Happy Camper by Tom Sladden, at Mary Newton Gallery in Wellington, takes a whimsical look at the camping aesthetic.

"It looks at Re-Settling through this idea of setting up camp. It puts us into a sort of Utopian state where there are no IN-trays, and frees us up to focus on important issues such as family, friends and food."

Sladden uses some back-lit canvases reminiscent of tents and old enamelled sliding doors as canvases, as they already have their own history that he adds his to.

Sladden says this work is a vehicle for pegging out some artistic terrain to work within. "These are landscape paintings, but 'psychological landscapes' - places you won't find on a map."Happy Camper by Tom Sladden, at Mary Newton Gallery in Wellington, takes a whimsical look at the camping aesthetic.

"It looks at Re-Settling through this idea of setting up camp. It puts us into a sort of Utopian state where there are no IN-trays, and frees us up to focus on important issues such as family, friends and food."

Sladden uses some back-lit canvases reminiscent of tents and old enamelled sliding doors as canvases, as they already have their own history that he adds his to.

Sladden says this work is a vehicle for pegging out some artistic terrain to work within. "These are landscape paintings, but 'psychological landscapes' - places you won't find on a map."During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?
Between 6am and 7am and after 8.15pm - .

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?
Sloppy-Chic, [ok - ..maybe just sloppy.]

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?
Solving a creative problem in a 'slap-dash' way, when I thought it was going to take hours of painstaking work - .

How does your environment affect your work?
Not so much at the moment.

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?
I'm tending to focus on slightly insignificant details at present.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?
If possible marry a Lawyer, or failing that, always buy in bulk and stay away from Art Supply shops, try the Hardware first.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?
That's tricky to choose, but I've recently enjoyed converting Trade-me purchases [tents] into 'Light' Paintings - .I also painted a really good picture from the 'side angle' of a head eating a sandwich in Standard 3, which I'm still proud of - [whereabouts unknown]

Who or what has inspired you recently?
Revisiting some of Jim Dines early 60's wall paintings, always helps.

What does your latest work Happy Camper explore?
It looks at Re-Settling through this idea of setting up camp. It puts us into a sort of Utopian state where there are no IN-trays, and frees us up to focus on important issues such as family, friends and food.

The work includes used surfaces for canvasas. What did you use and why?
That's a process I have been using for several years. I paint on old enamelled sliding doors which I cut down and join together. I select the colours carefully and the hard uncompromising surfaces make drawing a bit of a struggle which is a good way of self-regulating the amount of information I can 'force in', plus there are usually some visual cues already there, which saves time - .. -

Do you believe we camp each year to "satisfy our settler-psyche."
Hmmm, I think I said this, so yes I believe we do.

How are the works 'psychological landscapes'
Well, to start with they are out of my head, they are also presenting us with a situation that is immediately recognisable, yet isn't quite 'ringing true', they seem to be missing crucial elements but it's unclear what those are, we may be forced to fill in some of the gaps from our own experience etc - they are deliberately 'spare' and dream-like, yet attempts at authenticity are being made through devices such as 'bad' 2 point perspective drawing etc, so they are flawed in a very 'human' way - .the view point is also important as in most cases we are hovering over the scene in a slightly unnatural way - .

Did you go camping as a child - do you still go camping?
Yes. And yes I take my family camping and they love it. We've got 4 kids so have had to upgrade to a Great Outdoors 'Manor' tent to fit everyone in, this now requires a trailer and some serious horsepower to get us places, plus it puts free-camping out of the question, so we're back in with pack.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?
Yes, a good question. I would say a World Renowned Cancer Researcher, famous for making that breakthrough cure - but that would be lying. So I'll say an Astronaut on the Apollo Space Program.

What place is always with you, wherever you go?
My Grandmother 'Army' hut, corner of Bond and Oxford Streets in Marton .

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?
Music must be listened to very loud, preferably alone, with some sort of reflective surface handy for checking yourself out while screaming out the chorus.

You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?
That's too easy, it must be a trick question - - obviously I make a little tent - and inside sleeps a little mouse - and tethered to the tent pole is a tiny little kite that flutters overhead in the autumnal breeze - ..

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?
'Those that matter don't mind, those that mind don't matter.'

What's great about today?
Well it's Wednesday, so that means 'Scrubs' is on at 8 - ..but somehow that doesn't feel like the right answer.

What's your big idea for 2008?
Crikey, I'll need a bit more time to think about that one. I am quite keen to get rid of my cell phone - people could write me letters instead.

08/07/08