Hours Of Observing

This lady believes that few artists have lucky breaks. Success requires buckets of discipline and plenty of hard work … but she stresses that if you are really passionate about creating, you should do it for the right reasons.

- Trevor Lang

Tanzania in East Africa was Louise Derry’s birthplace. Her home these days is in far north Queensland. She has earned an arts degree in ‘Art, Design and Technology’ which combined a variety of art modules including pottery; printmaking; fabrics; silversmithing and jewellery; woodwork; and art history.

“I specialised in painting in my final year,” she admits. “I wasted much of my college time as I was far more interested in my newfound freedom and independence – being away from home.

What I do today is the result of simply doing it; trial and error; and learning through the process. And I have many more learning years to go. Over a few years I have also done several workshops with various artists who I admire.”

Louise has always loved and admired artists’ ability to paint and has always had the urge to do so herself.

“I’ve always loved colour,” she reveals. “But I did not commit heavily to painting until recently. I have done this with the support of my husband. It really began in 2003, when I held my first solo show at Nature’s Powerhouse in Cooktown. A friend encouraged me to apply for a grant, to give me a stepping stone to put on a show.”

“I have sold my work successfully for an income for several years,” she continues. “However, in the last year or so, sales have declined with the closure of three galleries which I was involved with. With reduced outlets, it is hard to show and sell my work. Art is a luxury item, too; and I guess this current economic climate is reflected in reduced sales.”