Russell, Working on a Dream

This work will be on display at the Bluethumb Gallery in Richmond, Melbourne for the 2023 Bluethumb Art Prize Finalists Exhibition from October 11th to November 27th. Delivery of this work will take place following the 2023 Bluethumb Art Prize Awards Night on October 26th.

A portrait of fellow artist Russell Austin in his studio surrounded by the objects that he loves and finds inspiring. He is very comfortable in his favourite chair and ready to begin painting. The sun lights up his studio space. Russell is colourful and charismatic, he is well known for his surrealist paintings, as well as teaching art and commercial mural painting. I wanted to paint Russell to allow the viewer a glimpse into the artist's studio and his world. Russell was working on some commissions at the time, and I have included them in this portrait. There is no better place for an artist than their studio, it is a place where creativity takes place, and the rest of the world doesn't exist. The painting is colourful and the feeling of light filtering through the window makes the painting bright and uplifting. I was able to capture fine details and broad colourful areas using oil paint because it is so versatile to paint with, it allows me to capture the various textures that are found throughout the room. The overall feeling of the painting is contentment and joy in doing what you love.

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Helen Mortimer
Helen was born in Wahroonga NSW, after living in the picturesque Blue Mountains Helen’s family moved to the Central Coast when she was 8 years old. She has continued to live on the Coast as she enjoys the relaxed lifestyle and the natural beauty of the Central Coast region. Helen attended Newcastle College of Advanced Education and gained a Diploma of Art in 1980. In 1993 she returned to Newcastle University and completed a Bachelor of Art Visual Arts. Helen is a member of The Art Studios Cooperative which was originally situated at North Gosford and now at Ettalong Beach as The Bay Gallery. As a member of an arts cooperative it has inspired Helen to become involved in community arts projects as well as exhibitions on the Central Coast and Newcastle. Helen also participates in exhibitions at The Bay Gallery. Helen also exhibits with the Art In Sync group, which she has been a member of since 2007. The Art In Sync Group hold regular exhibitions in Newcastle and on the Central Coast.
Helen paints in oils and aims to capture the mood of her subjects, her work involves a combination of realism and areas of atmospheric colour that is achieved through blending the paint. Subject matters vary but there is always a message behind the work. Helen’s paintings often cause an emotional response from the viewer which Helen says is the greatest achievement.