Window Feature Artist: Sophie Massey

This August, the West Darling Arts Exhibition Window showcases the work of Sophie Massey, a Broken Hill-based interior designer and emerging painter whose playful artworks grew from a spontaneous home renovation project.

Originally from Newcastle, Sophie moved to Broken Hill with her husband and family three years ago. Since arriving, she has been documenting the renovation and interior design of their mid-century home through social media, sharing her love of colour, vintage influences and spaces filled with personality.

But, her journey into painting began almost by accident.

Preparing her home for an interior photography shoot, Sophie wanted large, original artworks that complemented the colours and character of the space. Unable to justify the cost of the pieces she had been considering, she decided to experiment with creating something herself.

Using old canvases and leftover sample paints from the renovation, she began making abstract works incorporating colours already found throughout her home.

“I thought, I’m going to use what I already have here and just see what I can do,” Sophie said.

Inspired by western-themes, Sophie painted her first cowgirl. Feeling that the figure needed a companion, she created a matching second piece and displayed the pair in her home.

When photographs featuring the paintings appeared on social media, followers began asking where they could purchase the works. Encouraged, Sophie created two new paintings and cautiously offered them for sale.

The first sold within two minutes, with the second following soon afterwards.

“I remember running in to my husband in tears, saying, ‘They sold!’ I could not believe they actually sold,” she said.

What began with a few cowgirls has now expanded to include cowboys, pets and personalised commissions inspired by the ideas and stories of Sophie’s clients. Each new work allows her to experiment with subjects, compositions and unexpected colour combinations.

Sophie says colour is also central to her interior design practice.

“I think things need to have soul,” she said. “I love pairing unexpected colours and the warmth and magic that comes from that.”

Sophie uses layers of colour, texture and tonal variation to make spaces feel warm, welcoming and lived in. Her approach is collaborative, beginning with how her clients want their homes to feel, as well as how they need the spaces to function.

“There’s no point having something beautiful if every day you’re fighting against trying to function in that space,” she said. “The beauty can be in the functionality of it.”

Painting has also provided Sophie with a valuable creative escape from the demands of work and family life.

“It switches off the mum mode of my brain,” she said. “I can just focus on what I’m doing and create something.”

Her advice to anyone considering a new creative practice is simple: start experimenting.

“Just try it, because you never know how it’s going to pan out,” Sophie said.

Sophie Massey’s work will be on display in the West Darling Arts Exhibition Window throughout August. Follow her interior design, renovation and painting practice on social media at @honeyhaus.bysoph.

The West Darling Arts Exhibition Window is a free exhibition opportunity supporting and promoting emerging and established artists from the Far West region and beyond. The program provides artists with a public platform to showcase their work, increase their visibility and connect with potential audiences and buyers.