10 Local Canberra Artists You Should Know
Canberra’s current claim as Australia’s coolest city may be met with some hot contesting, but its up-and-coming status stands on plenty of grounds. As the country’s capital – surprising though that nugget of knowledge may be to tourists – Canberra is affectionately known for its sweeping nature reserves and mountain ranges surrounding the city. While our Melbourne team might disagree, Canberra’s art and culture scene is growingly named ‘incomparable’. Naturally, if you’re looking for a local Canberra artist, you’ll have your fair pick. Here are ten of our top Canberra artists making names for themselves due to their established footing, collectable reputation, and emerging talent.
1. Sophie Lawrence: Bluethumb’s Number One Bestselling Artist
A few works are in the queue to be framed and shipped from Sophie Lawrence’s home in Canberra.
Any frequent collectors of Bluethumb will be familiar with Sophie Lawrence’s work. As our bestselling artist, this local Canberra artist has explored various subjects within her signature style. Her large-scale paintings are bold and vibrant pieces, displaying abstraction and pops of colour. Sophie Lawrence’s work is described as an ‘intoxicating kaleidoscope of colour and energy’; she has quickly become a favourite with Australia’s collectors since joining the platform in January 2019.
Sophie’s development in style leads to new territories of subject matter and form, as we see in this original work, Cape Cod. Click the image to shop!
2. Susan Trudinger: A Longstanding Landscape Artist
Fellow Canberra Artist Valentyna Crane describes Susan as “a talented and gifted artist… she inspires me with her work every day”. Click here to read more about Susan’s success story.
One of Bluethumb’s most successful landscape artists, Susan Trudinger, paints vivid, high-spirited landscapes that emphasise the incredible colours and shapes found in the natural world. Her abstract approach to various scenes offers viewers a new perspective on traditional settings. Many years and life experiences, including parenthood, career changes and travelling through the Middle East, have influenced Susan’s work. During these travels, Susan was “in awe of the landscape, the culture and the fine intricate designs on mosques and other buildings”.
The Orchard with Cow is an original impressionist artwork by Canberra artist Susan Trudinger inspired by the rural Australian countryside.
3. Sally Dunbar: A Local Canberra Artist Making Naive Magic
There are so many patterns! Sally Dunbar at the canvas.
With an impressive array of exhibitions, Sally Dunbar has gained popularity since joining Bluethumb in 2017. She currently lives and works in Canberra and sees art as a sustaining part of her life. Her two-dimensional characters range from Australia’s native animals to classic pet friends at home. Sally’s simplified approach to the canvas provides a sense of candour and ease, much like naïve art so often does.
Australia’s native bird life is the merriest subject for Sally Dunbar’s style. Shop Rosella Couple and more glorious patterned statement art online today!
4. Alicia Gilchrist
Alicia Gilchrist is an Australian artist who calls Canberra home alongside her husband and four children. Known for her dynamic abstract compositions, Alicia’s artworks are a celebration of colour and emotion. Her paintings, characterized by their bold hues and energetic brushwork, aim to evoke deep emotional responses and captivate viewers. Alicia’s art resonates with collectors seeking pieces that not only adorn their spaces but also ignite conversations and imbue homes with warmth and personality.
Every wall deserves a little eye candy! Shop Fire And Ice by Alicia Gilchrist and add a touch of intrigue to your home today.
5. Jan Matson: A Favourite of Fun
Meet local Canberra artist Jan!
Oil painter Jan Matson boasts a portfolio of varied subject matter. From fun beach paintings and peaceful ocean views to floral still life and cheeky birds, her bright and saturated colour palette creates a slightly surreal touch to her work. Much of Jan’s painting aims to convey the emotions of our memories spent in her place of choice.
Unique and quickly recognisable, Jan Matson’s art can sometimes appear almost iridescent. Click the image to shop her original painting, An Australian Landscape.
6. Sharon Rynehart: An Impressive Impressionist
Canberra Artist Sharon Rynehart wields her palette knife to create stunning impressionist landscapes.
Sharon Rynehart, a seasoned Designer and Colour Consultant with over 20 years in the Interiors industry, rediscovered her love for painting after facing health issues. Using art as therapy, she has been inseparable from her palette knife since. Sharon draws inspiration from the natural beauty surrounding her Canberra home, including the Brindabella ranges, nearby nature reserves, and the South Coast’s headlands and shorelines.
Long Live, an original abstract seascape by Canberra Artist Sharon Rynehart, is rich with texture. Click the image to shop!
7. Amanda Rubenstein: Citrus Still Life Extrodinare
Original artwork by Canberra Artist Amanda Rubenstein, ready to find their forever homes.
Amanda Rubenstein is a full-time artist based in Canberra with a versatile portfolio that includes abstract works. Recently, she has developed a keen interest in still life, particularly focusing on painting fruit and vegetables. Chosen for their vibrant colours and distinctive shapes, Amanda’s subjects come to life through her use of bright colours, sharp lines, and the interplay of light and shadows to create striking contrasts. She often incorporates folded cloth into her compositions, adding a sense of movement and vitality to the scenes.
Lemons regularly feature in Amanda’s still life artworks due to their striking vibrancy and availability. Click the image to shop Lemon Tree #14.
8. Kayannie Denigan: Bright, Cultural Canvases
Canberra Artist Kayannie Denigan is surrounded by bright contemporary Indigenous creations in her studio.
Kayannie Denigan is an Indigenous artist based in Canberra. Connected to Iltjitjari and Unturu in Central Australia through her grandmother and great-grandmother and to the Bagarrmuguwarra, Guugu Yimithirr, and Kuku Yalanji people through her Nganjan (adopted father), Kayannie maintains strong ties to the country and communities of Hope Vale and Wujal Wujal. She works primarily in acrylic on canvas, combining the iconic dots and symbols of Central Desert art with the vibrant colours and stories of Cape York. Her bold and bright works express her connection to people and country, blending tradition with personal experience.
Kayannie’s original artworks are vibrant expressions of her connection to people and country. Click the image to shop My Country Mini #3.
9. Victoria Collins: Creating Bushland Brilliance
When she’s not creating in Plein Air, Canberra Artist Victoria Collins is busy bringing scenes to life in her studio.
Victoria Collins is a full-time artist based in Canberra who specialises in capturing the Australian wilderness. Her works, depicting forest understorey and secret riverbanks, invite viewers to lean in and listen. Using oil paint and multimedia, she creates harmonious and luminous scenes with layers, organic mark-making, and impressionistic flecks of colour. Victoria’s contemporary landscapes, from miniature to large scale, are perfect for modern homes with earthy interior styles.
Victoria’s artworks are a dream-like vision of Australia’s vast bushland. Shop Australian Autumn 2 by clicking the image above!
10. Valentyna Crane: An Artist Rich in Vibrancy
Valentyna Crane works on the mesmerising light that’s ever-present throughout her pieces.
Light, movement, and colour are all prime decisive factors in Valentyna’s contemporary impressionist landscapes. Committed to fostering an atmosphere throughout her work, Valentyna Crane comes from a classical artistic background and uses her deep knowledge of art history to permeate her art. This creates a strong sense of freedom and vibrancy and carries the crispness of Canberra air.
With solid contrasts and sweeping Impressionistic brushstrokes, Valentyna paints with an uncanny familiarity with Australia’s awe-inspiring landscapes.
Looking for Another Local Canberra Artist?
The ten artists you’ll find above are by no means a definitive list. Discover our complete list of artists creating in the country’s capital by clicking here.
What a diverse array of brilliance representing what artists of our Capital city have to offer.
From the simplest still life to intricate landscape paintings, they take the viewer through colour , design and technique to a place of peace and connection with the world around us. To be enjoyed over and over.
Fabulous work
Outstanding work by some talented sisters of art.I enjoy the passion and the hues that each artist expresses by their God given gifts and the window of opportunity Bluethumb provides.I wish I had an organization in Dallas Texas that offered what you have.
You’re in luck! Bluethumb just launched in the USA, go to http://www.bluethumbart.com to buy original art by local American Artists.
I was surprised to see that Benjamin Shine’s name wasn’t here. He recently exhibited at Grainger gallery Fyshwick. A marvellous artist. He does lots if different art types but his tulle portraits are wonderful.
Hi Beverley,
This is within Bluethumb’s Canberra artists 🙂 Benjamin Shine is not with Bluethumb – yet. Haha!
Grace @ Bluethumb
I would love to see more large pieces, been looking for some large pieces for my home for so long. Many pieces are 40 or 50cm its just not big enough. Art walls are great but hero pieces that make the room are hard to come by.
Hi Vanessa,
You’re in luck! Bluethumb offers a free Art Advisory service to help you find the perfect large-scale artwork to suit your space.
Simply go to https://bluethumb.com.au/interior-design/art-advisory submit a request and our friendly team will get back to you with a personalised curation to suit your taste and size preferences.
Happy collecting!
Eden @ Bluethumb
Hi Vanessa,
Many of my paintings are 121x183cm and I also do commissions if you can’t find what you’re looking for ☺️
Happy art hunting!
Alicia ☺️