and jewellery are my main focus, but I also moments when I make one-off greeting cards, work a little with leather making purses and bags, just to name but a few of my diversions.
What does Ibiza mean to you?
Ibiza is an island where you can be truly who you are. There is freedom here that embraces individuality. The energy, colours, natural light, nature and the diversity of life in Ibiza has inspired my creativity. There really is nowhere else in the world quite like Ibiza. For me it is now more than all the parties of which I was fully involved in and enjoyed enormously over the years! Yet there is a change happening within me as I am embracing my spirituality and the special energy of Ibiza is assisting in this. Ibiza is becoming globally renowned for its healing energies and the many retreats and healing work on offer here. This energy is changing the way people view Ibiza and also the viewpoints of many people living here as personal shifts are happening. I am continually inspired by the beauty of Ibiza, its colours and stunning light. Springtime is my favourite time on the island.
Do your paintings and jewellery in a way capture the energy of the island?
Yes! “Trudyenibiza” is an expression of a life in Ibiza - quirky, unique and magical. I do incorporate a touch of NZ in my work. I haven't been home to NZ for over three years, yet it is always with me in my heart and along with the energies of Ibiza and the passion for what I am creating with love, they all merge and it is expressed in my work.In regards to your jewellery – where can we get your pieces and what is their average price?
Prices currently range from 25€ to 120€ and can be purchased by contacting me. I am creating a webpage which will be launching soon but in the meantime I can be contacted by email: trudyenibiza@hotmail.com or via Facebook: trudyenibiza
What’s your next big project or mission in 2011?
Ibiza is where I live and create. It is time to broaden my horizons and share my art with the world. I am working on putting together an art workshop called 'Art from the Heart'. It will be a one day workshop for expressing a personal journey within. Even if you think you don't have any artistic talent, I will show you that you do and how you can express it. It'll be a lot of fun!
I also have a little cottage industry whereby I make Ibiza salt products with pretty packaging. Ibiza Rock Salt with Wild Rosemary and Garlic, and a yummy Body Scrub with Ibiza Rock Salt, Almond and Lavender Oil (can also be used as a bath soak). It will be available in a few local shops dotted around Ibiza this summer. I would like to add more to this Ibiza product range. Ideas already flowing!
Thank you very much!
Interview & Fotos: Friederike Diestel
