Skye Di Maio is a 28-year-old creative originally from a small town outside the bustling, creative hub we know as Glasgow. She currently works in the hospitality industry but spends her own time working on creating artwork that she uses to express herself, her queer identity and accept her own insecurities.
What first sparked your love for painting?
I can’t remember what first sparked my interest in painting but I’ve
always been interested in art and more creative things. I studied Art & Design and
Applied Art when I left school for two years. But I stopped painting for about 6
years and picked it back up again during lockdown (Obviously, because that’s what
everyone did).
I started nostalgically painting the close from the flat I used to share with
my friend, then sketching and painting my friends nudes and more abstract work. They all seem to correlate to me.
If your creative medium wasn’t painting, what would it be?
Hmm, I think my creative medium would probably be photography as I was always into
taking photos whilst growing up. I’d like to do more merging of the two in the
future though.
Queer identity and self Acceptance
How did the link between queer identity and your painting process develop?
Honestly, I think the painting process started first which then transcended into my
queer identity. Anything I do will be inherently queer because that is who I am, but
whenever I paint something that’s NSFW it really helps me accept myself more, as
I guess it’s more vulnerable to me.
"Anything I do will be inherently queer because that is who I am"
How has your view on self acceptance changed since you started painting?
When I started to paint my own and friends' nudes, it really just hit home about
how beautiful and different our bodies are. Growing up in a society with a
‘classic’ beauty standard was extremely difficult and confusing. I used to hate so many
things about my body that I now love. I still struggle with my own insecurities but by painting I feel like I’ve finally found a way for that struggle to feel quieter.
"I still struggle with my own insecurities but by painting I feel like I’ve finally found a way for that struggle to feel quieter"
Do you purposefully use painting as a method to explore self acceptance or did the two just merge naturally?
The two kind of merged naturally but I am now making it a thing I do on purpose as I feel like it helps me and others who feel the same.
Which of your painting styles came first, your abstract work or human form?
What inspires you to create your abstract pieces?
The human form came first for me, then I started to get into more abstract ways of
working with the things I was painting before, like the body and buildings.
I generally don’t have a particular thing that will inspire me. If I see a house that I like I’ll
start to paint in the same colours as that house. I don’t really set out with a plan with my
abstract work and I feel like doing that takes the pressure off of the outcome.
Since exploring self acceptance and your queer identity, what would you tell your younger self?
Ooooh...to be honest I would probably tell my younger self to just continue painting. I
took a lot of years off doing anything creative and in hindsight I think if I had kept
going with my art it would have helped me through some really rough times.
Is there any advice you would give readers struggling within these areas?
I think a big thing for me is that I’ve found an outlet to help me accept myself which I feel
very lucky to have. I think any kind of creative outlet helps massively. Painting, writing,
drawing, photography, singing, playing guitar, literally anything! Even if you don’t show
anyone, having something that releases that tension is important.
"I think a big thing for me is that I’ve found an outlet to help me accept myself which I feel very lucky to have. I think any kind of creative outlet helps massively"
What do you see happening in your creative future?
I would like to host my own exhibition in the near future and also bring out a
wee zine. Apart from that I’m just really enjoying getting to know my artistic style and
playing with different mediums.
Quick fire Round
Who would be your ‘dream’ person to create a commission for?
I think I would have a panic attack if Chloe Wise or Mónica Hernández asked me for a
commission. I can dream.
What 3 artists inspire you?
Silva, Rowan Rosie and Molly Hankinson.
Lastly how will people recognise Skye Di Maio art, how do you put your stamp on what you create?
I love the concept of things being soft and hard at the same time. I think that comes
through in the way I paint.
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