Madelaine Buttini Interview
Madelaine Buttini | @madbutt
Tell Us A Bit About Yourself. Who You Are, Where You're From And What You Do!
My name is Madelaine Buttini, my friends call me Madbutt. I am from sunny Brisbane which is on the East Coast of Australia. I am a collage artist.
How Did You Get Your Start As A Collage Artist?
I started creating collage art in 2015. I am now going on my sixth year of creating artwork.
What Do You Love Most About What You Do?
I love that I am held accountable for my small business, Madbutt, and the energy my artwork puts out to the universe. I am constantly keeping myself in check... meaning that I am making sure that I am on top of my sales, commissions, overheads and everything else that comes with running a small business. This is great because it has forced me to work on myself as a business woman, friend and artist.
What Do You Find The Most Challenging?
Before COVID-19 I was able to travel with my work and connect with other artists around Australia, America and the UK. With the current state of things, I can’t travel which has been annoying because 2020 was going to be the year of exploring and facing my fear of flying! Oh well, I guess I will just have to do that in the future. Haha!
When Things Get Tough, Where Do You Find The Inspiration To Keep Moving Forward?
I am a big believer in talk therapy (CBT & Regression). I have been going to psychologists and psychiatrists since I was thirteen (I was diagnosed with ADHD then). I currently have two therapists who help me with my Complex PTSD, ADHD, Depression and Anxiety. They are amazing and have taught me to find boundaries and stick to them. I talk quite openly about my own mental health and the growth I’ve had on social media. I think ending the stigma of mental health is really important. I also really love reformer pilates. I tried to get back into yoga, but I find it makes me cry which can be embarrassing when I am in the class with other people. But... reformer pilates gets me doing breath work while passively working out. If neither of those work, I will read a book (which I am always collecting) or re-read my favourite magazine, RUSSH.
“I love that I am held accountable for my small business, Madbutt, and the energy my artwork puts out to the universe.”
— Madelaine Buttini
Who Is Someone You Admire Most And Why?
I really admire Tracey Emin. She’s a phenomenal artist. I have had the pleasure of seeing her artwork in New York, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. I often wonder what I would make with her given the chance. I often write about her on my blog, which is on my website. I admire her because she is resilient, intelligent and straight to the point. She doesn’t muck around with her art and is diverse with her methods and delivery. As a female artist she has really accomplished great things for our community and I am always excited to see her new work.
Tell Me Something Unusual That Makes You Happy.
I get all warm and fuzzy when I talk on the phone to my Grandma, Pierrette. She is a French national who lives in Hervey Bay, her English is a little broken but we are still able to have a conversation. I enjoy talking to her about how she is, how her health is, her life before Australia, her history and what she is enjoying at the moment. I call her once or twice a week.
My heart always melts when I see my Grandpa Louie who is also a painter. He taught my Father, John, who attended Queensland College of Art. So I am a third generation visual artist, this makes me really proud. My Grandfather is 92 and his hearing is going, so I don’t get to talk to him much on the phone. When I do see him, I make sure to bring him artwork. It’s really gorgeous when he sees them, he always points out the composition. I wish I could spend more time with them. I never met my Mother’s parents, so I really cherish the time I have with my Grandparents.
Anything Weird On Your Bucket List?
I don’t think anything out of the ordinary but I would like to release a book about collage. I think being able to help people through my art would be amazing too. I don’t know what that looks like yet though.
Top Three Songs You Keep On Repeat?
Cherry - Chromatics
Hard To Say Goodbye - Washed Out
Marilyn - Mount Kimbie, Micachu
Click here to listen to the Happy. Weird. Art. playlist on iTunes! A collection updated with each interview.
Podcast You Can't Get Enough Of?
Do You F*cking Mind by Alexis Fernandez
H3 Podcast by Eithan and Hila Klien
The Joe Rogan Experience
Pretty Basic with Alisha Marie and Remi Cruz
Whatever I Want by Flexmami
She’s On The Money
Disgraceland
2 Dope Queens
How Do You Fuel For The Day?
If I wake up before 10am I will have a caramel iced latte/coffee (depending where you are reading this) or a Vietmanese iced coffee and a cigarette. Sometimes I will take myself out for breakfast with my laptop and work on a blog or emails.
Tell Us About Your Vision For The Future? Go Big! We Want To Root You On!
At the moment I am working on a new series of “hand cut work”, although it is not really hand cut more ripped. It’s working title is “Poster Bills and Poster Babes” but I might change that. I have also started painting again after 10 years of nothing, so I hope to get some of those paintings into group exhibitions. I was going to have a solo exhibition but with the pandemic, I think I just want to hermit a bit more. I have a new collection with Prospect NY releasing on Valentine’s Day. I am really excited for this. It has taken over a year and half to develop. The collection is 12 candles based on my Zodiac Collection.
I am starting a podcast called 1800-MADBUTT which is super exciting because after doing collage art for nearly six years I think it is important to do something different to break up my week. I ordered my microphone the other day and have started planning out episodes, the dedication level is high on this project!
I also have a makeup palette coming out with an LA-based indie brand. I don’t want to reveal too much! But it is really reallyepic. I am really proud of that one.
Madelaine Buttini | @madbutt
Collage Artist | Brisbane, Australia
madbutt.com.au
