Paint Forever!
Artists Palette|No 171
Happiness in creating something she is passionate about is the motivation for this talented painter who would love to become a well-known wildlife artist.
Denise Smith
Paint Forever!

Born in Melbourne in 1947, I was brought up in an average household with no real art background – although my Dad would doodle from time to time and draw ladies’ heads with big hats. I became interested in drawing too; and often doodled myself.

I have an early memory of taking Christmas holidays at a Thagoona farm in New South Wales. That was when my passion for animals began. I wouldn’t miss collecting the eggs every morning on the farm. Those eggs were hard to find (they were in very well hidden places).

I remember entering the Corinella Competition in the ‘Melbourne Sun’ newspaper every Saturday. I won quite a few certificates for my colouring prowess.

My school days gave me happy memories of art and not much else. I really didn’t like school very much, but always came back to drawing and the social aspects. In the later stages of school, I recall that art classes were held on Saturday mornings and I revelled in getting up early to catch the bus.

On leaving school at age 15, I opted for a secretarial career. Years went by and I didn’t really think much about my art, although I still managed to sketch from time to time.

In 1986, my sketching was noticed by a co-worker who asked me to draw a portrait from a photograph. This encouraged me to seek out some lessons, and my passion was re-ignited. I really didn’t have a clue how to apply paint to a surface, so realised I was starting from scratch.

Denne historien er fra No 171-utgaven av Artists Palette.

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Denne historien er fra No 171-utgaven av Artists Palette.

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FLERE HISTORIER FRA ARTISTS PALETTESe alt
Eye of Observation
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
6 mins  |
No 172
Pelicans To Portraits
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
5 mins  |
No 172
Gregory John Brennan: Lost Profession
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
3 mins  |
No 172
Pastels: Once We Were Important
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
4 mins  |
No 172
Fibre Art
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
5 mins  |
No 172
Water Lily Magic
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
2 mins  |
No 172
Loading Wheat – 1920s
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
1 min  |
No 172
‘Jama' – King Cheetah
Artists Palette

‘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.

time-read
5 mins  |
No 172
Blahuta's Ute
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
4 mins  |
No 172
Artists Palette

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.

time-read
7 mins  |
No 172