Exploring
Kelsie, a self-taught painter and qualified graphic designer, now calls Canberra home as she continues her journey in the arts. With a diverse background spanning surface and product design, visual art, and workshop facilitation, Kelsie's artistic pursuits are driven by a profound passion for community engagement and skill-sharing.
Her work is characterized by its emotionally charged nature, reflecting the depth of human experience and the complexities of emotion. Through her art, Kelsie seeks to evoke powerful feelings and provoke thought, inviting viewers to explore the intricacies of their own emotional landscapes.
Her artistic endeavors serve as a platform for bringing people together, creating spaces where individuals can connect, explore, and express themselves freely. Through mentoring programs, workshops in community centers, and volunteering for arts organizations, Kelsie is dedicated to nurturing a sense of belonging and fostering creativity within her community.
In every stroke of paint and design project, Kelsie seeks to ignite inspiration and encourage others to embrace their unique creative voices. Her art is not just about the finished piece; it's about the collective journey of discovery and the bonds formed through shared artistic experiences.
Join Kelsie on a journey of exploration, where art becomes a bridge that unites individuals, transcending boundaries, and celebrating the richness of human expression.
This second exhibition delves into my journey through the second year of motherhood, capturing the emotions, memories, and experiences of this transformative time.Each landscape reflects how motherhood has reshaped not only my daily life but also my artistic practice. My color palette has shifted dramatically - just as my son has grown into his own unique self. Where he once napped on me daily, those moments are now rare, replaced by newfound independence.
Inspired by personal milestones and the beauty of everyday life, these works invite viewers to connect with the emotions embedded in each piece.
Whether it’s the joy of jumping in puddles or the bittersweet final nap on me, each painting serves as a portal to these fleeting, profound moments.
Laying It All On The Table
My name is Hannah Neville and I am the artist behind Hanla Art. I’m a part time urban planner and an every-spare-moment creative living in Canberra. Together with my husband, Cadeyrn, I’ve lived in several Australian cities as well as overseas, but my roots are decidedly rural, having grown up in Condobolin in central west NSW.
My immersion in painting came about during a career hiatus whilst having two children. What started as some much needed 'me-time' quickly became a hobby to consume all of my spare time and has grown from there. I find painting to be about the most effective way to wind back the cortisol levels of motherhood and when I am not painting, I'm soaking upinspiration just about everywhere. Canberra sure does deliver on that front!
Since picking up a paintbrush for the very first time, I've been drawn to a great many subjects and styles, however, I have a strong affinity for creating large pieces which typically feature some combination of semi-abstract florals, landscapes and/or birds. These larger pieces appeal to me because of the scale of impact they can have in a room - I am a lover of all things design and an interior that flows from a piece of original art is music to my soul. That being said, I can't resist a nursery mini or five every once in a while, and often wonder whether I will ever be the sort of artist that finds a lane and sticks to it!
Not only is each piece in this collection nestled playfully in a table setting, this exhibition has been curated with a looming sense of nervous excitement, a chance to bare and share the inner workings of my latest personal flavour of creativity. With bold colours and striking stripes, it represents the courage of creatives (even those of us with raging imposter syndrome and a 'day job') when putting our work out into the world for all to see.
Sticking to my signature love of colour and fun, this collection celebrates some of my usual subjects; florals, foliage and birds but in a lesser explored setting throughout my practice; tablescapes and still life settings. Some pieces were inspired simply by my local surroundings here in Canberra; a drive home from work observing stark white gums against lively green canopies and a stormy summer sky or a happy encounter with a Crimson Rosella in my front yard, while others came about as a product of my love of a good pun. Lemon zest and sulfur crest must surely take the cake!
Travelscapes
A selection of collagraphs, woodblock prints, screenprints, scanned water colour sketches and photographs taken during a number of different trips.
Featherscapes were inspired by a trip to the Canadian Rockies. I enjoyed creating the printing plates utilising mix media, each containing feathers. Each print is individual.
While traveling I take a sketch book and set of watercolour paints, to complete quick sketches.
Sue Boettcher
The Cosy Collection
Explore all the cosy art created by artist Julia Butler of French Rose Studios.
Inspired by the cosy moments of life, like a warm cup of tea, the glow of golden hour or a crackling fire, you’re invited to take some time to reflect and see what the artworks make you think of and what cosy moments you can identify in your life.
In creating this collection Julia delved deep into the notion of 'cosy' which means giving a feeling of comfort, warmth and relaxation. Searching for the cosy moments in her life and capturing these has brought such calm to her life and she hopes that in witnessing this collection you can experience these emotions as well, connecting with her art.
All the artworks in this collection were created by Julia, the artist behind French Rose Studios. She’s a regular working Australian with a deep love for art.
Julia believes art can be truly therapeutic. Whether we're creating it or simply looking at it, art can inspire us, prompt reflection and be an escape. Julia hopes that no matter who is viewing it and no matter the subject, that you can connect with her art in your own special way.
Julia's art has always leaned towards classical and realist styles, dabbling in some abstraction to capture the energy and feeling behind an artwork. Over recent years her art has evolved into a 'cottage cosy' style that she has harnessed in this latest collection.
Counterpoise
Celebrating the rich interconnected stories of the natural world and collective memory.
In their work, Kath and Karen invite viewers to re-visit personal memories, creating a tapestry of emotional responses that honour both the beauty of the past and the impermanence of the present.
I Am I - Annie Pritchard Art
Annie is a Canberra based artist, painting in acrylics. She uses subjects that allow her to communicate her fascination with colour and pattern through a combination realism and abstraction.
Her latest works explore how human expression, whether through eye contact, a pose or a piece of clothing can act as armour, especially for women. ‘Eye contact in particular is such a vulnerable experience yet such a powerful way in which to communicate. Fashion choices can also affect the psyche. There is so much to be said without actually saying it.’
I AM I
Who are you?
“There’s a line in one of my favourite films “The King" (2019, directed by David Michod). A court official challenges the King’s friend Hal, asking ‘Who are you?’. Hal retorts ‘I am I’. It packs a punch. Such a powerful, all knowing, simple statement.
Who do you think you are? Does it change based on what you think others think of you, which in fact might not what they think at all. Knowing who you are is as much about knowing who you are not.
Is the concept of self based in fact?
Is there truth in defining who you are? If others think of you differently, in contradicting ways, where is the truth to who you are?
The pronoun to ‘I’ is used by a speaker to refer to oneself.
The verb ‘am’ is simply a different version of the verb ‘be’.
Knowing who you are and being who you are, are two very different things.
Who are you?
I am I
I be I
I be me.