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.”
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Denne historien er fra No 170-utgaven av Artists Palette.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Eye of Observation
Draw, draw, and draw some more; develop your artist’s eye of observation. Sterling advice from a lady who believes that seeing shapes in paintings requires a truly ‘arty’ eye.
Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes … and even a Scottish piper.
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Looking back on his early career as a bulldozer driver, this rural New South Wales painter laments the days when he was too young to appreciate his outstanding potential as an artist.
Pastels: Once We Were Important
A simplified and well named painting tells a powerful and interesting story. This clever pastel artist is delighted to share her techniques for the benefit of others.
Fibre Art
This artist feels that the hardest lesson she had to learn was to believe in herself … and once she did that, everything started to fall into place and her confidence grew.
Water Lily Magic
Instead of paper and paint, this artist uses fabric and threads … and she uses a sewing machine instead of a brush. The textures, colours and prints of fabrics thrown together with threads fascinate her, and often give inspiration for her designs.
Loading Wheat – 1920s
It is rare to see an artist displaying this level of skill and understanding in capturing the activity and atmosphere of bygone days from Australia’s agricultural history.
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
This exquisitely talented lady believes that every artist has failures … but it is important to remember that every success is better than the one before.
Blahuta's Ute
Early in the year we ran a feature about ‘Utes in the Paddock’ – a landmark project by several notable artists. In this article, one of those artists shares his story and some of his views … and describes the process of creating his own piece of an amazing collaborative work.
Artists' Easels
Many important tools are employed by artists in creating their paintings. Artists’ easels are now available in a host of styles and configurations to enhance the creative process. Some of your favourite art materials suppliers are more than pleased to highlight a selection of the many products being offered.
