Author Archives: Lou-Anne

Winners – 2024 Salon des Refusés

The Royal Queensland Art Society would like to congratulate all the winners in the 2024 Salon des Refusés exhibition, which is run in conjunction with the Brisbane Portrait Prize.

Thank you also to our judges Scott Breton (FRQAS), Craig Tuffin and Phil Brown. Please scroll down to view the winning artworks and judges’ comments.

Petrie Terrace Gallery Award – Selected by Scott Breton

Emerging from the Shadows

by Holly Field

JUDGES COMMENTS

This painting offers a rich and expressive use of medium, while focussing on the essential content: a sincere and human treatment of a unique protagonist.

Petrie Terrace Gallery Award – Selected by Craig Tuffin

Keeping Up with the Heelers

by Alissa Lamb

JUDGES COMMENTS

The Heeler family seems to have captured the attention of parents around the world. It’s overwhelmingly ‘Aussie’ and regularly promotes iconic Brisbane locations. However, by illuminating what good and perfect parenting should look like in a progressive nation, it also ironically sheds light on a standard that’s impossible to maintain. There is no doubt that Alissa’s technical skill with acrylic paint and canvas is outstanding, but the strong narrative that her work is built upon is its cornerstone. This allowed me to make personal connections to the despondent pose of the self-perceived ‘imperfect’ father.
Whilst many portraits give the sitter direct power via a more traditional static pose, Alissa has disarmed the audience by capturing her husband disengaging. Tension is elicited by the combination of a smiling mask and his discouraged facial expression.
I find gravitas in this insightful painting that communicates a new vision of what parenting looks like, and the associated challenges it reveals.

Petrie Terrace Gallery Award – Selected by Phil Brown

I Am Still Here (Self Portrait)

by Zoe Willey

JUDGES COMMENTS

I like the simplicity and the honesty of this work and it is obviously about overcoming adversity, but it is ultimately optimistic. I think the fact that it is uncluttered helps.

 

Peoples Choice Award

She Remembers

by Lara Cooper

 

Mahsa Homayounfard

Mandala Art (Acrylic+Musaic) on Round Wooden Base 58cm
Mandala Art (Watercolor+Musaic) on Round Canvas 40cm
Mandala Art (Acrylic+Musaic) on Round Wooden Base 38cm

My name is Mahsa and I am originally from Iran. I migrated to Australia more
than 10 years ago. I hold a Master of IT Engineering and am currently working in the industry. I grew up in an artistic family; my mother had held many exhibitions in Iran showing her sculptures. I have always been influenced by the creative arts, starting with my journey learning Persian Calligraphy when I was at high school.

After I migrated to Australia, I decided to start learning new art techniques. Initially I worked with coloured pencils, then in 2018 I started experiencing different visual arts with the use of different media such as mosaic crafting, watercolour, acrylic, dot painting, polymer clay, and resin art for jewellery making. I continue to learn my craft while developing my own unique style and language.

The inspiration for my art comes from using different colours and textures as well as my desire to share my feelings and experiences with other people. I have also mixed traditional Persian patterns and techniques with Western modern art in order to make a connection with my culture and appeal to an Australian audience.

I have been part of “The Artists Hub Gold Coast” gallery which is a unique Artists Collective based in the heart of Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast since 2020. I have held a very successful solo exhibition at Brisbane Institute of Art in July 2024 which I presented 29 pieces of my Mindful Mandala Artworks for two weeks. Also, I established “Kian Art Studio” Website in 2019 to make a channel to communicate with my valued customers who are interested in my unique artworks.

Visit my website here: https://kianartstudio.com

Juanita Sanganithy

Juanita-Sanganithy_Flamingo
Juanita-Sanganithy_Whispers
Juanita-Sanganithy_Reflections-at-Dusk

Juanita is an Australian artist who enjoys being immersed in nature, observing the colours, light and textures, and bringing these to life on the canvas. Capturing images from the natural beauty in her surroundings and painting these to incredible detail serves as a meditation for her. Juanita loves to use vibrant colours in her creative work, preferring acrylics to express her style, ranging from realism to abstract.  

 

Juanita is an award winning artist and finalist in numerous Australian and international art competitions, including the Holmes Prize for Excellence in Realistic Australian Bird Art, John Villiers Outback Art Prize, The Doyles, RQAS competitions at Petrie Terrace Gallery, Light Space & Time Online Gallery (Special Recognition Award, Special Merit Award), Grey Cube Gallery (two Honourable Mention Awards), Artist Space Gallery, and Art Room Gallery.

 

Prints: https://www.buyartnow.com.au/juanita-sanganithy

Fb: https://www.facebook.com/JSangArt

Ig: https://www.instagram.com/j_sang_art

Winners – 134th RQAS Members Annual exhibition

The Royal Queensland Art Society would like to congratulate all the winners in the 134th RQAS Members Annual exhibition.

Thanks also to our Judges Todd Whisson, Stephen Newton and Sam Creyton. Please scroll down to view the winning artworks and judges’ comments.

First Prize – Section 1 (Oil and Acrylic)

Brink

by Laura Phillips

JUDGES COMMENTS

Simple, clean, confident and direct.

Second Prize – Section 1 (Oil and Acrylic)

Colourful Corner

by Esther Austin

JUDGES COMMENTS

Great composition! A love of the subject and a good rendition of pictorial space.

 

First Prize – Section 2 (Watercolour)

Kenilworth Pastoral

by Tony Walker

JUDGES COMMENTS

A wonderful combination of wash and sharper marks depicting the landscape. Strong composition and colour.

Second Prize – Section 2 (Watercolour)

Cleveland Grandview

by Katia Strounina

JUDGES COMMENTS

Small but mighty depicting a ‘grand’ view. A delightful invitation to come and sit a while.

First Prize – Section 3 (Photography, Digital Painting and Digital Manipulation)

The Dark Side

by Christine Hall

JUDGES COMMENTS

Motion captured and duplicated with an invitation to explore darker spaces. Great composition and play with light.

Second Prize – Section 3 (Photography, Digital Painting and Digital Manipulation)

Under the Bridge Number 2

by Glenda Markwell

JUDGES COMMENTS

Wonderful digital and analogue exploration. Strong composition and expressive use of colour.

First Prize – Section 4 (Sculpture and 3D Artworks)

Totem Tangle 3

by Jennifer Long

JUDGES COMMENTS

This is a meticulously designed, constructed and presented sculpture. It demonstrates a poetic integration of material and process, and a harmonious balance between the complexity of the process and the spontaneous arrangement of the final composition. The sculpture also has potential to be seen as a model for a much larger public art application.

Second Prize – Section 4 (Sculpture and 3D Artworks)

Let’s Go!

by Katia Strounina

JUDGES COMMENTS

This is an intimate and playful sculpture reminding us of our beloved canine companions, and their spontaneous energy which is always available on command. Let’s Go! demonstrates a consummate understanding of construction, modelling and patina application. The work also balances a knowledge of canine anatomy with a gestural energy that is present in the final form.

First Prize – Section 5 (Drawing, all media)

For You Brother

by Helia Smith

JUDGES COMMENTS

Engaging, emotive and expressive (the three ‘E’s!). Beautiful lines and marks conveying the emotion within.

Second Prize – Section 5 (Drawing, all media)

Amelia

by Belinda Stokes

JUDGES COMMENTS

Expressive and Intimate. The work draws you in and is as if you are reflected in the pupils. Fantastic Technique.

First Prize – Section 6 (2D Artworks, all other media)

The Rockpool

by Charlotte Wensley

JUDGES COMMENTS

Fantastic colour and composition. Wonderful detail and layers forming the rockpool.

Second Prize – Section 6 (2D Artworks, all other media)

Quilted Memory Scape 1

by Jennifer Long

JUDGES COMMENTS

Strong composition and printmaking technique. The grid expands the narrative thread for this lovely work.

First Prize – Section 7 (Pastels)

Accessorise

by Kathy Sullivan

JUDGES COMMENTS

Beautifully crafted and composed. This invitational work elicits the opportunity to ponder with the subject. Where is this avian beauty going?

Second Prize – Section 7 (Pastels)

Blue Haven

by Renuka Russell

JUDGES COMMENTS

Strong composition and colour creating this inviting scene. A light cubist nod to wistful scenes.

Young Artist Excellence Award – Sections 1 and 4

Grandma

by Dorothy Huang

JUDGES COMMENTS

Good Composition! It has a strong feeling of connection to the subject, and it has soul.

Young Artist Excellence Award – Sections 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7

Flora Inferno

by Seth Green

JUDGES COMMENTS

Technically fantastic with expressive composition and colour.

Peoples Choice – Sections 1 and 4

You Can Almost See Forever

by David Ladley

Peoples Choice – Sections 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7

Amelia

by Belinda Stokes

Bridget Bradley

Butterfly 3, Butterfly Series (2023) by Bridget Bradley Original Abstract
Golden Hour I (2024) Original Abstract Painting by Bridget Bradley, front canvas
Rockpool II(2024) Original Abstract Painting by Bridget Bradley

Bridget Bradley, is a contemporary abstract artist and graphite penciller with a passion for painting, particularly in abstract expressionism. Throughout life, Bridget has studied various art techniques, including drawing, etching, printmaking, installation, and painting. Bridget travelled extensively as a Model and worked with Creative Directors who still influence her appreciation of colour and design today. She is skilled at design, blending colours and is known for her unique colour combinations.

Bridget paints intuitively, capturing her raw emotions, sensations, perceptions, and memories from her inner world and environment in the moment to make a connection on an emotionally deep level. She loves to experiment with colour and texture. Bridget often incorporates neon, resulting in vibrant, energetic, and uplifting works. Her influences are diverse, including travel, street art, nature, the mind, outer space, and different cultures. She admires and relates to the works of Jackson Pollock and his experience when painting. Bridget is a multi-award-winning artist, a Finalist, who participates in group exhibitions.

As a published artist, she has been featured in magazines and websites, most recently in Home Design Magazine. Bridget has commissioned and sold to private collectors both in Australia and Internationally and her work is exhibited both across Australia and internationally.

Learn more about Bridget, her art and design via her website: bridgetbradleyart.com
Follow Bridget’s journey on Instagram and Facebook @bridgetbradleyart

Andrew K

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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.

Cemre Atmaca

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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

Storm_Chasing_Final
Homecoming_Kate_Hessling
Tropical_Days

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

Murray River Spirit Tree
Native Spring
Kookaburra- Pen and Ink

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

The Maharaja's Horse
Ladies Who Lunch
Belief - Karen Dyer

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