What happens when you ask artists a few quick-fire questions about what they drink while creating, what they listen to, when they work best and which materials they couldn't live without? You discover that there is no such thing as a typical artist! We put some of our newer members to the test, asking them about their studio habits, favourite colours and creative approaches. Their answers offer a fun glimpse behind the scenes and reveal some wonderfully individual personalities along the way....

Above: Bonnie Selak has just returned from enjoying a plein air painting session in the hills of Tuscany, Italy There is no single way to become an artist. For some, creativity begins in childhood and never really leaves. For others, it is something rediscovered later in life. Some artists begin with a carefully considered idea; others put their hands to the material and see what happens. Some are drawn to colour, pattern and abstraction, while others find inspiration in the history held...

Above: Alysn in her Tawharanui studio using one of her many 'tools of the trade', her gas element to tarnish and manipulate the metallic fabric used in her creations. There is something quietly fascinating about peering into an artist's studio. We expect to see paint brushes standing in jars, palettes layered with colour and shelves lined with canvases. But look beyond the obvious and you'll often discover the real story isn't about the artwork at all – it's about the unexpected tools that...