A motif of boats, water and the Tasmanian landscape runs through this born-and-bred Launcestonian’s life, from her work as a naval architect to the abstract paintings she creates in her home studio.
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Lucy Bauld (image supplied)
Where did you grow up, and how did you end up settling in Launceston?
I was born and raised in Launceston. After college, I spent a lot of time travelling around the world, working in Western Australia, New South Wales and overseas, but I always came back. And when we wanted to start a family, we knew that Tasmania was the only place we would want to raise our kids.
Your professional background is as an engineer and naval architect. What sparked your interest in these areas, and what was your pathway to that career?
I grew up by the ocean, so every holiday and a lot of our weekends were spent on Tassie’s east coast sailing on my dad’s old wooden yacht. I was interested in boats, curious about how things worked, and maths and science were my best subjects at school, so studying at the Australian Maritime College (AMC) felt like the best pathway for me. I still work part-time as a Naval Architect - I’m an Autonomous Maritime Systems Engineer (yep, a mouthful!) at AMC Search.
What got you into painting, and how did you find your signature creative style?
I always loved art as a kid, but as I grew up, I didn't make the time to paint or be creative as I was focused on the academic side of school. But, once I was on maternity leave with my first child, I realised that all of my hobbies involved leaving the house, which I couldn't do while he was napping. With housework as my only remaining “hobby”, on top of all the other demands of being a new mum, I found my mental health really beginning to decline. I always wanted to start painting again, so I made a promise to myself that when my baby slept, I wouldn't do any housework or cleaning - I would just paint. And that started it all.
My signature style took a long time time to develop, and it also grew from the trust of a friend who gave me the freedom to explore it by commissioning a one metre-squared painting. She told me a couple of colours she liked, and left the rest up to me. I had always wanted to paint big canvases but had never trusted myself to do it. Having this friend who I hadn’t even spoken to in years ask me to paint how I had always wanted to influenced the creation of my signature style enormously. It was already in me - I just needed the permission to do it.
Artwork by Lucy Bauld (image: Jac Parsons)
How would you describe your artistic work, and who or where is it perfect for?
I paint the world I see around us in motion. I paint the flow of water, which is heavily influenced by my years studying and working in hydrodynamics, and I translate that understanding of flow into landscapes and abstract pieces. My paintings often start with a scene: a favourite place, memory or landscape. I take the feeling, colour and energy of that, and turn it into the paint flowing across the canvas to represent that same scene.
It’s perfect for people who love the flow of water, the ocean, and the calming feeling that brings, but who also love colour and want personality-driven art in their homes. It’s not for the beige, sorry!
You also host monthly painting workshops. What can guests expect from coming along to one?
I created the workshop that I always wanted: a place for people who want to be more creative but don’t know where to start, or for someone who likes painting and wants to learn more without committing to a rigid artist program. My painting workshops provide all the materials and space for people to come and explore, paint freely, or follow my direction while I teach them my abstract painting process. It’s a lot more about following your intuition than trying to do the “right” thing. I want people to feel free to just try something new, and - ideally - to just do exactly what popped into their head in the first place before they convinced themselves that it was a bad idea.
Artwork by Lucy Bauld (image: Jac Parsons)
What does a perfect day in Tasmanian look like to you?
A perfect day would involve some sunshine, beach time and delicious local produce. The thing is, I can think of so many places in Tasmania where this is possible! I have even skied in the morning before fitting all of this into the afternoon, which is honestly the most special thing about this little state. Everything is two hours away, but everything is ONLY two hours away.
Where are your favourite local eats and drinks in Launceston?
Sweetbrew for breakfast, Parla for coffee, Old Tudor Bakery (the best old-school bakery) for a salad roll and sweet treat, and Monsoon for dinner.
Where do you and your family get away to for a Tasmanian staycation?
Maria Island is my favourite place in Tassie to visit - we’ve spent lots of time there on my dad’s boat, and it’s just beautiful - and we also love camping at Cosy Corner at the Bay of Fires over the summer holidays.
When there’s snow, we spend every weekend at Birubi St George Alpine Club at Ben Lomond.
Camping next to the river and mountain biking in Derby is pretty great, and we try to get up to Cradle Mountain at least once a year for some hiking and wombat spotting.
What are three must-dos for every visitor to Tasmania?
Ride a bike around Maria Island, visit the artisans at Salamanca Market and pop into the local galleries, and take the short walk to the peak of Ben Lomond - on a clear day, you can see the ocean from the top!
