We made Ink on our family farm nestled in the creative community that is the Northern Rivers of NSW. Tess is a poet and artist who lives and works just down the road from us in the beautiful Tweed Valley. Rhi caught up with her to chat about her creative process.

What is your creative philosophy?

Creativity has always felt instinctive and in that I’ve adhered to the practice that creativity is innately part of life rather than an extension of it. The pursuit of seeing beauty and being awake to it is the undercurrent and leading of all my work. I seek it through conversation and electric communion in my prayer life, it’s here, my eyes become awake to the beauty around me — and from this place, I create.

What is your absolute dream studio space?

I envision it to be on the second floor of a beautiful old building with big windows that go from floor to high ceiling that allow for large moments of light to dance across the imperfectly textured white walls and ornate fixtures. The intention of the mostly white layout serves as a blank canvas to hold the colourful art created in the space much like a gellery would. The big windows share view a bustling European township (preferably somewhere on the coast of Spain or inland Germany) the view allows for all senses to witness the beautiful happenings of the street below whilst not needing to be directly amongst it but lend a special view to it. I imagine the street sounds rising an landing into the large space through the window much like music would and in its entirety the space would feel welcoming, warm, eclectic and playful with a sense of grandness yet not intimidating and a beautiful nod to nostalgia with a modern slant.

I like to work mostly alone (unless I’m working on something collaborative) and I like the freedom to move my body about a space with no limits in regards to its size and the amount of projects I could have going at once. The studio would facilitate enough room to allow for multiple experiences whether it be a large scale painting, marbling, dancing, sitting quietly and writing or simply just experimenting in whatever medium felt necessary at whatever given moment of the day. Most importantly the studio would be close to a good coffee shop and a bakery for those much needed deep breaths and breaks throughout any given work day. And let’s not forget a sweet little pizzeria found on the corner for those late nights where I could grab a little bite (and aperitif) to continue projects late into the night if my heart so desired.

Take me here.

Tell us about what you’re currently working on? What’s happening BTS and what can we expect to see from Tess Guinery in the next few months?

I have recently launched my new website with a strong focus on making my poetry and prose more available in print form alongside my books. The new website launched with two new collections and my team and I are on the cusp of releasing my recent poetry book ‘The Stars Nodded’ globally as an art piece to vendors and store holders.

Favourite playlist whilst creating?

I often move through different genres throughout my studio days depending on the mood that feels appropriate to what I’m working on, but I do love anything that can serve as gentle background noise unless it’s 4pm and I need to get the R&B flowing to bring home the day strong. I have also found a fond love for bottle the rare commodity of silence since becoming a mother. Silence hits differently these days, particularly when I'm writing, this is my preference.

What is it about Ink Gin that captivates you?

It’s the visual romance of the entire experience and unique colour palette that first lures me in and the flavours, exquisite. It feels entirely special from eye contact to last sip.

If you could have a drink with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?

My lover, nothing sounds better honestly.

Favourite Ink Gin cocktail?

FRENCH 75

Simple and elegant, as any classic should be. This cocktail dates back to World War I, but never gets old.

Ingredients

30ml Ink Gin
15ml fresh lemon juice
15ml simple syrup
60ml Champagne / Prosecco
Lemon peel

Method

Pour gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup to an ice filled cocktail shaker. Shake hard until well chilled and strain into a champagne flute. Top up with Prosecco. Garnish with a lemon twist.

You’re hosting a dinner party, how do you adorn the table? What’s on the menu?

A long table covered in all the most beautiful and colourful tablecloths, wildflowers placed nonchalant in obscure and interesting vases from all around the world, candles and good lighting is paramount, paired with one of my husbands carefully curated dinner playlists. Glorious bowls and plates abundantly dressed with salads, pasta and bread paired with rouge and champagne poured into wine glasses that tell a story of their own. As the night lingered into dark, a small handful of stayers that stay till the very end would sit and sip a night cap of Ink Gin with the kind of conversation that journeys through the most obscure kind of stories, because we all know the best stories are always shared in the residue of a good night slowly closing. Important to mention the mess would be left for the morning because bed would be calling.

Thank you to Tess for joining us. To shop Tess Guinery’s poetry, visit her website.

Creator: Tess Guinery x Ink Gin