Artists

Anne Abley is a talented pet portrait artist celebrated for her detailed and lifelike drawings of beloved pets. Based in Melbourne, Anne is an emerging self-taught artist whose lifelong passion for dogs and cats fuels her creative process. Her work beautifully captures the unique character and essence of each pet she portrays. Anne's artistic journey began with graphite, progressed to colour pencils, and she now enjoys working with pastels. Her versatility and skill in various mediums have earned her recognition and admiration in the art community. In 2023, Anne won the People's Choice Award at the Hughesdale Art Group Art Show for her charming drawing of a scruffy dog titled "Would you like your slippers." This accolade highlights her ability to connect with audiences and bring joy through her art.

Artist Biography Sarah Ackland is an Australian artist who currently works primarily in graphite, but also has a love for watercolour. She enjoys working tonally in graphite and seeing the results that come from working in the medium. Having grown up on a farm in the Western District of Victoria she has had a love for the Australian landscape and nature from an early age. Whether it was helping her Mother in the garden or her Father out on the farm, it was there the seeds of her inspiration were sown. With an interest in bush scenes, landscape, botanical and beachscapes, she is constantly inspired by the Australian landscape, the plant life and its rugged beauty. Her aim is to convey that beauty onto the paper and have people amazed by it. Whilst mostly self-taught she has studied under Australian artist Julian Bruere. She has found his detailed Australian snowgum scenes and landscapes to be inspiring and aims to reach that sensitivity in her artwork. Other influences are Albrecht Dürer and Hans Heyson to name a few. Sarah has work in private collections throughout Melbourne and country Victoria. She has exhibited in group exhibitions and participated in Rotary Art Shows throughout Melbourne and surrounding areas. In 2019 she won her first award in the Warrandyte Rotary Art Show as Emerging Artist and in 2023 she won Highly Commended awards in the Summer and Spring Exhibitions and a Curators award in the Winter Show at the Victorian Artist Society. Currently she is based in Melbourne where she lives with her Husband and works from home in her studio. Artist Statement My artwork is inspired by things I love, places I've been to and things that mean a lot to me. My aim is to convey the beauty of the world that I see around me onto paper and have people amazed by it. My goal is to have my artwork resonate with the viewer. I also love to give people the opportunity to have happy memories, with the hope of my artwork being a trigger of fond memories of times past. Currently I am enjoying the simplicity of working in graphite and pushing the boundaries of it and my boundaries as an artist and seeing where the adventure leads me.

NAME Patricia Agatanovic Retired 2021 and lives in Melbourne with husband. They have two grown sons CONTACT DETAILS 0433 904 098 BORN Grottammare, Italy ART EDUCATION Studied botanical art for nine years with Jenny Phillips PUBLICATIONS Contributed to National Trust of Australia’s 2001 and 2003 Diaries EXHIBITIONS & SALES Exhibited/Sold at: Camberwell Art Show, Vic Jenny Phillips Botanical Art School, Vic Malvern Artist Society, Vic St Kevins College, Vic COMMISSIONS Friends and family

I am a Melbourne-based artist trained in Painting and Printmaking at Monash University. My practice has long been anchored in the language of flowers as companions in understanding the shifting, cyclical nature of being a woman. Their colour, fragility and brief, brilliant lives echo the inner seasons I, myself, move through - the expansions, the shedding, the quiet renewals and returns. I am especially drawn to fully blown flowers for their unapologetic honesty; having lived a full life, now past their prime, they still have so much beauty and wisdom to offer. My process is instinctive and deeply embodied. I dance while I paint to music, letting rhythm dissolve thought so intuition can take the lead. In that state, I’m not recording flowers so much as entering into dialogue with them. Colour becomes a way of feeling, gesture becomes a kind of remembering and the canvas becomes a place where the hidden, unguarded parts of myself can surface. Painting allows me to hold what is fleeting — tenderness, courage, joy, grief, self-acceptance — long enough to understand it. A recent period spent in the country marked a turning point in my work. Surrounded by spring gardens and working in a makeshift studio, I found myself surrendering to a new freedom. Conducting my way across the canvas to Mozart’s Requiem and Keith Jarrett’s Köln Concert, I let go of the structures I once relied on and trusted the wildness of the mark. Every stroke felt essential: too few and the painting fell apart, too many and the balance dissolved. This tension between precision and abandon has become the heartbeat of my current practice. My large-scale works are energetic, expressive and alive. The floral form remains, but it stretches and reforms into a vocab describing a kind of self-portrait, not of likeness but of experience: the softness and strength of womanhood, the undoing and the reclamation, the wildness and the grounded acceptance of self.

Akemi Anderson is a Japanese visual artist based in Melbourne, Australia. Born into a Shinto shrine family in Tokyo, she deeply resonates with teachings that value harmony with nature—a philosophy that remains the heartbeat of her creative practice. After graduating from Joshibi University of Art and Design in 1994, Akemi spent over two decades as a creative designer and art director in the global hubs of Tokyo, Munich, and Alsace. While building a successful career in design, she nurtured a lifelong dream of becoming a full-time artist. At the age of 51, she made the life-changing decision to fully embrace this passion, proving that it is never too late to embark on a new chapter. Her work is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a sophisticated use of materials, including acrylics, oils, ink, and traditional gold leaf. Having grown up in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, she is particularly captivated by the serene and magnificent nature of Australia. Through her art, she seeks to radiate peace, joy, and energy, evoking the calm of a serene garden. Her practice also explores the profound influence that environment and nature have on our lives, offering a sense of hope and a positive presence to any space.

Art is the best way of expressing my reaction to what life throws at me. I can say things with color and shapes that I have no words for. I love painting" En Plein Air",being out in the elements always thrills and engages me to paint usually in oils. Although I also love to draw. Working in oils allows me to project emotions onto the canvas in a way that I find satisfying . No matter what medium I use I always let the passage of time dictate the direction of each piece.Its important to express myself and color is the language I use.

Emerging artist, began my journey nearly half a century ago at school in Geelong. Even though I never stopped drawing or doodling, I never seemed to find the time to do more. In 2018 after an illness, I was able to return to something I had regretfully abandoned in my youth. I found all my old material and replaced most that was beyond use and began the painting of things from either photos taken or memories of things I had witnessed in my life currently, most of my work has been of around Hobsons Bay or of the coastal parts of Victoria.

Hazel Anthony was born in a tiny village in the Highlands of Scotland. She is primarily self-taught and enjoys painting anything to do with nature. Hazel loves variety and her subject matter constantly changes. She paints in her home studio, working mostly in acrylics. Group Art Exhibitions: Camberwell Rotary Art Show Camberwell, Vic. Knox Art Show, Vic. Bayswater Art Show Bayswater, Vic. My contact details are: Hazel Anthony Po Box 4489 Langwarrin Victoria 3910 Ph: 0481269998 E: hazelanthony2@gmail.com

Hayley Ashe is an emerging young artist from the Mornington peninsula.  Drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of her surroundings, her pieces evoke a sense of tranquility and nostalgia, inviting the viewer to be immersed in the story of the painting. She specialises in vibrant acrylics that explore the landmarks of Melbourne, the Mornington a peninsula and Bayside areas.  She has exhibited and sold her works at markets, art shows and stores in Bonbeach and Sorrento and Portsea and has been received with profound positivity and enthusiasm. Hayley was also on the cover of “Peninsula Essence” February 2025 edition for her art.

I am an emerging Artist based in Melbourne but originally from Brisbane. I have always loved art and after majoring in Art History at Queensland University worked professionally as a Props Maker/Assistant Stage Manager for Theatre and Opera in Brisbane and Melbourne. After many years of raising a family and working in Health, Administration and Education I now have the opportunity to once again focus on developing my Artistic passion. I am particularly interested in portraits, street scenes and capturing ‘alternative Perspectives’. Currently, I am working more in realism and taking my own reference photos. My aim is to capture movement, light and the personality of people and places.

Mark Bagally is a passionate representational landscape and marine painter from the Surfcoast of Victoria, Australia. He works in both watercolour and oil. Although Mark enjoys working “in studio”, his real passion is painting outdoors from life. He has travelled quite extensively throughout the country in pursuit of this passion, drawing much inspiration for marine paintings from the Great Ocean Road, which is on the doorstep of where he lives. He regularly travels throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania painting and gathering reference material for rural landscape works which are his preference to paint. Enjoying the challenge of creating a believable impression of a scene, he is inspired by renowned past and present Australian landscape impressionists, several of whom he has had the pleasure of being tutored by over the years at various advanced workshops. Mark believes the key to his progression has been lots of practice (brush miles) and a disciplined and quite intensive self-education regime. Mark has held highly successful solo exhibitions and is affiliated with several art societies, including current Fellow and former President of the Victorian Artists Society (VAS); former National Vice President and exhibiting member of the Australian Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) and founder and exhibiting artist with the Brandon Circle Melbourne.

• 1965, Born in Zahle, Bekaa, Lebanon. • 1988 Arrived in Sydney, Australia. • 1991 moved to Melbourne, Australia. • 2007-2008 Diploma of Visual Arts, NMIT Preston, Melbourne. • 1988 Part-time Visual Art course at Royal Art Society of NSW. • 1986 Visual Arts study, one year of full time private tuition in Lebanon

Lynn Banna is a Melbourne-based artist specialising in watercolour impressionism, representational painting, and acrylic media. A retired consultant Paediatrician with a Diploma of Art Therapy from La Trobe University, Lynn’s work is deeply informed by the connection between creativity and wellbeing—a philosophy she has also shared as a tutor at U3A Melbourne City. Her formal training includes studies at Newcastle TAFE Art School, Stanford University coursework, and masterclasses with leading Australian watercolorists. An exhibiting member of the Victorian Artists Society, the Watercolour Society of Victoria, the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors, and recently joined Malvern Artist society . Lynn exhibits her work across other platforms, including the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show, Contemporary A4 Art exhibition and the Camberwell Art Show.

Maria Barbaro Is a practising artist /print maker based in Melbourne. After graduating from RMIT with a diploma of fashion design, Maria spent most of her career in full time design , later as freelancing fashion illustrator. Freelancing allowed time to her painting practice choosing acrylic as the preferred medium, at times incorporating pencil or scratching fine lines into the surface .Layering colours often rubbing back allowing light to filter through the canvas. Inspired by her urban surroundings and rural landscapes Maria seeks reasons for the particular scenes that find their way onto her canvases.It it these personal discoveries and memories that give constant direction to her atmospheric paintings. Maria exhibits regularly in group exhibitions most recently a finalist in the St Kevin's Art Prize. Editions exhibition at Tacit Gallery, My Still Life at No Vacancy Gallery , Animalia at Off The Kerb Gallery , Urban Spaces at Steps Gallery in Carlton. Solo exhibition at the Darebin Arts And Entertainment Centre, and yearly at Dench Bakers Fitzroy. Collections include the Whittlesea Cultural Collection and Whittlesea City Council Collection.

After completing a Diploma in Visual Arts, I have been actively exhibiting my work in Melbourne and its suburbs. I have an interest in depicting iconic scenes of Melbourne, its flora and in particular people going about their everyday life. Using oil, watercolour, ink and lino cut prints I enjoy depicting the images as I see them in real life.

Mike's dreamy beachscapes and rainy cityscapes are inspired by real life and painted to inspire the souls of those who look at them. Collections: Burniside City Council, Campbelltown City Council, Clare & Gilbert Valley Council, Light Regional Council, Town of Gawler Council, City of Victor Harbor Media Complete Watercolour – David WebbWhat an honour to be in the same book as artists like Dusan Djukaric, Chein Chung Wei, John Lovett, Thomas W. Schaller and many more. I have a four-page spread in chapter 5 Approaches to Watercolour - keeping it simple. The Art of Being Melbourne – Maree Coote - 2012A history of Melbourne as seen through its artists. My six-page spread of rainy Melbourne streets stands alongside other Australian greats such as Streeton, Roberts, Smart, Beckett, Blackman, Brack, Tucker, Amor and many others.www.melbournestyle.com.au/TheARTofBEINGMELBOURNEbook.html Medical Journal of Australia. Article on benefits of art in waiting rooms https://www.mja.com.au/system/files/issues/189.../bar11144_fm.pdf Surf Collection (two pages) by French surfing guru, Gerard Decoster - France Regular feature writer and monthly columnist for the Australian Artist magazine Articles in the The Artist (UK magazine) Acrylic Artist and Plein Air Magazine (US) TV Segment on Discover – Channel 7 July 2008 Prizes over 80 awards in Australia and overseas in the last 18 years including: The Corporate Award - Victor Harbor Rotary Art Show 2016 Platinum Award - Victor Harbor Rotary Art Show 2021 20 Best in Shows, 10 People’s Choices and 24 Best in Category awards. Invited by Art Gallery of South Australia to do a demonstration painting session in support of the Clarice Beckett exhibition - 2021 Mike Barr FRSASA (Fellow of the Royal South Australian Society of Arts)

Jenine's artistic journey began with the graceful strokes of oils and it wasn't long before she ventured into the captivating world of pastels. After sometime away Jenine's enduring love for oils led her to embrace them once again. Her artwork is a story told in vivid colourful chapters, from evocative portraits, to the powerful presence of trains, the serenity of landscapes to the captivating allure of seascapes, her canvas comes alive with a plethora of animals and birds. The Australian landscape, with its breathtaking beauty, has always held a special place in her heart and her art lovingly reflects this enduring affection. Her versatility and skill have enabled her to explore a multitude of themes and subjects each with a unique tale to tell. However it's in the realm of wildlife art, particularly Australian birdlife, that her heart finds its truest expression, capturing the untamed beauty of the natural world. 

As a local hobby artist being able to share my works is fabulous. Having time to focus on my art  in a very hectic life is my therapy. My style is fine line drawing in graphite and coloured pencil  mainly of wild life and fauna which allows me to do what I love , detail, realistic and style. 

With roots in country Victoria, Tina Bennett has spent much of her life living and working around Geelong and the Surf Coast. After studying Art and Design with a focus on Fine Art at University, she returned to painting once her children had grown, finding a deep connection to the quiet, contemplative world of still life. Tina works primarily in oils, finding joy in arranging objects to tell stories, evoke nostalgia, and breathe new life into overlooked treasures. Blue-and-white china, an enduring influence passed down by her mother, features prominently in her work, alongside a growing fascination with reflections, texture, and light. Her paintings explore beauty found in the everyday, balancing careful observation with emotional warmth. Tina views her practice as an ongoing journey of curiosity, learning, and creative exploration. Since recommencing her painting practice, Tina has exhibited widely in Geelong and Melbourne and expanded interstate to Orange, Brisbane and Toowoomba in 2025/26. She held her first solo exhibition in Geelong in 2024, presenting a body of still-life works focused on reflection, texture and luminosity.

Katrina Benson has been a Melbourne-based artist and educator for over 25 years. She began her career in Western Australia, living in Fremantle before moving to Sydney and later settling in Melbourne, where she has lived for the past 20 years. She works across both art and design education with a strong focus on architecture and photography. Alongside her teaching practice, she has maintained an active studio practice and has exhibited widely in group and solo exhibitions, with representation and exhibition history in both Western Australia and Melbourne. Her dual engagement with teaching and art making has informed a sustained interest in process, critical thinking, and contemporary approaches to visual practice. Katrina’s current painting practice is centred on abstract oil painting, developed through a process-led approach that privileges material exploration and response over predetermined imagery. Works evolve through layers of painting, scraping back, reworking, and rebuilding, allowing images to emerge gradually through accumulation and removal. This method reflects an ongoing interest in surface, gesture, and the tension between control and accident, where each work becomes a record of decisions made in response to the painting as it unfolds. Her work now draws on the spaces around her, particularly architectural structures across inner Melbourne from her studio in Richmond, to the wetlands throughout Melbourne’s east.

Cathie is an established Realist Artist with over forty years’ experience. Cathie is a Multi Award Winning Artist. Always continuing to learn and challenge herself, Cathie has studied Life Drawing, Portraiture, Landscape Painting using a variety of mediums. Cathie loves the way, light, colour and the use of a simple line, all tell a story of her Artwork. Cathie has embraced her creativity which has resulted in a challenging and rewarding career.

Where logical precision meets creative soul: a restless achiever dedicated to outevolving the status quo through rapid, purposeful innovation.

Fiona received the Gordon Moffat Award in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Fiona has work in private collections in France, Italy, Spain, England, Scotland and throughout Australia. STUDIES 1990 Bachelor of Education, fine arts, Melbourne University. 1989-1990 Private tuition with John Balmain 1996-1997 Extensive art study tour in Europe EXHIBITIONS 1993 Quaison’s Mornington 1994 Nickelby’s Carlton 1998 Delshan Armadale 2001 Victorian Artists Society Galleries Melbourne Jenny Pihan Fine Art Hampton White Hill Gallery Dromana 2016 Woman painting Woman Barinja Art Gallery Upwey Salon Des Refuses Mornington Regional Gallery 2016 Twenty Melbourne Painters Society Glen Eira ACTIVITIES My teaching and painting careers have merged since graduation from university in 1990 I was awarded the Alice Bale scholarship valued at $30,000 in 1995 followed by 18 months in Europe studying classical portraiture and still life, being greatly influenced by master painters of Britain and Spain. I love teaching to students, beginners and advanced any medium but the rules of casual observation and order of visual importance dominate my teaching methods. I encourage my students to work from life, exhibit, study the Master Painters and take themselves seriously. BIBLIOGRAPHY Australian Artist Magazine 1996 June Pastels 1999 June Pastels 1997 January “travels with my aunt” 2001 January Still Life 2010 April Making Every Brush Stroke Count 2017 July Masters of Melbourne Pt 1 AWARDS 1995 Alice Bale traveling Scholarship ($30,000) 2011 “A Tribute to Buvelot” Dromana ($10,000) 2016 Membership to the 20 Melbourne Painters Society.

I am a self-taught artist, drawing inspiration from my love of nature and wildlife.

I love creating and exploring with watercolour, alcohol inks and oils. I sway between creating abstract art and realism. Maybe that in essence is part of my style. I have a different style for each medium that illustrates diversity and adaptability. I held my first solo art exhibition of colourful abstract oil paintings at the Red Earth Room, Mooroolbark, Victoria. I have entered many group exhibitions including exhibitions via Gallery247. In 2024, becoming a Watercolour tutor for a Community House in the Eastern suburbs. My wish is to share my artwork pieces for others to enjoy in their home or office space.

# I love to paint out doors   "plein air" #   I have been painting professionally for 40 years and  teaching art during  this time as well    #My art  has been purchased by Telecom, The Wool Corporation, BHP and many other companies.   # My rocknroll hero Bobby Rydell had one of my paintings hanging in his home in America. # My art is hung in many homes across the world including in the homes of diplomats #I have demonstrated at Camberwell Art Show # Thankyou for viewing my art

Ryan Brearley is a Geelong based artist and tutor working in oil painting and printmaking.  Ryan has had an interest in the creative arts from an early age. He grew up in an environment where creativity was encouraged and fostered, making “stuff” in the shed and on the kitchen table with his father and learning to draw, paint, sew and create with his mother, a recognised artist in textiles and painting.  Ryan studied art at local TAFE’s which introduced him to printmaking, enjoying the technical process as much as the creative possibilities that each method offered. Of even greater influence were his studies with Lance McNeill, who’s ‘Responsive Realism’ method of teaching exposed Ryan to the nuances of colour and tone. These experiences enabled him to refine his skills of observation in drawing and painting and learn to evoke a poetic illusion of reality. With a love of history and collecting, many of his treasured items find their way as subject matter in his work. His work explores the connection to place and time, through contemplative still life and landscape compositions. Ryan’s gestural marks, contrasts of vibrant and muted colour and emphasis of tone give attention to the abstract qualities of Nature. He is a sought after and passionate tutor who emphasises in his teaching the principles of Australian Tonalism as set-out by Max Meldrum. His teaching approach reflects his passion for the arts and his desire to keep learning. Ryan is dedicated to equipping students with the knowledge and skills to develop their own creative voice. He believes no special ’talent’ or ability is needed, just a willingness to apply yourself to the ideas being taught and a sense of fun! Exhibited work is eagerly bought by collectors, Ryan’s last solo show being sold out. He has received awards at exhibitions like the Geelong Art Show. He teaches at the Geelong Art Society,  Anglesea Art House and privately at the Queenscliff Uniting Church Hall. Ryan is the current Vice President of the Geelong Art Society.

John Bredl is a self-taught artist. He began painting and drawing at a very early age. John joined the army at the age of seventeen, and served as a Physical Training Instructor for six years.  He then received an honourable discharge and continued to work at the Portsea Army Officer Cadet School as a curator/grounds man. During this time John became involved in music, forming his own band which was very successful and demanded all of his time, so John left his job and took up the job of sound engineer in his band, lasted for many years until the band split up.  John’s life took a different path. He felt he wanted to take the challenge of a life as an Artist; he had dabbled throughout his life as a hobby, however he knew art would never pay the bills straight away so he continued to work as a sound engineer which took up weekends, leaving him most weeks to paint.  John started going to local markets to sell his art work.  John was painting in Oils and Acrylics, working mostly from photographs.  Sales from the markets and Rotary Art Shows kept him in paint and canvas for a few years.  Then in 1991 John started winning awards at these art shows.  The markets were also showing positive results. Having a stall at the St Kilda Esplanade opened the door to many international buyers.  At this time John was working and touring with Ronnie Burns, Daryl Cotton and Russell Morris. On one country trip John was looking out the car window and thought “what am I doing passing this countryside so quickly, I want to paint it” And so he did.  John gave notice and left the group to put all of himself and his time into his Art. Today John is still a self-taught artist. His oil paintings have increased in size and price, and have been a strong incentive for the investor. His friendly nature and will to share and exchange ideas has made his camaraderie most valuable to his fellow artists. John is regularly invited to judge many Art Shows and perform demonstrations, workshops, and art classes.  John has not looked back since deciding to be a professional artist.  Everyday John paints in his studio or in the field almost to the point of becoming obsessed with trying to capture the Australian land and seascapes. To date John has won over 250 awards and commendations, has held many solo and joint exhibitions and has been featured in the Australian Artist Magazine and the Australian International Artist Magazine. John’s work is in many Australian collections and in America, England, Germany, Japan and Canadian collections.

From a young age, I found inspiration in images from National Geographic and glossy magazines, not just for their visual appeal but for the worlds they revealed. These pages opened my imagination to vibrant cultures and distant landscapes, where beauty was expressed through colour, symbolism and storytelling. But it was nature, more than anything, that truly captured my attention. As a child, I would spend hours in the nature reserve beside my family home, picking flowers, photographing butterflies and catching tadpoles, all to the sound of bellbird calls echoing through the trees and cockatoos flying overhead. Those quiet, curious explorations left a deep impression on me. They taught me to observe closely, to appreciate the delicate and the fleeting, and to find wonder in the everyday. Much of my creative work today is a reflection of that early bond with the natural world. Whether through colour, texture or form, I return again and again to the feeling of being immersed in nature, a place of freedom, imagination and connection. As sentimental as it may sound, I see my art as a way of returning to that sense of wonder I first felt as a child.

For Kalina Brew creativity has always been an important part of her life. This passion initially led her to pursue a career in Interior Design. Following an interstate move and the birth of her first child, Kalina decided to retrain as a primary school teacher, relegating her more creative pursuits to her spare time. One particular year she was given the opportunity to teach Art at her school and, while guiding her students with their own creativity, she realised that creativity needed to become a significant part of her life once again. Kalina’s creates larger paintings on canvas with acrylics and smaller works on paper using gouache and soft pastels. Her works span a variety of subject matter, with a main focus on landscapes. She draws inspiration from the sun’s impact on the sky and surfaces, and seasonal changes in nature. Expressive brushstrokes, saturated colours and dynamic composition exemplify her style. Kalina’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 saw her work turn inward, reflecting on the emotions and experiences of facing ones own mortality, and shifting towards more joyful pieces celebrating all that we have to be grateful for. The Myriad Life was also established as an outlet for her other creative interests, including writing and digital art for consumer products. Qualifications Bachelor of Arts (Interior Design) RMIT 1998 Graduate Diploma in Education (Murdoch University) 2009 Awards Second Prize - Best Acrylic, Four Mediums at The Hut, Ferntree Gully Arts Society 2025 First Prize – Best Modern 2D in the Corinella Community Art Show 2024 Third Prize overall in KernArt Art Prize, October 2022

Teresa Brimo is a Fine Art Artist previously based in Sydney, Australia. She works in all mediums, specifically oil and pastel. Her subjects range from still life, landscape, figure and portraits drawing inspiration from the old masters and the impressionist painters. As well inspired and learns from many present day painters. She chooses her subjects from her environment, especially the landscapes in Australia and her still life subjects are works that have a personal meaning in her life. Teresa’s art journey began at a young age heavily influenced by her exposure to art in classes and museums in New York City. A love of dance led to a 15 year career as a professional ballet dancer in New York and the Northeast of America. She then resumed her art studies at The Art Students League of New York where she earned a merit scholarship. While raising 4 children, she put her study of art on hold but still honing her skills with the time alotted. Relocating to Australia and all its beauty further inspired her love of art. She began to study art seriously at the Julian Ashton Art School in Sydney taking life drawing and painting classes for a number of years studying with excellent teachers there, among them, Sally Ryan and Murray Bird. There she gained a Certificate in Fine Art and began exhibiting in the annual student and teacher’s exhibition. Her work has been exhibited in the Royal Easter Show 2015,2017,2018, and 2021, and the Randwick Women’s Art Prize. A move to Launceston, Tasmania for two years gave Teresa time to further hone in her talents. She studied with Leoni Duff and joined the Launceston Art society and the West Tamar Arts Group where she exhibited her works in a solo exhibition in 2020. She returned to Sydney where she continued studying and exhibiting her work. She is presently a member of the Lane Cove Art Society. Teresa believes that the study of art is a lifelong endeavour and she wishes to convey the beauty of everyday life through her paintings. You can view her works on her website. Teresa has recently relocated to Melbourne where she is a member of the Pastel Society of Victoria and exhibits her work with them as well as other venues there. She is also a member of the Victorian Artists society and regularly exhibits with them. Art Exhibitions Pastel Brilliance-Pastel Art society of Victoria 2022 Julian Ashton annual students and teachers exhibitions-2009 to 2015 Sydney Royal Easter Show 2015,2017,2018,2021, 2022 West Tamar Arts Group-Launceston, Tas. solo exhibition- A Colourful Journey Launceston Art society Sydney Lane cove Art society exhibitions Art Extra and Regenerate solo exhibition in Cafe in Lane cove Victorian Artists Society Exhibitions 2023 Autumn Select Exhibition, Winter Select Exhibition Spring select Exhibition VAS Gallery New Members Exhibition 9x5 Exhibitions Life Drawing Exhibitions Edward Heffernan Drawing Ex. Summer Ex. 2024 , 2025, VAS Gallery Camberwell Art Show 2023, 2024, 2025 .

Robert is an experienced artist teacher who has taught and researched drawing and painting both locally and internationally. His subjects, including landscape, still life and portraiture, respond to diverse personal local and further afield experiences. Robert completed his visual arts practical training at the University of Melbourne and achieved his doctorate with a focus on artists working with young people. A career engaged in the nexus between teaching and learning has led Robert to value the positive felt experiences painting can engender through the resonances of space, light and colour.

a Melbourne based watercolour artist with interest in Marine and Landscape Art.

Sam Bruere is a realist painter whose works explore a variety of subjects including, surrealist narratives, expressive portraiture and enigmatic skyscapes. He specialises in using imagery to articulate stories. He uses a saturated colour palette and a sublime use of tone. He regularly accepts art commissions, from large scale works to intimate portraits of beloved pets or family members.

As a semi retired Film and Television Director I returned to painting as a creative outlet after 40 years.

Mardi has worked in various creative design fields throughout her career but discovered that painting provided the most favourable arena for the self-expression of her creative instincts, not previously experienced with the other modalities. She was fortunate to have had the guidance and mentoring of some well-known artists and illustrators. Their influences have helped her evolve and grow immensely as a practising artist. This impact is evident with her recent body of work where we find her employing traditional methods and techniques using high quality oil paints, meticulously applied in a very controlled and precise manner, layering opaque and transparent glazes over a period of weeks and months to produce her studies of commonplace objects, which could be easily described as ‘contemporary classics’. “My inspiration is to capture the beauty of the ’everyday’ that surrounds us and often goes unnoticed. By magnifying the detail and tonal subtleties of my composition onto the canvas I find I am able to invite the viewer’s attention. Keeping the composition contemporary with clean simple lines makes these larger-than-life images impactful.” Having received awards for ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Highly Commended’ at various shows including, but not limited to The Camberwell Art Show and Omnia Art Prize, as well as Gallery representation, has led to a steady stream of sales and private commissions both in Australia and overseas.

My journey in art began with Traditional Chinese Ink Painting. Growing up in a land of rain and fields, I was always drawn to the beauty of colours flowing freely on water — flower petals, fallen leaves, colourful boats, flowing traffic, and animals along the riverbanks. The changing seasons fascinated me. Watercolour has truly become a lifelong passion of mine — a unique medium that allows water and pigment to move unrestrained yet guided by a human touch. I am captivated by its subtle colour gradations, which beautifully capture the ephemeral nature of ever‑changing subjects. Professionally trained as a landscape and interior designer, I create watercolour artworks featuring flowers, animals, and a range of architectural and natural subjects. My work blends classical and contemporary aesthetics, using vibrant colours, translucent layers, creative fluidity, and artistic balance to complement interior spaces. Each of my watercolours is unique and special. As a full‑time mother, painting has become my place of calm and reflection. Since 2024, I have actively participated in local Victorian art shows, where my work has been warmly received. Every piece is created with intention, emotion, and a deep appreciation for the quiet beauty found in everyday moments. I hope my paintings bring a sense of harmony and joy to your space. Your support is truly special and heart‑warming.

Thomas Cain is a Melbourne-based painter working in contemporary abstraction. His paintings transform familiar subjects into bold compositions of colour, movement, and textured, gestural layers. Thomas explores how simple forms and gestures can make the familiar slightly unfamiliar. Drawing inspiration from the clarity and freedom of children's drawings, he prioritises bold colour, surface texture, and direct mark-making over polished outcomes. He returned to art later in life with crayon drawings made alongside his toddlers in local pubs, quick marks between shared chips and sauce. These moments shaped his acrylic practice: working fast, building and scraping layers, leaving surfaces active and sometimes unvarnished. Texture gives physical weight to simplified forms. "I want people to look at it the way a kid might." Thomas works without sketches, responding directly to natural shapes and rhythms that catch his attention. He paints one piece at a time using old brushes, paint knives, and spatulas. The free mark-making of his children and nature's palettes continue to guide his approach to colour and form. Thomas works from a small studio in Melbourne and often paints outside in his backyard when conditions allow.

Self taught artist, sold numerous pieces. Love abstract

Paulina was born in Chile, South America, she migrated to Australia and settled in Melbourne where she currently practices as a Visual Artist . In Chile Paulina graduated as Graphic Designer at Universidad de Chile and in Melbourne completed a Master's in Visual Art at The Victorian College in 2011. Paulina's art practice involves image appropriation; she often wonders what the purpose would be of creating everything from scratch when continuously we are surrounded by images. Paulina's art practice engages with different media, collage, acrylic paint, stills from home made videos, drawings and large format prints. Paulina uses photo manipulation software in order to attain a particular effect inviting multiple interpretations and new understandings. Paulina is actively engaged with the 69 Collective as well as ArtAviso as way of engaging with other artists and considering new ideas. Currently her art practice is engaged in an exploration of women's socialization. Some of Paulina's ideas are informed by stories heard from women she counseled over the years.

Dr Joanne Canning is the daughter of Australian artist John Canning and is currently a visual Artist in Residence at Montsalvat, Eltham. Jo paints in her glorious studio daily, and takes in many students from Home Education to Easel Access where she is engaged in creating better career pathways for artists with disabilities. Unusually for an artist Jo has a PhD in research, genetics and behavioural neuroscience with extensive work in disability advocacy. Jo is a published researcher and her book "Miracle in Potential" - arts as early intervention, was launched by disability Minister – the Hon. Bill Shorten. Jo’s professional background spans 45 years in all arts i.e. as a dancer - Australian Ballet Co., actor - MTC., Playbox and ABC. Her visual art has been exhibited in Span Gallery Melb, Manyung, at Canning Arts Yarrawonga and has most recently been exhibited in the Omnia Art Prize. Jo created public works for The Melbourne Aquarium (80sqm) - “The Sea and Me” incorporating 120 children’s expressions, and her murals and portraits are in many private and public collections.

Sally Cant is a Portarlington-based watercolour artist with over 30 years’ experience. Renowned for her large-format works, she creates original paintings, limited edition prints, and products featuring her art, available through her studio, galleries, and exhibitions. Alongside her practice, Sally teaches watercolour and leads biannual three-day retreats on the Bellarine Peninsula and Flinders Island. She regularly exhibits, has received numerous commissions, and is a member of several art associations. Passionate about plein air painting, she often begins outdoors before completing her work in the studio.

Melbourne-based contemporary artist Kimberley Cardow creates vibrant, nature-inspired paintings that celebrate beauty, abundance, and emotional connection. Working primarily in oils and acrylics, her practice is influenced by travel, gardens, and the Australian landscape, with florals and birds recurring throughout her work. Raised in Sydney, Kimberley developed an early appreciation for colour, nature, and visual storytelling. Her expressive use of layered colour and intuitive mark-making reflects both the energy and softness found within the natural world. Before fully dedicating herself to painting, Kimberley spent more than four decades in the fashion industry, where she developed a strong understanding of colour, composition, and design — elements that continue to shape her contemporary aesthetic. Kimberley has participated in a number of group exhibitions, including the current Unmuted exhibition at Sol Gallery, and is a returning exhibiting and selling artist at the Camberwell Art Show. Her work invites viewers into immersive worlds filled with warmth, joy, and a deep connection to nature.

Judith has fun creating artwork to be enjoyed and interpreted by the viewer often taking her inspiration from nature. She paints in all mediums, however currently she is working with watercolour, an exciting medium. Her contemporary work uses water soluble ink. She is loving the vibrant colours and how they intermingle as the artwork is created and comes to life. Black Quink ink, with its great colour range emerging as the work is created is also marvellous to work with. Judith’s passion for painting began at an early age - now time allows for her to follow her dream. Creativity has always been important to Judith covering many subjects: Artwork | Kiln fusing glass | Silversmithing

Kerrie Carter is a Melbourne-based artist working in soft pastel and oil. Inspired by light, memory, and the beauty of everyday moments, her paintings explore Australian landscapes, florals, and family life. Kerrie was awarded the John Withers Emerging Artist Scholarship through the Pastel Society of Victoria Australia, which led to a mentorship with Lyn Mellady. She has received recognition through art society awards and exhibitions, and continues to build her practice through exhibition sales, commissions, and an engaged social media presence. Influenced by both French and Australian Impressionists, Kerrie creates atmospheric works that capture connection, place, and the fleeting qualities of light. Her paintings invite viewers to reflect on familiar moments and the enduring beauty found in everyday life.

Rob Cauzzo is a renowned artist and innovator whose journey began with an exploration of texture, sculpture, and architecture through the medium of concrete. This foundational experience has profoundly influenced his artistic development. His captivating stencil art on concrete has garnered international acclaim, with exhibitions in Australia, Dubai, and Japan. Cauzzo's artistic vision truly flourished when he pioneered a distinctive epoxy finish for commercial flooring, creating an expressive medium he describes as a "kaleidoscope of free-flowing color." Through his work, he masterfully interprets the beauty of nature and human emotion, harmoniously blending industrial materials with a sense of spiritual energy. He notes, "The resin is a fascinating contradiction; it is an industrial chemical yet embodies a spiritual essence. While the artwork may possess a solid structure, it resonates with a vibrant life force." "The art is fluid," he explains. "It transforms with varying light and perspectives, inviting viewers to engage with it as though it were alive." Rob has participated in numerous curated art shows and has held two solo exhibitions. His commissions span across Australia and reach as far as Hong Kong, with many of his pieces being created for corporate clients and large-scale installations.

Criss Chaney is an American painter living in Berwick. Her art transcends borders, weaving together threads of introspection and universal resonance. Her paintings serve as intimate reflections of her innermost thoughts and emotions, often incorporating pages from her personal journal to imbue each piece with layers of authenticity and depth. Drawing inspiration from the bustling city streets and the indelible imprints humans leave upon the world, Criss's work navigates the complexities of existence with a delicate balance of vulnerability and strength. When asked about her work Criss says: “My paintings are a reflection of my restless nature and the unfolding path of my life. They are multi-layered, inspired by city streets and aged buildings, they mirror the complexity of the human experience. I often include collage elements from my journals, quietly weaving them in for you to discover. Inside every woman is a part that can never be tamed, and secret thirst that needs to be quenched. I invite you to break free of the routine of your life, look deep into your inner self, and hear your soul calling.” Her paintings ask us to take a moment out of our busy lives to reflect on what we truly desire, think and feel, and to know thyself so we can show up in the world with unapologetic authenticity. Criss Chaney's process involves building up her paintings in many layers. She constructs a visual tapestry that invites viewers to delve beneath the surface and uncover hidden details and new intricacies. We can just about make out these layers as we look through her figures, to see what's going on beneath the surface. Criss works in a wide range of media, from cyanotype, acrylics, and inks to oil paints, pastels and gold leaf. She responds dynamically to the unique demands of each painting, allowing her intuition to guide the creative process, making it so that, much like life, she can never fully predict the outcome. The result is a body of work that resonates with a palpable sense of vitality and dynamism. Criss currently paints in her Berwick studio, continuously refining her techniques and experimenting with the interplay of layers. Criss remains steadfast in her commitment to her artistic evolution and community empowerment, not only through her bold paintings but also with her mural work, and classes.

Born in Shanghai, China, Jennifer received formal, traditional and systematic training in fine art throughout her primary and secondary school years. She pursued her career as a successful industrial designer for several years after graduating from university before she moved to Australia in 2008. After finishing her degree in RMIT University in 2013, instead of becoming an industrial designer again, she decided to become a full time artist and art educator as it is where she finds her true passion still lies in. Jennifer specialises in pencil sketching, water colouring, resin and ink painting. Jennifer has developed her own distinctive style, which features the fusion of Western and Chinese expressions and spiritual sensibility in colour. Her artworks are very decorative and have a strong modern taste, which are especially suitable for soft decoration in modern households. Jennifer is an accomplished but not a 'productive' artist as she is mostly driven by inspiration when creating artworks and all her artworks need to meet her high expectation before she presents them for sale. Many of Jennifer's artworks have been selected to be on exhibition in a variety of art shows in Australia. Her achievement has been recognised and her recent awards include South Coast Sand & Civil Gold Award (Victor Harbour Art Show 2020), Best Non Traditional Painting (Camberwell Art Show, 2019) and Highly Commended (Whitehorse Art Show, 2018). Jennifer has her personal art studio in Melbourne, where she displays most of her artworks. She accepts requests to commission artworks, too.

Ji Chen was born in Shanghai China. He completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Shanghai Drama Academy in 1984. Ji and his family arrived in Australia in 1989. He has been the recipient of some of the most prestigious art awards in Australia. His achievements include; first prize in the Brighton Art Award; first prize at the Altona Art Show (on six occasions); the $10,000 first prize of the Victor Harbour Award (1994); and the best oil painting award at Victor Harbour in 2006. In 2002,2004 and 2006. Ji Won the People's Choice Award in the most reputed competition for landscape painting in Australia and abroad, the Fleurieu Peninsula Biennale'Fleurieu Peninsula Art Prize'.In 2004, Ji received the award for his spectacular work 'Murray River', and again in 2006 for his riveting landscape 'Lake Eyre'. In 2005 he was awarded the $20,000 Best of Show Gold Medal Award at the Herald Sun Camberwell Art Show in Melbourne for his turbulent and extraordinary oil-on canvas painting' Rough Sea'. Ji's most recent accomplishment was the 2016's26th Tattersale's invite-only 'Landscape Art Prize People' Choice Award' In addition to the art competition, Ji has enjoyed many solo and group exhibitions in numerous art galleries across Adelaide, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, London, and the USA. His works have also been featured in numerous publications, including The Australia Artist Magazine, which has featured his works on four occasions. His works are currently represented in collections within Australia and overseas.