Hello ,
Thank you for taking the time to read my biography!
It feels like I have spent a lifetime translating my love for the Australian landscape onto paper, canvas and boards. Encouraged by my parents from the age of five, my artistic journey is driven by the pure, childlike joy of making marks with paint, pencil and ink.
My work reflects my intense love of colour and my chosen medium is watercolour, however I do diversify, using also acrylic paint, pencils and ink. My technique varies a little from traditional watercolour painting, as I like to build up layers of paint, often working with a soft impressionist style for the background then using layers of thicker paint coming forward.
In most recent times I have also added textured natural fibres to my work, creating an almost 3D image.
My work is heavily inspired by my extensive travels throughout Australia- from family adventures to guided tours of working out of Alice Springs in the 1980s.
My passion is capturing the native birds, local wildlife and rustic historical secnes in my paintings. I feel a deep sense of nostalgia and connection to the landscape.
For me, the sounds and sights of Australia are not just there in my mind, they're etched on my heart as well!
A part of myself and my journey goes into every work I create and I love it when others see the beauty of creation through my artwork! The incredible bonus for me as an artist is being able to share my passion with others so they too can experience the joy it brings!
From my home base and studio in Central Victoria, I have a wealth of reference material to work from, from on-site sketches to detailed photographs. I still enjoy immersing myself in nature for that incredible boost for the senses!
During my extensive travels gathering inspiration for my artwork, I also gathered inspiration for songwriting and singing, I often entertained the passengers on our coach and 4-wheel drive tours.
Even though my creative journey encompasses a career in Counrty Music which spanned three decades, from the 1970's to the early 2000's, my heart has always belonged to visual art-painting and drawing remain my first true love!
You can view articles featuring my artworks plus some of my demonstrations in the various magazines from Artist's Palette, Back to Basics, Creative Artist and How to Paint , all published by Woodlands Publishing now available in digital format.
I like to create an atmosphere with each of my artworks, I have many testimonies of how my art has resonated with viewers and has even brought them comfort through difficult times. I beleive my gift is "God given" and I feel priviledged to share it with the world.
When you invest in an "original" artwork to hang on your wall, you're not just hanging up something that looks nice and brightens up the space, you're sharing the artists' life and aknowledging your appreciation of the hours, days, months and even years that have gone in to creating it.
I'm so very grateful for the creative gifts I have been given and even more grateful that I can share them with you!!
AWARDS:
2026: Talent Award Landscape competition, Honourable Mention Landscape competition Teravarna International Juried Art Show
2024: Talent Award Animal competition Teravarna International Juried Art Show
2022-2025: 4 Artistic Excellence Awards Circle Foundation for the Arts International Juried Art competition UK
2002: "Best Painting" In Show Kilmore State Emergency Service Art Show
2001: People's Choice Award (second prize) Kilmore Emergency Service Art Show and Highly Commended Strathfieldsaye Fire Brigade Spring Art Show
1975: "First Prize" Yarrawalla Art Show Victoria
If you are interested in having me design a "Bespoke Commission" I would love to have a conversation with you. You can contact me using the "commissions" section right here on my Bluethumb profile. Once again, "thank you" for your interest in supporting Australian art!
Best wishes, Ellen Lee.