Imaginative artist Beci Orpin has been immersed in a world of 60s book covers, educational toys and 18th century paper-cuts. It’s now time we joined her. Her new show, ‘The Infinite Shape of Rainbows’ currently showing at Lamington Drive gallery, Melbourne, is an exploration of color and opposites.

Beci says, “ I am hoping to show that sometimes what we think might be dark and evil, could actually be good. And what is light and happy, might actually be bad.”

We catch up with Beci to find out a little bit more…

All images copyright Beci Orpin

Hello Beci. So what is your story?
Life story? In short – born to hippy parents in the early 70′s. I had a pretty alternative but very happy childhood. Decided I wanted to draw for a living around 6yrs of age and haven’t looked back since.

In 2001 you started the clothing line Princess Tina – what was that experience like?
The whole thing progressed pretty organically which I like. I wasn’t sure what I was doing but kept getting a good response – I went from selling a few printed hankies locally to stocking stores around the world in a few years. It was a fun time and led me to do lots of travel and meet awesome people around the world. It was also a lot of hard work!

You then started up Tiny Mammoth – what was the appeal in creating clothing line for children?
I just wanted to dress my kids. I found it so hard to find good clothing for boys – everything had a huge ugly embroidery of a tractor on it or some licensed character – horrific! I had all the resources and experience from Princess Tina, so just put into action. It’s also quite natural for me – you can be as cute/quirky with kidswear as you like, so i think it works with my style pretty well.

With so many children’s clothing lines around, how did you create a point of difference?
I try not to pay attention to what other labels are doing and literally design what I want my kids to wear. It seems to come out OK and hopefully looks pretty different from everything else that is out there.

Do you plan your pieces or are they quite spontaneous and sporadic? What is your process?
It depends what its for. For artshows often I have an idea in my head for while, so when I have time to execute it it’s nice to play around in my sketchbook and plan a piece that way. Other times (especially for freelance) I have to turn work around really fast, so even though I am following a brief it can be spontaneous. Often my best work comes out of being under pressure.

Bitmap or Vector?
Both!! Together!

Where do you feel most inspired?
Usually on return from a holiday where I have had a complete change of scenery and everything is back to being fresh and new in the studio. Also when I am super busy and an working on a million things lots of ideas happen then too.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
It’s so hard to say. I feel pretty lucky to work for the clients I have – pretty much any and all of them! Working for xlarge and Burton were definitely a big things for me as they were labels I always admired growing up. Having an exhibition at xgirl in new york (in 2006) was like a dream come true. Being asked to be represented by The Jacky Winter Group was pretty awesome too, and has led me to work I wouldn’t have been able to reach otherwise.

What is your set-up? Gear? Studio?
My studio is at home, but luckily it’s still a pretty decent size and can fit a few of us. It is very basic technology-wise – actually I am pretty scared of technology. We are all on Macs, but I use old versions of Illustrator and Photoshop and they still do everything I need.  Other than that its sketchbooks, pencils, paint, gocco printer and cutpaper all the way!

Do you have any advice for fellow artists who wish to get their work out there and noticed?
Learn to draw before going near a computer. Develop a style that’s original and true to yourself. Diversify. Be prepared to work hard!

What are you working on at the moment? What is next for Beci?
At the moment things are pretty crazy – I thought after my exhibition opened I would get a break but unfortunately no. I am currently am working on a tee-shirt collaboration with Gorman, some new art pieces to go into Outre gallery, branding and website for cafe seven seeds, designing packaging and uniforms for beatbox kitchen, new tees for tiny mammoth and also plenty of lovely illustration jobs through The Jacky Winter Group.

The Infinate Shape of Rainbows – new works by Beci Orpin runs at Lamington Drive gallery, Melbourne until May 8.

www.beciorpin.com