Interview.

* When did you develop a concern for the environment, and realise that climate change was something you wanted to take action on?

My climate change journey really links back to who I am. I’m a pacific island snowboarder, and I guess that opened my eyes in a couple ways. In 2015 Cyclone Pam tore through the pacific islands, and that’s when it hit home for me – quite literally. Then around the same time I was learning about the effects of climate change on mountain regions, like the decrease in snow and shortening of seasons, and that added a whole other factor. 

It seemed like climate change was all around me, affecting the communities, people and things that I cared about. That’s when I knew I had to do something. 

* What is/are your main motivation(s) for doing something about climate change?

Once you make the connection and know the effects, it’s hard to turn your back on it. I started to put a whole lot of energy into learning more and doing what I could to help. Eventually, I got a Masters degree in climate change and went into work as a climate change policy advisor for NZ Govt. I felt like I was infiltrating the system. I just wanted to get right in there and make the changes. 

But honestly a lot of the work I have done/do in the climate space is volunteer work. Often partnering with climate orgs to amplify the message. Sometimes it’s more about what you are not willing to pay than what you get paid, and I think the price of silence is too big when it comes to climate change. Basically, I just try to show up, support and get the info out there. 

* Have you always created art and what influence has the climate emergency had on your work as a whole? Do you only create climate-relevant art?

The climate crisis is my ‘why’ when it comes to art and pretty much influences everything I create. I started climatechangebowl last year because I saw a need for people to get accurate science and policy information in a way that they can easily digest and click with. Not in a 400 page technical report full of jargon – that’s just not realistic. I’m a nerd who actually enjoys reading those reports, so I thought I could play a role here. 

Sometimes I talk about the knowledge-action gap – that’s where the climate change science and solutions are known about, but people lack the connection that gets them to act on it. Art has a huge role to play in bridging that disconnect and that’s what I’m trying to achieve through my art. I like that art brings soul to the climate change space and can instantly spark a connection with people. Once you spark that connection, you will always come back to it. 

I want to help get people into these spaces and help provide them with the knowledge and tools to make a difference. No matter what your skills or background are, every single person has something to offer in the climate space. I don’t think it’s enough to just have our ‘leaders’ make the decisions. We need to get in there and tell our stories. Bring our perspectives. Climate change affects everyone but especially the vulnerable, so it’s important to get everyone involved.

* Do you ever get to the point where you can't think of a new work to create, and if so what do you do about it?!

I guess climatechangebowl began as an outlet for the ideas and knowledge sitting around in my brain. They are far better out in the world, and it makes me feel good to share it. Bringing people in is a huge motivator for me to create. But yes, the mental blocks are real.

A lot of my art is created around puns. Sometimes I wonder how many ski-snowboard x climate related puns my brain can come up with. Turns out quite a few. The puns aren’t essential, I just love a bit of humour to connect the message. 

I’ll get into creative moods and I use those times to think up fresh concepts. But sometimes it’s just about getting the pen to paper, even when I’m not feeling overly inspired, and the rest will follow. 

I have a lot of sources of inspiration: nature, snow, mountains, science and policy reports, climate activists, other artists, images of snowboarding/skiing, snowboard magazines. Which pretty much just sums up my world. I quite literally collect inspiration and keep it in a folder. It’s cool because sometimes I’ll look through it a few months later and find fresh inspiration in the bits I collect. 

*  What tools do you use and how long on average does it take you to complete a piece?

I’m into digital art and create everything on an iPad using Procreate. I love digital art because I can easily take it with me and create from just about anywhere. It also makes it very easy to share to a wider audience. 

It will take me a good few hours to complete an illustration, usually stretched over a couple of days. I love playing with different compositions and sketches, so that part usually takes the longest. 

Sometimes I do commissioned work with climate orgs, which generally takes a little longer. I’ll put a lot of time into researching and making sure the message comes through in the right way. Then the discussions, changes etc. take some time. But it’s worth it to get it right. Recently I was working with the Climate Heritage Network to launch their new Youth Forum, which was a cool project to be involved with. 

* Do you have any "bigger" plans for your art?

I’d like to build more of a community. Not just around the art but also providing educational and climate action resources to help people take the next step. 

I recently launched my website (exciting) and I’ll be adding lots of handy climate change resources on there – check it out! There will also be an online store on there with some of my prints. So keep an eye out if you’d like to get some sweet climate change art for your walls.

I’d also like to partner with more climate change groups. I love collaborating to get the climate change message out there. So if you know of a climate change group/club/organisation that could do with some illustrations, get in touch :)

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Thanks POW NZ for talking with me!

♡ Melanie Joan