Member : Royal SA Society of Arts, Adelaide Art Society
Exhibitions Australian Guild Realistic Artists, Camberwell Victoria 11th – 26th Feb 2023
RSASA Exhibition “Essence of Place” June-July 2023,,RSASA Winter exhibition August 2023 RSASA Spring exhibition September/ October 2023 Autumn Exhibition 2024
SALA 2023 exhibition Kensington Hotel current
2019 -2024 Victor Harbour Art show; 2022 – Walkerville Art Show; 2010 – Exhibition Rainmoth Gallery Waikerie
Artist Statement
Qualifications
From my earliest memory I have painted my experiences. I grew up in a Riverland country town and my ambition at High School was to further my education. To achieve this I applied and completed teaching qualifications, commencing a long career in education of children, reception to year 12, and as Principal of 3 local Primary Schools. My greatest joy was teaching young children art, as a child’s view and impression of themselves in their world has no boundaries as is their love of fearless expression.
Art Philosophy and Learning
I work from both En plein air, and photos. I complete paintings by commission which are usually a request of particular subjects often photographed. My paintings focus on everyday life , and follow a theme. I have completed a series of en plein air paintings, drawings of harvesting in the Riverland. The genres I have used to complete these studies have been figure drawing, landscape, figures in the landscape, still life, portraiture. I further used my en plein air works to complete studio paintings, exhibiting at AGRA Melbourne. My works are realistic, and En plein air allows me to capture the tone, and chroma as it truly is in my eye rather than the eye of the camera. Learning is fundamental in growth as an artist. My learning has been through the Central School of Art, Artist Colley Whissen and 2020 – 2023 with artist Benedict G Winspear Art Academy. The study of the masters is a vital component in this learning. I have studies the works of John Singer Sargent, Sorolla, Anders Zorn, and closer to home Hans Heysen, and the Impressionists. I have used my learning of history and the masters in employing formal techniques in my work ie Line, shape, texture, value, tone, as well as the importance of drawing. Painting to me is a continual process of refinement, exploration and at times inner struggle.