Guest Spotlight: Madison Mueller on Art, Life, and the Ocean
Australia is a land of breath-taking diversity - where the vibrant oceans meet the rugged outback, and every moment spent outdoors feels like an adventure.
For Madison Mueller, this connection to Australia’s natural beauty has been a lifelong inspiration. As a Marine Biologist turned watercolour artist, she masterfully captures the essence of marine life, blending scientific understanding with artistic expression.
At Vita Haus, we celebrate those who bring mindfulness, intention, and stories into their craft. Madison’s journey, from growing up surrounded by Australia’s stunning landscapes to diving into the depths of the ocean, exemplifies what it means to create with purpose.
Her paintings tell stories not only of marine life but also of the beauty and fragility of the world we all share.
We sat down and had a chat with Madison’s around her creative process, her love for Australia’s backyard, and how she balances art, family, and a passion for conservation.
What’s one surprising thing you’ve learned about marine life from painting it?
The main thing that I have learnt is just how diverse, unique and absolutely fascinating our marine life is and that no matter how much I read and research I will continue to learn and be surprised - there is still so much undiscovered and unknown about our oceans and that my ‘species to paint’ wish list will never reach an end.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your life where you realised painting was your calling?
I actually don’t know if there was any one pivotal moment. I still don’t know if I have quite realised that it is my calling - haha! Like everything I do, things tend to just happen and I just roll with it without really consciously thinking about the path I’m on.
I just started painting for me because I loved it, and before I knew it people were asking to buy my art, and all of a sudden I had an art business!
How do you decide which marine animals or scenes to paint? Is it the colours, the movement, or something else?
This varies from painting to painting. Sometimes I am inspired to paint based off a recent or past encounter I have personally had with an animal whilst diving or freediving, sometimes it is to educate the viewer on a particular threat or impact a species is faced with and their conservation status, other times I paint just because of the pure beauty of an animal; its colour, patterns, character, movements and sometimes I like to showcase some of our lesser known or recognised species that people may otherwise never get the chance to see or learn about.
Every piece you create tells a story of that animals life and journey - do you have a favourite painting or subject that holds special meaning for you because of their story?
If you are familiar with my work, you may have noticed I have painted an awful lot of humpback whales. Yes I do love painting them because of their fun details, like their belly lines, barnacles, scarring and patterns. But I also paint them because their story is one that provides a beacon of hope - a conservation success story that shows us that we have the capacity of making changes that really can make a positive impact!
Humpbacks were very nearly wiped off the face of this planet, almost lost from our oceans forever. But at a critical moment for the species, change was made, whaling was banned, and their population was able to rebound and are now thriving once more!
Australia is so full of life, both above and below the surface. How have your adventures - camping, diving, and exploring shaped your creativity?
I’m certain that my adventures around Australia has been one of the most influential factors in shaping my art today. My partner and I spent a year living in a camper trailer exploring some of the most remote parts of this country from remote reefs to deserts and everything in-between.
It was in this time that I truly gained an appreciation and deep connection with our country; the wildlife and the environment. Where my passion grew in my endeavour to help our natural world and showcase its beauty.
What does ‘home’ mean to you, and how does Australia’s unique landscape inspire your work?
It’s clear that its Australia’s underwater landscapes that most inspires my work. Home for a few years for me was in North Queensland with the Great Barrier Reef on my doorstep.
With many boat trips, taking swags and camping out on the reef providing me with endless underwater inspiration! But every corner of Australia’s coast varies and there is never ending variety of life and landscapes to draw inspiration from.
As a mother of two and an artist, how do you find balance between family life and our creative pursuits?
I don’t think I have found a balance yet, haha! But if you want something enough, you just have to find a way to make it happen.
I paint when I can, night times when the kiddo’s are asleep is the best! My youngest isn’t at school yet so I’m still in pretty full on mum mode, but a couple of days at day-care and his grandies house gives me some time for my art. There are some weeks that I get no time at all for my art, with a FIFO partner and if kids are home sick etc. but I wouldn’t have it any other way, I love that I can be so flexible and just be there for my kids when they need too.
Do your two boys inspire or participate in your artist process?
Actually not all that much! I have tried to get them to sit and do some art with me but they tend to be more drawn to hanging out with their dad in the shed!
They do love to watch my paintings come to life though and do throw requests my way - but these aren’t always marine inspired…sometimes trucks and diggers instead!
What they have done for my art process though that is absolutely invaluable is made me value my time more, they pushed me to paint faster (when you’re working in naptime times to make progress you have to work fast). If I didn’t learn the skill of working faster I don’t think my business could ever have been viable. Thanks boys!
Why is it important to you that your art reflects a sense of mindful connection to nature?
The more that people have a connection to nature, the more inclined they will be to want to help protect it and fight for it. I hope that my art can bring a love and connection of the natural world into people’s homes.
What advice would you give to someone looking to bring more of natures tranquillity into their home through art - where should they start?
Start by choosing something that resonates with you personally, something that you feel a connection to, something that when you look at it, it brings you a sense of calm or joy. For me, looking at marine life brings me to the place of pure tranquillity that one experiences when under the water - if you are a diver then you know the feeling too well I’m sure.
But also, you can never have enough colour and art on your walls and nature in your home! So start anywhere and build from there haha!
If you had to describe your work in three words, what would they be?
Detailed, vibrant, intricate … well I hope that I achieve that in my work!
So, whether you're after some unique art that inspires you, reminds you of your own underwater adventures, or are simply looking for ways to help the conservation of our marine life - go and check out Maddi's work and give her a follow.
Her incredible talents, coupled with authentic and inspiring moments of her personal life, will have you wanting to cover every surface of your home in our diverse and very special marine world.
https://www.madisonmuellerart.com/
https://www.instagram.com/madisonmuellerart/
