Deanne Newland is an award-winning artist based in Lake Macquarie, renowned for her evocative interpretations of the natural landscape. Working primarily with acrylics, oils, and inks, her art captures the essence of Australian flora, light, and environment through a deeply intuitive process.
Deanne began her professional art career in 2008 after relocating from Coledale to Swansea Heads. There, she founded The Artistic Soul Studio, following an 18-year tenure as a high school visual arts teacher. Her work is a reflection of her surroundings, often evolving organically rather than from photographic references, relying instead on memory and emotional connection to place.
Swansea Heads—where bushland meets the sea and channel—is both her home and a continual source of inspiration. The area’s intricate network of bush tracks, leading to hidden bays, beaches, and dramatic headlands, is a recurring motif in her work.
A lifelong Lake Macquarie resident, Deanne formally studied art in Newcastle, earning a Certificate of Art and Design, a Bachelor of Visual Arts, and a Diploma of Education in 1991. Her artworks are held in private collections both in Australia and internationally.
In addition to her studio practice, Deanne has facilitated numerous art workshops, led overseas artist retreats, and participated in a wide range of group and solo exhibitions. She is an active member of the vibrant Newcastle and Lake Macquarie artist communities.
Her practice spans multiple mediums including ink, acrylic, oil, mixed media, watercolour, ceramics, and photography. Her ink and watercolour works combine loose washes with intricate line work, while her coastal oil paintings are known for their rich texture and dynamic palette knife application. In acrylic pieces, she builds layers to create depth and atmosphere. Across all media, her enduring passion for trees and coastal scenes has remained a central theme for over 15 years.