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.

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

Helen says on her own practice, “I consider myself a Modern/Contemporary artist, and have been so since I was about 12 years old. I have had lessons in contemporary painting, and life drawing, and have exhibited six times in Brisbane since May 2010; mostly with other artists, but once solo. I have also designed and painted two murals for Qld Fire Service, two Brisbane cafes, and I have both painted, drawn, designed, and continue to complete digital artwork for a commercial Brisbane client.

I also write and self publish children’s stories illustrating them digitally, and with pen and watercolour drawings.

A Grandmother, my family/art life is balanced on a “what’s happening today” basis. I was born in New Zealand and have lived in Brisbane for 33 years.”