Paint Forever!

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

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.