Andrew K is a self-taught artist based in Brisbane, Australia. He creates vibrant and expressive paintings that explore the beauty and diversity of people and nature. Inspired by the colours and shapes of the natural world, as well as the stories and emotions of the human experience.  Social and environmental issues feature strongly. Oils, charcoal and pastels capture the mood, movement, and texture of Andrew’s subjects. His paintings are a reflection of his passion for life, his hopes and fears and the stories he hopes connect with others.

I was born in Turkey in 1989. I have been living in Australia for 15 years. I am a artist whose work breathes life into imagination. Through a palette of colours and strokes, I weave stories on watercolour paper, inviting you to explore emotions, dreams and the beauty that resides within the intersection of reality and fantasy.

Education

2006 – 2010        Bachelor of Fine Art, Ondokuz Mayis University, Turkey

2013                     Brisbane Institute of Art, Expression Watercolour

Kate Hessling

As a self-taught artist I enjoy challenging myself and experimenting with different ideas and subject matters.  These can range from expressionist to impressionist, to just strange abstract ideas and concepts that pop into my head.

My art is original and hand-painted using a variety of tools such as brushes, scrapers, palette knives, fingers and sponges etc. So expect to see brush, texture and tool marks.  If you are very lucky you might find a rare, stray brush hair embedded in the paint.

My influences are mostly from the stunning abstract and expressionist work of the mid-20th century which have such a feeling of raw intensity.  However, I also love abstracted and moody impressionist landscapes and see no conflict between such diverse styles.

I grew up in a creative family around the visual and written arts and experimented with a range of creative activities including sculpting, clay hand-building, and glass fusing before moving into watercolour, and now acrylic painting.  I hope you enjoy my art because I really enjoy making it.

Catherine Porter

Art has been an integral part of my life, since a very young age.

Mt Stromlo Observatory and the Research School of Biological Sciences, ANU Canberra gave me the opportunity to hone my skills using pen and ink, illustrating both fauna and flora dissections for publication in science journals.

I began painting, firstly in oils, then in watercolour and mixed media. Most of my art now centres around watercolour and some pen and ink work. I find painting with watercolour both exhilarating and frustrating, as you can never be quite sure where it will lead you.

Over the years I have been most fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate in workshops with John Lovett and David Fam, but primarily I am a self-taught artist.

I have been part of art exhibitions and sold work both privately and through galleries over the years.

I paint using a variety of subjects, predominately the bush, floral and bird life.

For more information on my practice, please visit my website artisticpalette.net

Karen Dyer

Painting solely in oil and with a primary focus on still life, Karen works to
imbue her chosen subjects with a ‘soul’ or spiritual energy despite being
considered inanimate objects. Inspiration is drawn from a strong interest in
the spiritual aspect of Animism and by recent visits to Asia which provided
a glimpse into the world of Shinto and Buddhist beliefs.
Portraiture is also an area which interests Karen. When creating a work, an
element of distortion is employed (to varying degrees of the surreal) to
accentuate the emotion/spirit emanating from sitter and perceived by the
artist.
Karen lives and works in the vibrant inner city suburb of West End,
Queensland.

Recognition and Recent Exhibitions
2022 – The Percival’s Portrait Prize – finalist
2022 – The Lethbridge Landscape Prize – salon de refuses
2022 – Blue Thumb Portrait Prize – shortlisted
2023 – Revival Art and Design Emerging Artist Prize – Winner of Sponsor’s
Prize
2023 – ArtEdit Magazine – Spring Edition – ‘One to Watch’
2023- Neu Neu Exhibition – Red Hill Art Gallery joint Exhibition
2023 -Brisbane Portrait Prize – finalist
2023 – Lethbridge Galley – Small Works 2000 joint Exhibition
2023 – Revival Art and Design – Small Works joint Exhibition
2023 – Aspire Gallery – multiple joint Exhibitions

Susan began painting after finding some paints her children had left out. She attended classes, collected enough art reference books and magazines to fill a library, concentrated on acrylics, then exhibited her work with her first solo exhibition in 2004. It was a success! One visitor Philippa Stewart-Hall, a member of the Australian Society of Miniature Art (NSW), was so impressed by some of Susan’s smaller works that she suggested Susan apply for membership of the society. This she subsequently did, and was pleased when accepted following her first application.

Having become a member of ASMA, Susan felt she should learn more about miniatures and their history, and how she could further her development in the particular field, and subsequently enrolled in Miniature classes with graphic designer and miniaturist, Tina Spira.

Susan has attended classes and workshops with Paul Miller, Patrick Carroll, Madeleine Syzmanski, and recently Terry Jarvis. She now works in a variety of media including graphite, charcoal, watercolour, collage and of course acrylics. She still paints large pictures too! Susan collects unusual items for reference such as dried seedpods, stones, and used her photographs as aide-memoires.

Susan relocated to Brisbane in 2022. Sadly her husband and mentor died early 2023. She continues to spend much time gardening, and slowly returning to her painting.

Awards and Achievements:

• First Prize and Award of Excellence – 2022 Sydney Royal Easter Show for Miniatures
• Highly Commended – 2023 Australian Society of Miniature Art Tasmania National Awards
• ASMA Victoria “Little Treasures” exhibition
• Highly Commended – Rotary Club of Singleton, NSW for the artwork The Golden Hind
• Commended – Art on show Awards, Mackay for the artwork Just Before Dusk
• Highly Commended – The Ekka Arts and Crafts for artwork Banksias in the Bush

For more of Susan’s artwork you can visit her website