My Space: Billie Justice Thomson

What makes a truly creative space?

Image and words by Interview Timothea Moylan

Describe your creative practice...

I have a very illustrative style, and I paint and draw things that I love.

Describe your workspace...

I work in a beautiful 1950s building, in an office that I share with LOC Bottle Bar. It’s got big windows looking out over the city, which is a nice connection to the outside world. I’m surrounded by a lot of paint and books.

How does the space influence your practice?

My space has been a huge influence on my work. Having your own studio can be lonely, but the busyness of a shared space can be a lot. Here, it’s a nice balance of having excellent humans around, but choosing when I get to see them.

Where do you take your inspiration from?

My current body of work is about cooking, sharing food at a table with friends and family, and the abundance of the garden. I’ve been spending a lot of time in my garden recently, and that’s come through in my work. I’ve grown heaps of the most prolific cherry tomatoes!

Do you work best in order or chaos?

Oh, definitely chaos! I love my chaos.

What are your go-to tunes while you create?

I listen to house music while I’m working. The pace and rhythm get my brain into a flow state. I really like the classics from Detroit, like Kerri Chandler, Omar-S, Theo Parrish and Moodymann. They’re the godfathers of house.