Abigail Parker:
" I've been a frustrated artist since leaving High School... training, work, family, work, migrating, work... Retiring from full-time work (first teaching, then farming) finally gave me the opportunity to study Art, at TAFE and then through Open University. I'm now developing my belated artistic career, primarily as a painter in watercolours and oils. Living in Albany’s beautiful bio-diversity hot-spot in W.A. has inspired me to combine my two lifelong passions, Nature and Art, into a singular and effective working whole, and this is now gaining me some recognition. I am intensely concerned with highlighting the plight of our increasingly rare and endangered flora and fauna, and my work aims to provoke viewers into taking action to ensure a sustainable, ecologically balanced future for ourselves and our home planet - to break through the inertia, complacency, and overall lack of political will, that is costing us so dearly. " See Abigail's Artist Profile, and on Facebook and her Website |
Deirdre Barrot: New member
Painting has always been a favourite pastime of mine. Some years ago, I completed the Advanced Certificate of Art and Design at Midland Tafe, concentrating on drawing, painting, printmaking and design. After that, I became fully immersed in teaching at Northam so artistic endeavour rather fell by the wayside. However, every January I came down to the Albany Summer School, where I have always done at least one Art class as well as something different such African drumming, photography, singing, tai chi, silk dyeing, cooking and even “Computing for the Terrified”! Since I retired to Albany, I have joined the Albany Art Group and the Little Grove Art Group. Most recently I was pleased to have been invited to join Phoenix Fine Arts in Albany. It’s exciting to work with such a talented and enthusiastic band of artists. In my arts practice my main inspiration has always been Nature – I like to play with line, colour and shape. “Doodling” is good and often the shapes, colours and lines take on a life of their own (which may well end with happy surprises, very different from the original idea). Inspiration also comes from the materials themselves – a new type of ink or paint or pen has to be played with and can often lead to a whole other set of work. I love the way one idea leads to another. It’s great to experiment! |
Dianne Buxton:
Dianne is Suzanne Randall's twin sister - separated for over fifty years, they are now finally back together, and inspiring each others artwork. We just love Dianne's beautiful, elegant compositions and her sense of colour and design. and we hope you enjoy reading what Dianne says about her art and inspirations: "My artistic work began using oils and acrylic mediums, in my early days of painting until l I discovered PRISMACOLOR, which dominates my choice of a medium today. PRISMACOLOUR is a quality wax pencil that blends to create an oil effect - works perfectly for my practice. My painting and drawings are always on acid free quality paper, and sealed for longevity. My interests are competition bowls, gardening and creating artworks. Exhibiting is new to me but a joy to show case my work" |
Helen Heerey:
"My art journey started around 12 years ago when I was drawn to some wonderfully vibrant watercolour paintings by a Perth artist and I was able to join her classes. My first steps into watercolour after a full-time career. With more inspiration from artists in the Watercolour Society of WA my life was taken over by watercolours. Watercolour has now become my passion and my obsession. I love to explore all that the medium offers. Daunting at times but exciting. And more recently exploring using other mediums with my watercolours. I enjoy painting in a loose and atmospheric style then adding detail and my inspiration is our wonderful environment here in Albany. There is nothing much I won’t paint but I am drawn most often to flowers and birds and sometimes our ever-changing seascapes. It can just depend on what colours are on my palette. I love exhibiting my work and sharing the joy of my art." See Helen's Artist Profile |
Leo Birch: New member
Leonard Alfred Birch first began studying Art at the Kondinin Tafe. He participated in many exhibitions in Kondinin, Narrogin and Katanning of Western Australia. Later, after moving to Albany WA, Leo joined the Albany Art Group and participated in the life drawing group, portrait group sessions and various exhibitions. Leo is influenced by the great artists - Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso, Robert Dickerson, Joy Hester and many others. |
Marjan Bakhtiarikish:
"I spent about 4 years in Florence, Italy, studying the Classical techniques of drawing and painting in various academies. I met my wonderful partner Ron Baker in Florence, and I feel fortunate to be part of the rich artistic scene in Albany! I enjoy sharing my passion for the beauty of Classical art with contemporary audiences. I am honoured to have won the major 2D award with my painting "Hope" at the Du Rietz Art Awards, QLD and become a finalist in the major Jacaranda drawing prize in 2020. I have interest in a variety of genres with particular emphasis on portrait, figure and floral oil paintings." Marjan also runs the Life Drawing and Portrait groups for the Albany Art Group, at the Vancouver Arts Centre Albany, and is a major part of the AAG exhibitions team. See Marjan's Artist Profile, and on Facebook and Instagram |
Ron Baker:
"I spent 4 years in Florence, Italy, studying Classical techniques of drawing & painting and through my training I am committed to working from life, which requires many hours of observation, which gives the fascination & possibilities of still life. Intertwined with this, drawing upon the tradition of still life inspires & informs my vision. In creating a timeless sense of beauty, I draw upon historical references, imagination and memory. This has driven my commitment and passion to continue to develop my skills in classical realism; where light and form combine to give the delightful illusion and allurement of still life" See Ron's Artist Profile, and on Facebook |
Roger Mills: New member
I have been painting on and off, more off, due to extensive travel for at least half a century, on my travels I have enjoyed much art diversity due to various cultures and draw on these to enhance my particular work. I paint in a number of mediums from acrylic to oil pastels and have a liking for mixed media. Art history and current news events is of particular interest to me in support of what I undertake. Locally I have exhibited on numerous occasions and try and create works that resonate with me, but then have potentially the same effect on the numerous viewers to create visual connections. As you will note from my work here I do not have a particular style but rely more on the feel of the day when paint touches the canvas. Joining the Phoenix Fine Arts group in Albany has also been of great benefit, and will further expand my potential direction for future work by additionally working with creative and supportive artists. |
Suzanne Randall:
"My interest in art began as a student at school, art class was my favourite! However, my interest was interrupted with marriage and starting a family, life became busy. Later on when my three lovely daughter left to follow their dreams and begin their own lives, I had the time to pursue my interest in art. Attending art workshops on my days off from a nursing career, allowed me to understand the media and techniques and how to apply them. Oils, acrylics and pastel were the first media I experimented with. Once I retired from nursing, I joined the Albany Art Group at the Vancouver Art Centre. It took a while to develop my own style but experimenting with different media and adapting the techniques I had learnt from workshops, helped me a lot. Watercolours was the most challenging of all the mediums, it took patience and determination to succeed. You never stop learning with Art practice. Every time you pick up a brush or a pencil and apply them to a canvas or paper you discover something new. Often your mind takes over and you find yourself trialing a new technique. Art is a relaxing pursuit for me. Inspiration of subjects are gathered continuously through travels, photos and love of our fauna and flora. There is an abundance of subjects out there." See Suzanne's Artist Profile |