Zowie Baumgart has always had a creative streak. From an early age, the contemporary Australian Indigenous artist, from the Kombumerri tribe of the South Stradbroke Island, Gold Coast area and the Butchulla people of Maryborough and K'Gari (Fraser Island) in Queensland, was constantly submitting artworks to her school’s exhibits – particularly macramé, which was her favourite form of expression. 

But it wasn’t until she had her two daughters (Peyton, 11, and Amity, six) that she began to wonder if there was a way to turn her art into something more meaningful. 

“I bought some pink and brown paints and some canvases and did my first painting – a mountains piece,” she says. “It felt like my calling but I never expected anyone would be interested. I had no intention of selling pieces.” The public, however, had other ideas.

Zowie posted the piece on Instagram and the likes started rolling in, followed by the commissions. She’s barely put down her paintbrush since, creating bespoke commissions for eager customers, as well as murals, sports shirts for her daughters’ school and now a stationery collaboration with Officeworks. ‍

Rotating GIF of Indigenous artist Zowie Baumgart creating one of her large artworks and a close-up portrait of her.

Why Listening and Learning are Key

“I knew it was important that each painting had meaning behind it; you can’t just paint anything and have that be it. There are specific symbols for males and females and children. 

“I’ve also spent a lot of time with my mum’s cousin, Auntie Rose. She’s pretty much dedicated her life to finding out where we come from, our bloodline and everything in-between. She has taught me so much about our people from South Stradbroke. We’re connected to the Rainbow Serpent. She would come and visit for a few days and we’d sit there talking for hours. She has a lot of knowledge, that lady.”

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Rotating GIF of artist Zowie Baumgart making a dotwork piece of art, the work in progress and holding her cat.

Creating Her Own Journey

“My mum and dad came from an era where it was kind of embarrassing to be Indigenous so they really stepped away from the culture growing up. So my painting has been more about creating my own little journey with Indigenous art. My dad has started painting, too. I definitely get my creative side from him. We're kind of coming together and doing it together. It’s been magical for me to be able to include him in this as well.”

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Creativity Doesn’t Always Need a Plan

“With every piece I do, I don’t actually have a vision. I head to my balcony, put music on and just paint. I start with the background and then I simply go with what feels right next. I never second guess myself – I just do it. I sit there all day and get in the zone until it’s time to pick the girls up from school. I pretty much paint nonstop. I could even stay up until one or two in the morning just to get it done, because I love it so much.”

Affordable Tools Lead to Great Results

“I work with acrylics, which can change the shape of the paper if the paper can’t handle its weight. I usually use canvas paper [a heavyweight coated paper that replicates the surface and texture of canvas] and my main tool is usually the back of a paintbrush unless I’m doing a mural, which needs big foam dotters. I get all my canvases and brushes from Officeworks.”

SEE ALSO: 10 Emerging Indigenous Artists to Support

Rotating GIF of Indigenous artist Zowie Baumgart and her dotwork art up close.

‍The Importance of Re-inspiration

“For my collaboration with Officeworks, we wanted the pink collection to represent the Earth and the blue and yellow to be the ocean. [The] oceans are some of my favourite pieces because I’m from the Gold Coast and saltwater in [our] culture is very cleansing for your spirit and soul. The ocean is a favourite place for my dad and me. Winter is tailor [or bluefish] season, so every week we’re out there fishing. You can see a lot of that in my ocean pieces, especially the ones that are painted for night-time. I always have colours coming up through the water and stars in the sky. It’s my favourite ‘zoning out’ space.

“For Earth inspiration, I look to my camping days. When I was growing up, my family would pack up and go and live on South Straddie [Stradbroke Island in the Moreton Bay region of Queensland] for a while. My brother and I would wake up first thing in the morning and go running around the island. We took my daughters there about three years ago and I think my brother and I had more fun than they did, running around like kids. It’s an amazing place.”

Advice for Other Artists

“I know it sounds corny, but I would say believe in yourself. Just keep going. And keep learning. When I look back on my first commissions, I feel like I’ve improved a lot with how I do dot works. A lot of other artists have helped me with technique. Even artists who have been painting for ages are still learning. That’s all part of the journey.” 

Fifty cents from the sale of each product in the Otto + Zowie range will go to the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF). ALNF is a national charity assisting people in our most marginalised communities to gain vital language, literacy and communication skills.

Flat lay image of Otto + Zowie Baumgart range at Officeworks, featuring stationery and gifts by the Indigenous artist.

What to Try 

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