Dawn
Finding inspiration in nature for her art, Dawn has also being trying abstract. The greatest influence for her art is nature and French Impressionists. Using her favourite medium, watercolour, Dawn said it is so unpredictable in her hands and she has to keep striving to master it. She said half her work is in acrylic which she finds easier to control. A very busy lady, Dawn finds time when she can to paint, whether it is inside or if she’s up for a challenge, plein air. Dawn thinks from the beginning of time man has been creative and it is how he expresses his soul. With intense concentration Dawn loves the escape art gives you and the challenge to get it right. Dawns art skills developed with lessons she had with Darla Boyd and now in retirement painting, especially with watercolour, art is her favourite hobby.
I have been interested in art all my life and have a good knowledge of the masters. I had a couple of dabbles early in life but never settled what with travel and studying. After graduation I did not have the time, but I did learn silver smithing to make many jewellery pieces. I also did lapidary and facetted precious stones. Since moving to my deer farm I now do some sculpture mainly with deer bones, and of course I now paint as well.
Ellen
Ellen has always loved colours and was encouraged by her parents to create from an early age. Ellen’s favourite artist is Rembrandt because of his incredible understanding of light and that his technique was very impressionistic.
With the exception of acrylics, Ellen loves to use all mediums. Ellen is intrigued by figures, both human and animal and this is where her inspiration comes from.
Although Ellen’s creative place is in her sleep, on any sunny day she will try to take the opportunity to get out the brushes and start creating. Ellen thinks artist can encourage society to see the beauty in the natural world and how incredible it is. Hopefully this will lead to society doing more to protect nature and the environment rather than taking it for granted. For Ellen the joy of creating something and that in the moment, time seems to disappear. It counter balances the more mundane aspects of life and provides her with pleasure and joy. With ongoing experimenting, Ellen has had a willingness to keep learning and improve her skills. The work Ellen most enjoys is flipping from discipline of portraiture to the more free style of mixed media and has been a constant hobby of hers since she could hold a pencil.
Ellen, tell us about you.
I am fortunate to look after our property with a menagerie of horses, cattle, chickens, dogs and a cat in the Woodford area while my husband works away from home. I spent most of my working life in senior management roles around Australia and overseas where I had to understand and resolve complex problems. Art has always provided an avenue for using the other side of my brain for balance.
What do you think of WCAG?
It has great potential to provide members of the community with a creative outlet.
Merle
Many things inspire Merle from nature, colour, different modality, workshops and tutors, to name a few. With this inspiration Merle loves painting with oils as it blends beautifully and because drying time takes longer it gives her the time to play with colours and ideas.
Merle gathers her creativeness from nature, books, galleries and friends and finds that when she is relaxed her painting is more spontaneous with a better outcome. Being in the ‘mood’ or seeing something in nature or something beautiful that she would like to share with others or keep as a permanent memory that will last for more than a fleeting moment motivates Merle. Art transports Merle to another space other than everyday activities and she has a little art area in her home so when she is feeling creative she can paint to her hearts content. Merle feels that art is history. ‘Art’, whether a thing of beauty or something thought provoking, can raise your spirits. Merle developed her skills through wonderful people helping her by sharing their skills and experiences and art is her favourite hobby along with gardening.
Merle, tell us about you.
I took up art when I retired and art has given me a new way to look at and appreciate my surroundings.
What do you think of WCAG?
WCAG and its members have been my tutors and my inspiration
John Clark
John Clark was born in Glasgow Scotland in 1945 growing up in a city still recovering from the bombing during World War 2.
He emigrated with his family to Australia in 1960. Educated at Redcliffe State high School and Kedron Park Teachers College before being conscripted into the Army in 1967 during the Vietnam War.
John studied at the Queensland College of Art part time for 6 years while teaching on the Redcliffe Peninsula. Studied with William Robinson, Roy Churcher, Betty Churcher, Neville Matthews and John Rigby. Graduated with honours in Painting, Printmaking and Design in 1976. He later returned to QCA and completed an intensive year of study to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Fine Arts) in 1989. His early paintings often centred around the Redcliffe Peninsula, often reflecting the changing environment around Moreton Bay.
Winner of:
Parliamentary Acquisition Prize;
Schonell Prize;
Warana Blue Skies Art Prize;
Deception Bay Art Prize;
Redcliffe School of Arts Prize.
Last exhibited in the Redcliffe City Art Gallery15 Artists Invitation Exhibition, in 2002.
In 1990 John moved from Redcliffe to the Sunshine Coast hinterland (dropping out of the art scene) to grow, mangoes, wine grapes, breeding racehorses, while teaching at Woodford State School. Art took a back seat although continuing to paint and draw particularly with his classes at school.
“My paintings, drawings and writings today reflect a society in a changing unpredictable and turbulent world. At a local level influenced by Roy Churcher, his enthusiasm and challenging viewpoints motivated his students to draw/think outside the box and, at the age of 19, encouraged to exhibit and pursue my art by William Robinson. At a global level influenced by the works of David Attenborough, Richard Dawkins, HG Wells and the polish Artist Zdzislaw Beksinski.”
Veronica
Veronica was blessed to have a long time Woodford Art Group member, Hazel Nichols as her mother in law. The two had always been close and Veronica, wanting to spend more time with Hazel, followed her to art one day. That was when Veronica’s enjoyment of art began. Veronica is most happy in her art room at home, away from distractions with her acrylics painting her abstracts on any afternoon she doesn’t have to tend to the cattle on the family farm. Mostly finding inspiration from things in her everyday life is what Veronica will paint for relaxation. Watching others paint at the art group and from teachers who regularly attend, Veronica’s skills have sharpened over the years.
Veronica, tell us about you.
I joined art to be with my mum in law Hazel. Just to help her. Ended up playing around with some paint at art then that was it.
What do you think of WCAG?
Love them. It’s like a little family
Lynn
American artist, John Singer Sargent is Lynne’s biggest artist influence. Sargent, having created over 900 oil paintings is probably why Lynne’s favourite medium is oil. Lynne’s favourite place to gather inspiration is from visiting good art galleries and then you will find Lynne outside or in her studio at her favourite time of day, in the morning painting. Lynne thinks art is important to society as it inspires creativity. Being in nature motivates Lynne to create and helps calm the mind. Art is her favourite hobby and through good tuition and self-development Lynne has honed her skills to paint her favourite work, the human form.
Lynne tell us about you
I only started art when I retired 17 years ago
What do you think of WCAG?
Wonderful to be part of a community of likeminded people.
Diane
The two main influences for Diane’s art are Jean Hines and Ross Patterson but there are so many others. Watercolour has its own magic for Diane, the way it flows, mingles and take on its own journey.
Diane gets inspiration from the patterns and colours from nature. Also the many photos she has taken on her overseas trips to Italy, Spain, Vietnam, England, Bali, India, Thailand and many other places also give her inspiration for her creativity. Diane said “Creativeness is extremely important to balance the more academic side of life. To be able to move into the space of imagination and fantasy”, for her it’s a form of meditation and escape from the day to day routine of life. Through practice and workshops Diane’s art has helped define her skills. Sketching is also a joy along with gardening, astrology, her dog, family and friends. Not necessarily in that order.
Diane, tell us about you.
I have been painting on and off for many years. Only since retirement have I taken it up seriously even though it is still a hobby.
What do you think of WCAG
WCAG has come a long way since I have been a member. It’s been good to see the gallery being brought up a modern interesting looking space that we can be proud of. It’s a friendly fun group of people.
Hanna
My first art skill was having lessons to use the paint brush to do folk art and a pencil drawing course.
I love working in the garden growing vegies and looking after animals.
I joined the art group to meet people and learn from the art of other members of WCAG