The Yarram Courthouse Gallery Children’s Easter Drawing Competition 2020

As part of our ongoing efforts to reach out to our local arts community during the nation wide COVID-19 virus lockdown, Yarram Courthouse Gallery, Inc. held this, our first ever solely online competition.

A varied media exhibition by artist Kerry Anderson.

Kerry Anderson

Kerry has always had a love of art.  As a child she loved to paint and this led to her pursuing a career in Advertising.

Over the last eight years, working in a mixed media studio, has enriched Kerry's passion and skills culminating in this eclectic exhibition of her art. Kerry's understanding and knowledge of how working in disciplines such as clay, acrylic painting, printmaking and works on paper is always evolving as is her passion.

Opening Night

An exhibition by solo artist, Leo Wimmer.

LEO WIMMER

I was born in Austria in 1937 and still have vivid memories of my childhood, particularly my youth during the Second World War and the Occupation of Austria which followed.  At a young age I had wonderful fantasies and  was drawing, painting and dreaming of taking my passion on to tertiary education.  However, as that was not a possibility I became apprenticed as a Church Painter, including frescoes. gilding, wood carving and faux finishing (decorative paint finishes that replicate the appearance of materials such as marble, wood or stone) to a very experienced Master in this trade.  This pushed my passion for creativity deeper.   As a young man, whose country was in tatters, and whose people were trying to pick up their lives, I could not see a future there.

In 1955 aged 18 I migrated alone to Australia, with only a smattering of English.  From Bonegilla Migrant Camp, to Redcliffe grape picking in January heat, being a red head, my face and arms were soon covered in blisters.  Dr Suggested I take a night train to Geelong.  I landed on the train station there in the middle of the night, was sleeping on a bench, when a nice policeman said “hey, you can’t sleep their sonny” and took me to a men’s boarding house opposite the Geelong Football Ground.  My first job was as a spray painter at Ford Motor Company, I then graduated to Godfrey Hurst Woolen Mill, until finally I found a job as a Painter and Decorator.  Australia is such a different country to Austria, that I was soon painting landscapes, animals, and nature vastly different.  The skies fascinated me, as did the ocean.   The light in Australia was so much brighter than in Austria. My boss had a large team of qualified young gun painters and accepted a huge contract to paint the entire outside of the Ararat Mental Hospital (an 8 month undertaking).  Whatever each man in the team had talent for he did that one job for 8 months.  (eg hanging under eaves in a bosun chair painting all day).  Because of my artistic experience, I had a very fine straight hand, so painted probably thousands of frames of small glass window panes!.

So now I got to see real country Victoria.  It was at the Ararat Mental Hospital (later named Aradale, and which no longer exists) where I met my lovely wife, Glenys, became a naturalized Australian, produced three gorgeous daughters in Ararat, and we have had an abundantly blessed and courageous life together, so far for 58 years.

Over these early years I successfully undertook a course in Commercial Art at night school. My passion for art and woodcraft continued to flourish, as well as an interest in many forms of restoration.   I started a Painting and Decorating business, employing apprentices, becoming well known in the Western District. Soon people were bringing diverse articles for me to restore – as well as continuing to paint pictures, expanding my use of all mediums and styles I have never stayed with one medium or style but rather led by passion to always try something different.  It is still like that today.  The exception to this has been Icon Writing – this is for me a spiritual passion which brings me deep joy, and I will continue to do this as long as I can hold a paint brush!.

In 1977 we sold our home and vehicles, and with our family, flew to Austria for three years.  I studied Art Restoration for two years, which also included painting many and varied well known European paintings, in order to learn all their techniques, thus enabling me to restore such paintings.  This was an amazing experience.    I was also working part time (voluntarily) in the restoration studio of a highly regarded Viennese Restorer who offered considerable respect for my abilities and trusted me with extremely valuable work.

I was fortunate to be accepted as a Guest Student in the Master Class of the Academy of Fine Art in Vienna for the duration of these 3 years.  I was not required to attend class, but Prof. Wolfgang Hutter, Director of Master Class, would set me assignments and we met fortnightly.   This was very engaging and enriching for me.  He was one of the best Fantastic Realism painters in Europe in his time. Slowly his work was making an impression in what I was painting and on returning home I continued for some time “under his powerful creative influence”.

However, eventually I began to sink more into our own Australian culture and began diversifying again with mediums and subjects.

On weekends in Vienna I would take one of each of my girls to a gallery and we would spend hours talking and just sitting and looking.  I am so grateful for this unique opportunity to introduce them to such fine art.  I then would take myself off with my sketch book, sketching many of the buildings that make Vienna the beautiful European city that it is, then later water colored the sketches.

Early in our time in Vienna my wife was successful in obtaining employment with the United Nations (UNIDO) – a job she cherished, working with people from all corners of the world.  Many of her European colleagues were delighted to purchase many of the European paintings that I was producing throughout my course.

On our return to Australia in 1980 I was employed at the Australian National Gallery, Victoria for two years as Conservator, as well as undertaking private restoration work, and continuing my painting.  In 1982, 5 months before the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra was due to open, I was “head hunted” into a Conservator position where I worked predominantly on very old European and Australian frames – my earlier training enabled me to caste molds and carve replacement corners and decorations, then regild the frame. Sometimes I crafted period frames entirely for a special work of art.

During this time I was privately restoring paintings and continuing painting many beautiful scenes and buildings in and around Canberra.  I was also conducted Icon Writing Courses.

After 10 years at the NGA we moved to Mount Beauty where I continued to paint, and also offered residential week long courses in Icon Writing, Carving and Gilding, taking participants up into the High Country to paint scenes from that area. Over the years I was commissioned to write various Icons, icons using genuine antique techniques. 

We retired to Malua Bay on the NSW South Coast, continuing to pursue my painting passion, still changing mediums and subjects, relishing the freedom to do so in such a magnificent environment.

We now live in Sale in Victoria, and strangely feel I have come full circle since leaving Victoria for Vienna 42 years ago. The influence from Prof Hutter faded away over time on my return, and I produced diverse paintings, always trying many new things, but not experiencing real satisfaction.  However, these past 2 years I have passionately experienced a drive to an entire new sphere, arriving at the realisation that what I was introduced to in Vienna had touched my subconscious and I now find my spirit lights up with fantastic ideas and my own style has emerged – must emerge!  I deeply feel I have travelled full circle with my paintings and found myself.  Such a wonderful feeling.

Since 1961 have sold paintings, icons and woodcraft, from my home studio.  These now hang in most States in Australia, in private homes, in churches, in Nursing Homes and public buildings, and of course in Austria. I have also painted murals in the high county, in nurseries, kindergartens, in private homes and hospitals.

I feel very privileged to conduct my first ever Exhibition here in the Yarram Court House Gallery in Gippsland, and thank the Committee for placing their trust in my work.   I have appreciated the Committee’s companionship, advice and assistance on this stage in my life’s abundant journey.

Displayed artworks

Hanging Day/Opening Night

An exhibition by artists Julie Lundgren-Coulter, Ann Smith & Craig Smith.

Julie Lundgren-Coulter

Abstract, Earth pigments, Julie Lundgren Coulter, Landscapes, Oil, Paintings Born in Box Hill in 1952, Julie Lundgren-Coulter has always held a keen interest in painting and drawing. Many trips to the Herald Outdoor Art Show with her grandmother and recognition for her artistic talents at primary school further encouraged Julie's desire to be an artist. In 1975 Julie married Alan, a farmer from Mardan in South Gippsland Victoria. The unique South Gippsland environment, the natural beauty of coastal views and the serenity of the rural vistas, is the focus of Julie's works, Influenced by the work of Impressionist artists, in particular the Heidelberg School artists, Julie Lundgren-Coulter is drawn to exploring Victoria’s beautiful coastal and rural countryside close to her South Gippsland home. Julie’s earth pigment, oil and pastel paintings capture her connection with daily life ‘on the land’ and her fascination with the way light and climatic conditions transforms the landscape around her.

Displayed Artworks

An exhibition by Todd Davidson - artist from the iconic Melbourne newspaper, “The Age”.

Todd Davidson’s Bio

I graduated as a Graphic designer, but my love of art has nourished a career in illustration.

Though on staff for several years at BRW mag and the Age, it has been freelance commissions that have provided the bulk on my income. Qantas and Time magazine were early clients, however it was editorial drawings for the Age, in response to journalists stories, where I did most work. Over 20 years worth/ often 4 per week published.

My mediums have ranged from line work cartoons, charcoal caricatures, to realistic oil paintings to convey ideas. Watercolor was been my go-to medium for its inherit speed and spontaneity. Photoshop completed scanned later artworks with color and form adjustments.

I have about 2000 stock images online, divided between Illustrationsource.corn, and Gettyimages.com. I am currently in career transition, writing children l s books and poems and social commentary cartoons.

This exhibition mirrors a range of satirical and imaginative illustration which flowered in newspapers from the late 60 1s to the 90's. I was fortunate to work beside Leunig and John Spooner at the Age, and learnt much from them. My images use comicall surreal or dramatic forms to convey an idea or comment on contemporary social/ political or personal issues and events. Hopefully they are engaging and intriguing in the own right.

Regards, Todd

For more information on Todd click here:

https://www.illustrationsource.com/oas/artist/1/

Examples of Todd Davidson’s published works

Displayed Artworks

Hanging Day/Opening Night Celebrations

An exhibition by Suzette Levette and Karen Rogers.

Artist Bio’s

Displayed Artworks

Opening Night Celebrations

Due to unforeseen circumstances, there are no Hanging Day photos for this exhibition.

An exhibition by Laurie Collins from Red Hat Gallery, Jindivich

Well, in 2019 I am about to be a 65year old 6 ft 4 inch bearded male.

I am now retired from teaching and working full time at my art. I have been making stuff for years, ever since I did my teaching course at Melbourne State College in Arts and Craft (B.Ed). It was a great course and we did subjects such as painting, drawing, woodcraft, sculpture, printmaking, metal craft, textiles, design, art history, psychology and many more .

Before that I used to make and draw things but with much less focus.

I was an only child of Lyla and Eddie Collins born in September 1954 and I went to:

 West Preston State School,

 Preston Tech( an all boys school in those days),

 Preston Institute of Technology (3 girls) and

 RMIT( Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)( Lots of girls)

 Melb State College( now Melb uni) .

I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a kid and followed through with my friends doing the science stream leading to starting a civil engineering degree. I got chicken pox at the end of year exams and scraped a pass in most subjects.

I thought I could do better and repeated the year at RMIT and also did an architecture course in the evening. This introduced me to life drawing (where do I look!!) and art history. I had a friend doing the Art and Craft teachers course at Melbourne State College and this sounded great, especially when they were offering studentships.

At RMIT I met my future wife Marian, (a radiographer) and we ended up living together in her rented house in North Melbourne (Molesworth St). She worked at the Children’s Hospital and I worked part time as a paper boy and gardener. We married in 1976.

When I finished my course I was posted to Mortlake (Western Victoria) and we spent about 7 years there. Marian worked at Warrnambool Base Hospital and I worked at Mortlake High School. I started making small boxes, natural edged mirrors and Red- Gum pedestals.

I sold artwork to Ishka, Rosies, Donvale Craft Cottage. We had three children, Kathleen, Emily and Caleb and lived on a 20 acre hobby farm at the foot of Mt Shadwell.

We then moved to Warragul and I taught at Drouin Secondary College.

Marian used to work at West Gippsland Hospital and I did a welding course at Warragul Tafe and decided to use these new skills to make other arty crafty items (Thanks Phil and Greg). We did most of the initial work in my garage in Albert Rd (sorry neighbours) and then moved to a 2 acre place at Jindivick where I have built a shed (studio) which I periodically add to then clutter up. I am the messiest person in the area but have been known to be friendly to furry animals and small children.

Since then I have sold work at Town and Country Gallery in Yarragon, Ishka (10 stores in Melbourne) Outhouse, Fitzworks, Mirboo North Art show and Drouin and Warragul art shows. My CV shows more of the actual art exhibitions

I taught Design and Technology as well as Metalwork, Pedal and Power, Art, Woodwork and anything else they threw at me. I have helped teams in Tournament of the Minds, been on and ran some camps and really value kids developing their creativity through being challenged to develop their ideas

Now I am retired I work most of the day in my shed although I try to get out for part of the day so I don't turn into more of a hermit. I now have a sculpture garden here at Jindivick and am a sort of tourist attraction. In 2015 I built the Red Tree Gallery on the sculpture garden site and this shows my small works and other local artists work on a monthly basis

We try to do a trip each year to broaden our horizons and in 2011 we went to Canada, mainly B.C and a bit of Alberta. In 2014 I went to Thailand to participate in an arts festival at Raja Mangala Uni and also Phitsanlok Uni. In 2015, I went to Thailand again to participate in the art workshop at Raja Mangala Uni ( Poh Chang) and since then the new Red Tree Gallery (on the site of Laurie Collins Sculpture Garden) has been opened and has started having exhibitions of other people’s work as well as my own.

In 2019 I went to Vietnam to participate in an art workshop and exchange at Danang and this was both challenging and very positive.

Good on ya,

Laurie

Displayed Artworks

Hanging Day, Opening Night and Social Media Graphics

Viewpoints' - a collaborative exhibition by Gippsland artists, Carol Linton and Leigh Fraser, Photographer Sue Juha and Printmaker Rosie Lyons.

Sue Juha

Since purchasing my first DSLR camera many years ago, my love for taking photos has taken me all over Gippsland and around Australia. I enjoy venturing out in nature and sightseeing through the city, capturing photos to reminisce and share with my family and friends.

I have been a member of the Latrobe Valley Camera Club for 5 years and have enjoyed learning and sharing my experiences with other passionate photographers. I scrapbook many of my photos in fun and creative memory books for my family and close friends to enjoy. I also love the challenge of creating abstract photography I Photoshop.

This is my first exhibition showcasing my passion for photography with landscapes and wildlife, all captured in our own picturesque backyard – Gippsland.

Leigh Fraser

Leigh Fraser was born some time last century.

He happily lives and works in South Gippsland continuing to find inspiration in the light and tones around him.

He has studied in the Tonal Impressionist style of the 20 Melbourne Painters' Society under John Dudley and others.

Carol Linton

Self-taught, Carol began her art career at the age of 16, working for the Myer Emporium, making lampshades, and hand painting them.

Ten years later she was painting Guy Boyd pottery, and then painting giftware for Hollman Tinware. This was followed by time spent decorating ceramic tiles at Nicholson Tiles, in Elsternwick, near Melbourne.

Exhibiting her own work in 1973, Carol started winning numerous awards for her oils and watercolours. Other awards followed.

Carol worked for ten years with the Hallworth House Gallery in Yarrawonga, where she exhibited and demonstrated annually with solo shows, as well as showing at many other rural galleries in country Victoria. For a time she was kept very busy exhibiting exclusively for a Phillip Island gallery.

In the mid 1970s, she joined the Peninsula Art Society. After moving to Swan Walk, Chelsea in Dec 1976, at the Karingal Hub annual art exhibition, she won a major prize in the late 70s. At the prestigious Chelsea Art Society’s annual show in the 1980s, she won an acquisitive award (and simultaneously, First Prize).

At the Southland centre gallery, she exhibited at its third floor gallery space. In 1984, she exhibited 50 paintings together with Margo Sykes and John Canning (3 Australians at work) at the AMP building in Melbourne.

Retiring to Wonthaggi in 1993, she opened three rooms of her miner’s cottage home as a gallery. She began to make papier mȃché sculptures and take on many commissions in a variety of media. After thirteen years there, she discovered Toora in South Gippsland, and relocated to a home with a shopfront gallery, experimenting successfully with different painting styles. Her quirky depictions of rural and domestic scenes delight visitors and locals alike.

She continues to sell her work at various venues and at the Toora Village Studio Gallery, of which she was a founding member. She plans to create a new gallery next to her latest home in Toora.

Her work is well represented in the U.K., Europe, U.S.A. and Japan.

Rosie Lyons

ROSIE LYONS’ art practice stems from her strong foundation in design, textiles and printmaking. She loves to explore many mediums and in this exhibition you can see etchings & paintings as well as lino block printing on textiles which were inspired by her many visits to India.

Her influence mainly comes from Mother Nature as it is all inspiring, fascinating and always so perfect down to the most minute detail. As all artists influence each other, she loves seeing what other people produce, each artist having a different technique which is always interesting.

Rosie has exhibited in Seattle & Los Angeles, USA, Canada and Rome as well in Melbourne, Albert Park the Mornington Peninsula, Warburton, Foster and Fish Creek.

Artists Portraits

Opening Night Celebrations

‘THE YARRAM ARCHIES’ IS A POPULAR PORTRAITURE COMPETITION HELD ANNUALLY AT YARRAM COURTHOUSE GALLERY.

The competition is open to people of all ages and entries must depict a real person, past or present.

With entrants coming from all over the region and often as far as Melbourne, the range of styles and medium used for this competition always makes for a great exhibition.

And the winners are…

Judges Notes:

First Prize

Roz McQuillan

Title:- Portrait of Craig

I admire your bold placement of the gentleman in your subject, you have shown great skill and confidence in your choice to do so.

Your restraint within the painting has also proven a most powerful skill in achieving impact without showing a laboriously overworked portrait.

Very Refreshing.

Lea Jones

Second Prize

Jillian Black

Title :- Predicaments

Your subject choice is skilfully mastered demanding the viewer to revisit and reinvestigate the predicament of your sitter. The fact that the photographic work you submitted is able to stand so strong amongst traditional, painted works is another testament to your abilities. I have enjoyed seeing your work and look forward to seeing future works with the same fresh and impressive impact.

Congratulations.

Lea Jones

Third Prize

Sharon Wooton

Title:- Tuesdays with Di

Such a refreshing painting! A pure pleasure to view. A joy to see such a fun and free approach to what is traditionally a formally executed subject. Your patterning and vibrant use of colour adds to the impact of your finished portrait.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful works.

Lea Jones

AN EXHIBITION BY DINAH BARTON (TEXTILES), DONNA MARCIUS (JEWELLERY) AND LISA TIMMS STEVENS (MIXED MEDIA).

DINAH BARTON

Award winning textile artist, Lecturer/Tutor in Art and Design at R.M.I.T (City Campus) now working in her studio in Loch Sport, Victoria. Solo/Group exhibitions. Favours embroidering with fabrics and threads. I consider myself a textile Artist. Instead of using paints and brushes I use fabric and thread. A variety of yarns are combined to get the desired effect. I do not use the sewing machine preferring to glue, hand stitch and embroider. In the final stages I may add pencil or paint. The design concepts are based on my own sketches, doodles or photographs. The original idea does not contain much detail, choosing to create as the journey unfolds. It is this process that maintains my interest and enthusiasm. The interplay between the embroidered piece and the fabric background create textural depth. The art work on display is highlighting aspects of my interest in "nature naturally." 

1. Loch Sport is surrounded by water which attract a variety of birds. Their habitat extends across the Gippsland Lakes. There is international recognition of this area as birds make the long flight from as far away as Siberia.

2. Wilson's Promontory provides sketching opportunities of rock formations, the ebb and flow of river and sea set against the ever changing light and water reflections.

3. Outback journeys across Australia has created for me a new intensity of colour and light not found in the coastal areas.

4. Part of my teaching career covered interior decoration and design. These flower studies set in vases on tablecloths reflect that influence. 

DONNA MARCIUS 

I completed a 4 year apprenticeship with Italian jewellers in Melbourne and have continued to work in the jewellery trade for the past 35 years. During this time I have worked in the retail trade repairing, remodelling and making jewellery in Melbourne, Traralgon and Sale. In this time I have worked one on one with clients creating their own bespoke pieces of jewellery. I work with all carats and colour of gold and sterling silver. 

Nature has created such beautiful gems in the oceans and on the earth, so it’s a privileged to work with them, from the organic formation of coral and pearls, the time capsules of amber and fossils, to the most precious gems of opals, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds. 

I live in Loch Sport Victoria and for many years have had a workshop at home. I’m surrounded by the Gippsland Lakes, 90 Mile Beach and National Parks, which has a great influences in the jewellery I create. 

The other major influence is the Art Noveau period with its beautiful organic flowing lines. At the time this period was a reaction to the industrialization of the world and I think we need to encourage handcraft items in our time so we can be individuals and show our essence in what we create. 

LISA TIMMS STEVENS 

I live in Loch Sport, on the borders of Lake Reeve, a wide, shallow offshoot of the Gippsland Lakes. The surrounding Crown Land is a wildlife haven. When you walk through the narrow opening into the scrub and saltmarsh you enter a different world. 

It was here that I found, earlier this year, a beautiful deer antler, and then a kangaroo skull. Their shapes intrigued me. All my art practice is about shapes – in the past I was drawn to mechanical shapes and my ceramic sculptures use shape to describe and define them. I began to collect native animal bones in earnest. 

Bones lying on the ground in the wild are like little treasures – in almost every case when an animal dies the predators move in and scatter the bones so it is rare to find something in usable condition. I’ve been very lucky with my finds and the internet is a great source of information about cleaning and sanitising. Animal bone collecting is a worldwide hobby, though good finds are rare. 

I feel a sort of reverence for the creatures whose bones I am portraying, it’s almost as though they are being acknowledged. It is right and natural for organic matter to return to the earth but it’s a nice thought that these helpless, harmless creatures have been appreciated for their wondrous existence even when they are gone. Among other things, I feel awed by the amazing skeletal structure of the echidna, the extraordinary shape of the wombat’s skull and the way the kangaroo’s skull fits together – and has two very long horizontal teeth at the front of the lower jaw. No wonder it hacks up our lawns! 

I hope that these artworks may give others a sense of the beauty and wonder of nature as found in our own unique wildlife.

SCHOOLS MONTH @ YARRAM COURTHOUSE GALLERY.

Schools Month is an annual fixture at Yarram Courthouse Gallery where the various schools in the district take turns in displaying their students work for the benefit of the community.

This year we have the pleasure of seeing the artworks of the students of:

YARRAM SECONDARY COLLEGE

“The Young Artist” is a collection of artworks across mediums and year levels. Year 7 students have been working on some lino prints, most of them for the first time. On the other side of the scope, our senior students will be presenting a range of works from drawings to paintings. Year 8 students will be showcasing their photographs in a range of creative presentation styles and Year 9 students have made some Zines. The collection is an example of the many ideas and styles that young people bring to the artistic community and we are proud to share it.

Miniatures in May

Judging Results

Judged 8th May, 2019

Congratulations to all the artists who entered this year’s Miniatures! Our job as judges wasn’t easy due to the large number and high standard of entries! As judges we initially looked at all the artworks independently, then short-listed artworks that were on all our lists, and then refined our results from there.

Honourable Mentions:

• ‘Woodside Landscape’ - Artist: Bianca Biesuz-Stefani.

“We loved the sense of depth in this piece and attention to detail. The unusual timber base and framing works well.”

• ‘The Landscape’ - Artist: Julie Lundgren-Coulter.

“This is a successful composition with a lovely use of colour in the foreground. A great sense of depth is achieved too.”

3rd place: ‘Green Croaker’ - Artist: Cathy Trembath

“This piece is very well composed and shows strong use of the media, with successful use of colour and attention to detail.”

2nd place: ‘Dandelion’ - Artist: Sue Juha

“This photo is beautifully composed, with excellent focus and use of line. The tonal contrast and sense of movement is just wonderful.”

1st place: ‘Contemplation’ - Artist: Veronica Clarkson

“This piece displays an excellent use of collage media, with small pieces of printed paper working very successfully into the overall composition. The title is very fitting as you are drawn towards the figure’s eyes. Fantastic use of line and colour too.”

Judges: Kim Baggaley, Justin Holt, Andrea McCallum.