From her Newcastle studio, abstract painter Ree Hodges lets colour, instinct and the natural world lead the way, with a Burnt Mulberry Koala Paddo Sofa Bed offering a place to pause.
Photos KATIE WADE
Newcastle-based artist Ree Hodges in her studio with her Koala Paddo Sofa Bed in Burnt Mulberry.
Ree Hodges works with oil sticks to build layers of rich, earthy colour.
Ree Hodges sketches on her Koala Paddo Sofa Bed in Burnt Mulberry, with her dogs Louie and Ari.
“I wanted to create a space that felt comfortable and inviting, while still being somewhere I could feel inspired and creative – the Paddo fits in so beautifully and has brought a lovely sense of warmth to the studio.”
The Koala Paddo Sofa Bed and Ottoman in Burnt Mulberry bring warmth to Ree Hodges’ studio.
‘Nature has a way of making you slow down and notice the little things, whether it's the colours or the movement… those moments often find their way into my work without me even realising it.’
Soft pinks, ochres and earthy tones run through the paintings of Ree Hodges.
The Koala Paddo Sofa Bed rolls out in moments, turning from sofa to daybed, chaise or bed.
‘I love that no two days in the studio are ever quite the same. There's something really exciting about experimenting and discovering something unexpected along the way.’
Mood boards and Australian natives fill a corner of Ree Hodges’ studio, where images, colours and textures spark new ideas.
Made for life in a working studio, the Koala Paddo Sofa Bed has removable covers that go straight in the wash.
In a studio where paint finds its way onto everything, the Koala Paddo Ottoman is made to be used. ‘I love that I don’t have to be too precious about it.’
With a Koala Paddo Sofa Bed at the heart of the space, Ree Hodges’ studio is as inviting as the paintings that fill it, layered in rich, earthy tones and inspired by birdlife and a lifelong love of the water.
Having grown up by the beach and Lake Macquarie, Ree finds that moments spent outdoors often make their way onto the canvas before she even realises it.
‘I think I’ve always been drawn to abstract art because of the freedom it allows. I love that there are no real rules or expectations, and I can express something without it needing to represent anything in particular,’ she shares.
Lately, Ree has been bringing more oil sticks and mixed media into her practice. ‘Being able to draw directly onto the canvas, make marks, scrape things back and build up different layers brings another level of texture and movement.’
Stepping back matters as much as the hours at the canvas. ‘When I’m painting, I can get so caught up in the details that I need to physically step away and look at the work from a different perspective.’
Those pauses now happen on the Koala Paddo Sofa Bed and Ottoman, dressed in Burnt Mulberry. ‘Burnt Mulberry is such a me colour! I’ve always been drawn to those rich, earthy, slightly unexpected tones, so it felt like a really natural choice for my studio.’
Shared with her dogs, Louie and Ari, and plenty of paint, the studio is a working space first, and after a messy day the Paddo’s covers simply come off and go into the wash. ‘Having removable, washable covers means I can actually relax and enjoy the space rather than worrying about keeping everything spotless.’
‘Creativity doesn’t always happen when you’re standing in front of a canvas. Sometimes it’s when you’re sitting back, listening to music, looking through inspiration or simply giving yourself some space to think.’
After a slower year following burnout, Ree is reconnecting with what she loves about painting. She is working on new designs for her collaboration with The Dairy, alongside a new collection of paintings she hopes to release soon.
Shop the Paddo Sofa Bed by Koala here.
To stay up to date with Ree’s work, visit her website or follow @ree_hodges_art on Instagram.
