Your occupation, job title, artistic discipline (or very brief description of what you do):

I’m a full-time artist and my design process incorporates acids, salts and sunlight to reveal the hidden elements of copper, including vivid patinas. My creative expression ranges from sculpture to wall art. We have an onsite gallery in Matua and customers can also view the full range of my artworks and services, including commissions at www.reworkit.co.nz.

What cities/towns have you lived in (or spent more than a few months in) beginning with the place of your birth?

I was born in Christchurch and then spent most of my younger years in Birkenhead, Auckland. A year long trip to Costa Rica in sixth form sparked an interest in travel and in my early twenties I set off to live and work in Australia. Building fences in the scorching sun funded my travels to Asia before settling again in London, where I met my wife, Lara. We lived in Clapham and also spent a few months living in Mallorca. When our travel visas ran out, we came back to New Zealand to set up a life together in Onehunga, then Mangere Bridge. By great luck, both of our jobs offered options to relocate to the Bay of Plenty. We spent five years living beachside in Paterson Street, before moving to our current home in Matua. We’ve been here 13 years and we can’t see us going anywhere soon thanks to the estuary views, big garden, and awesome neighbours. They kindly put up with all the noise I make, so that’s a bonus.

 

What are the earliest stories you remember hearing? The ones that told you about the world?

Richard Scarry’s “Busy Busy World” was a childhood favourite. I loved the fun, bright illustrations and all the amazing places around the globe.

What’s an average day in your life at present?

Mornings kick off with breakfast and a mug of peppermint tea in the garden with Lara and the cats, or by the fire if it’s the middle of winter. We go for a walk before getting stuck into the day. I usually have a few projects on the go at the same time, as my artworks require blocks of time rather than a continuous start to finish process. Commissions always come first on my to-do list. The weather plays a big part in deciding what I’m working on, as I require sunshine to help create the distinctive patina on my wall art. Also, carving railway sleepers in the rain isn’t much fun so I’m always looking ahead to see what days will offer me clear skies. My days vary greatly and can involve processing, cutting, polishing copper, creating patinas, carving sleepers, making frames, piecing artworks together, painting… the list goes on.

I try to get out of the workshop by 5 p.m. so I can whip up dinner. The chef in me is always thinking about the next meal. I usually go to bed planning what’s happening tomorrow so I can start the day with purpose.

 

Do you find solitude essential to your creative process, or do you thrive in collaborative environments as well?

I enjoy a mix of solitude and collaboration. The process of creating my artworks requires a decent amount of time working by myself as often I’m wearing a full rebreather mask and Bluetooth earmuffs, so I can’t talk to anyone or hear anything. I listen to a diverse range of music including some disco. I’m often busted dancing away while I’m making an artwork. On the days when Lara works with me, swinging a hammer, we listen to an ancient iPod on shuffle. It lurches between 80s hits, Burt Bacharach, disco, classical, ska, opera and reggae. It’s great to talk about what we’re working on, share new ideas and sing badly together.

What does success look like for you?

Being able to make a living doing what I love doing, and having the time and freedom to do that. A happy marriage, healthy mind and body, and of course, having awesome cats.

If you went away from the Bay of Plenty for a long time and then came back, what are the first three things you would do or visit?

I would go for a long surf, a beach walk with Lara and then head off to our favourite Yum Cha restaurant with family and friends for a tasty feast of dumplings.

 

Looking back at your teenage self: what one sentence describes that person?

Happy-go-lucky guy trying to get into nightclubs under-age, often seen with a beer in one hand and a ciggie in the other.

Name a few films that you consider profound, moving or extraordinary?

Luc Busson’s movie The Big Blue (1988) made a big impression on me. It’s about the friendship and sporting rivalry between two champion free divers. It has a great story, incredible scenery and a deep connection with the ocean.

Baraka (1992) blew my mind when I first saw it. It’s a documentary which looks at natural events, life, humans and technological over a period of time and was shot in 24 countries.

What was your first real job, second, third?

I kicked off my cheffing career as a kitchen hand and worked my way up to head chef in my early twenties. I worked in Auckland before landing a job in a chain of swanky restaurants in London owned by Marco Pierre White. Back in New Zealand, I got out of hospitality and went on to train as a travel consultant, which I did for 17 years. I now work fulltime as an artist (my favourite job).

 

Where would you like to live, but have yet to?

We love Raglan for its black sand beaches, epic surf break, laid back township/people, and the stunning sunsets. We try to stay there every year in winter with mates for good food, laughs and to enjoy this awesome town. It would be a cool thing to be able to live there one day.

What word of advice would you offer an aspiring creative person?

Give it a go and enjoy the process. Consider creating after work or on weekends to start, and keeping your day job. That way all the fun isn’t sucked out of it worrying about making money solely as an artist. Talk to organisations like Creative Bay of Plenty that provide advice and support for artists to take the next steps in the journey.

Take a video tour of Isaac’s art gallery here.

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