Slightly Bruised Fruit

  
Slightly Bruised Fruit, the urban art duo of Cherie Strong and Jonny Arnold, have been blending the styles of fine art and street art to an entirely new level. Their combined forces creating a whirlwind of artistry that spins across the galleries and the streets. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with them about the origin of their collaborative artwork and their upcoming solo art show Urban Harvest.


Starving Artist: What ignited your interest in creating art together?

Cherie: Both of us were big fans of each others artwork and Jonny had the opportunity to come to Australia last year for a solo show in Brisbane. It was the perfect opportunity to get into the studio and work alongside each other and that in turn started our collaborations that we worked on together.

Jonny: I would say it had something to do with bringing something new to the table. Drawing together we realized that our two styles mixed together nicely. We did a few under the Cherie and Jonny title, then realized we needed a name.

Starving Artist: How did the name Slightly Bruised Fruit come about?

Jonny: After a few discussions between us and another artist, Barek, we went through a whole heap of names. Bruised fruit comes from the song Strange Fruit by Nina Simone, it was playing in Barek's studio in Brisbane.

Cherie: We needed a name that suited where we were at this stage in our art careers, and life in general, something that suited us. Slightly bruised but still sweet.

Starving Artist: Did you two connect right away, artistically and personally, when you met in Brisbane?

Cherie: Yes, we had been friends online for sometime having already met in London last year for a group show. We already had a friendship and had talked about working together, so it was a natural progression to work alongside each other once he was able to come to Australia and we had a proper studio environment to work together in. The relationship came as a natural progression to working so closely together too I think.

Starving Artist: I had wondered if you two were in a relationship, it seemed that way from your interaction and collected works, but I didn't want to pry. I know how these things can be and sometimes it's one of those things you don't want to be all out in the public.

Cherie: Not at all, it's no secret that we work and play together.

Starving Artist: Would you say that the same spark that ignited your interest in creating art together carried over to your personal lives as well?

Jonny: I would say that we both definitely have a passion for art, this cannot help but be noticed. It's how we live our lives.

Cherie: We are pretty lucky I guess, we have connected really well creatively and personally. We both share a passion and bring different things to the party, so to speak, as a couple both in and out of the studio. We are happy and challenged and in a supportive environment daily.

Starving Artist: Do you remember the first art piece that you both collaborated on?

Jonny: It was awful.

Cherie: ha!

Jonny: I remember it was on a massive black board. Cherie's bit was gorgeous, mine was shocking. I think soon after that we realized that collaboration is more than just doing your own thing side by side. That it's more about having a concept and thinking it through and combining the two ideas.

Cherie: What we were trying to achieve was a mix of fine art and urban art, mixing the tight with the loose. It took a few attempts to get going but once we worked together on a piece, not just his bit and her bit, I think that's when it really started to work.

Starving Artist: That actually brings up a question that I was personally curious about. I love both of your styles, and I think you are both incredibly talented at what you do, but I imagine it might be difficult to mix your styles at times. Yet you do it, very very well. Is there a secret to being able to connect so well on canvas?

Cherie: We know where we are going with each piece, we have a final vision and so we just take it from there. I do what I'm good at, Jonny does what he is good at, and then together we make sure that it has worked as a whole. Having confidence in your partner and their ability is the key, I think. I just hand it over after working on it for a while and know it's all good.

Jonny: I think there's a certain amount of trust involved. Sometimes you have to just throw caution to the wind. Having Cherie hand me an artwork that she's spent hours drawing on to perfection then chucking spray paint and turps at it can be a bit, how shall we say, nerve jangling.

Starving Artist: Can you tell me about some of the pieces that will be on display at the Urban Harvest show?

Cherie: We are really excited about this upcoming show, it's our first chance to exhibit together. We are still creating new pieces and probably will be right up until we hang, it's all fresh. We will have a mix of our older style and our new direction too. The focus is still beautiful portraits, but with an urban twist.

Starving Artist: What is the best place online for people to view and purchase Slightly Bruised Fruit artwork?

Cherie: We have a Facebook page,  Facebook.com/SlightlyBruisedFruit. Both of us also share our Slightly Bruised Fruit work on our collective pages. We sell directly and also take commissions. We can be reached through messages on our Facebook page, or by e-mail at cstrongart@hotmail.com. We have sold pieces all over the world already. There are Slightly Bruised Fruit pieces in Germany, Italy, USA, Australia and the UK. So we're happy to ship anywhere.

Starving Artist: Do you have any advice for new or up and coming artists?

Jonny: Be confident and honest with yourself and others. Draw, paint, then draw and paint some more.

Cherie: Create, create, and then create some more. Do it for you. You can make a living from art. It's not a fairytale but it's not all drinking coffee and standing around at galleries wearing black and smoking cigarettes either. It takes a lot of personal motivation and a thick skin, but I promise you that its worth it. Art has brought me every good thing in my life. It's been a tyrant and heartbreaking at times but it has filled my soul with joy and it will always be my greatest love ... after you of course, Jonny :).

A huge thank you goes out to Cherie Strong and Jonny Arnold from Slightly Bruised Fruit for giving us their time for this interview. To view their artwork please visit the Slightly Bruised Fruit Facebook page or check them out at their solo show Urban Harvest.