Art Chat

Painting cats is something very new for me, but I found the challenge very interesting! My first response was to research the history of the bond between people and cats.

The fire was lit when I heard the poem Pangur Ban (the White Cat) which gave me a greater understanding of how close our relationship has been with these little animals, and just about for ever….As the poem illustrates, the illustrator  and scholar  working on the illuminated manuscripts by candle light and Pangur Ban his sole companion, the cat, keeping his environment free of pests . They are both looking after each other’s interests and the scholar’s biggest need is the companionship offered by the sleek, purring, lightning- like assailant of the small inhabitants behind the monastery walls!

The second inspiring moment arrived just before Christmas when my daughter’s Tom cat (apparently) gave birth to a litter of kittens.

Archie my grandson, aided and abetted by granddaughter Sarah, organised a fitting and proper and very comfortable nursery for the tiny newcomers……on the best chair in the house! It was all pink and grand until, with only one kitten left, the temporary protective seat cover was removed ….. unveiling the fact, it had been very ineffective.

Eight weeks later…….

The next painting, I made was “The Last Man Standing”. As the other kittens had now gone to new home, the chair had to be reupholstered and is showing off the family’s brand-new addition, the one no one else wanted.  Jeffery is pictured-proudly sitting on his new blue chair.

“We’ve Found Her”

Hands up any parent who hasn’t heard that triumphant and highly emotional cry!

Everyone’s looked for the missing kitten without success and just when you think everything’s really good the cry rings out…….oh! such joy.

With the other paintings my aim was to capture the “essence “of cat.  Tom speaks for himself, Pangur and friends depicts the subject with his chums doing what cats do and of course Autolicus, fierce proud and aloof.

I think AlOOf is the essence of cat!

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Cats – a small domesticated carnivorous mammal with soft fur, a short snout, and retractile claws. In this case, an exhibition featuring this much-loved animal like you’ve never seen before. Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane is set to open its doors on Saturday 9 February for a CAT-tastic Exhibition featuring all things feline. This exhibition
is sure to excite cat lovers and art lovers alike, with nearly the entire stable of artists contributing their Puurrrrfect artworks.
We hope we haven’t caught you CAT-napping because CATS THE EXHIBITION, is about to begin. With a selection of paintings, etchings, ceramics, glass and sculpture there is sure to be something to tickle your whiskers for every cat lover out there. We can’t wait for this CAT-astrophe to begin! The Puurrrrfect way to kick start the Red Hill Gallery 2019 Exhibition Calendar. We’re FELINE Fabulous with excitement!

CATS – the exhibition – ON FEBRUARY AT RED HILL GALLERY – CLICK HERE

Red Hill Gallery is located at 61 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, Brisbane QLD, and is open seven days.

With the lead up to Christmas well on its way, Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane is set to encapsulate and excite all who visit with an exhibition featuring not one, but four of our fabulous femme fatales. Opening on Saturday 1 December Danielle McManus, Denise Murray, Christine Reilly and Simonn Schumacher combine to showcase a visually inspiring collection of artworks.

Intertwining experiences from everyday life with her Maltese heritage, Danielle McManus produces superbly whimsical artworks and ceramics. Relying on the beauty of the landscape as a constant backdrop, her inspiration at present is drawn from everyday life. Her three children provide her with a constant stream of ideas and that along with the changing seasons of the Hunter Valley, and the birds and fauna there, supply more than enough material! Whether fictional or based on real life events McManus’s love of story telling is evident in her colourful, figurative offerings.

For Denise Murray, her sculptures use form and expression to communicate. Body language has always held a fascination for her and the message received is immediate and without guile. Murray’s Dancer series is a celebration of the joy of life, the figures are pared down to the essentials, giving expression to the limbs. With a stunning collection including Welded Bronze Sculptures, Limited Edition Bronze Sculptures and Cold Cast Bronze Sculptures, each artwork is a feast for the eyes.

With over 35 years’ experience both in front of and behind the canvas, Christine Reilly is a respected and imaginative Queensland artist. The figurative work in this collection has come together, marrying in part Reilly’s observation, people watching, memory, imagination and some photography, for reference. She strives to portray all her characters with colour and movement making them come alive on the canvas. Her work
demonstrates a long-held love of travel and chronicles not only the progression of her subjects and style but also her own journey as an artist and woman.

Having drawn ever since she was a young girl, Simonn Schumacher has exhibited worldwide. After a life of travelling overseas on one venture or another, she studied under the tuition of Michael John Taylor in Lismore and feels that the greatest lesson learned during this time, was to paint what you feel and not to think too much, as this has the ability to block the natural flow of creativity. This is evidenced in her highly distinctive and
individual style with her luscious, sassy and often soulful paintings.

‘La Femme’ showcases the stunning artwork of four very talented female artists and is set to take centre stage at Red Hill Gallery in the lead up to Christmas. Each artist brings their own uniqueness and vibrant colour palettes to what is set to be a stunning feast for the eyes.

In this fine art TV show episode Adrienne Williams is interviewed with Colour In Your Life about painting, drawing, art workshops, art tips and art techniques.

My proposal is to sculpt and mimic nature by weaving pulled glass cane through existing human artefacts and natural vines in the forest. Art can mimic nature, by seeking to visually replicate objects as they appear in real life. Art can open our eyes to the intricacy and beauty of the natural world. It is a challenge to express our complex human connection to nature. The artwork proposes to draw attention to this complex relationship. Pulled glass canes mimic the vines and plants which cover an old coal sieve, which remains, slowly rusting away in the rainforest. This work has the ability to interact with and educate the viewer about what miners used to do in the forest, spreading awareness about their lives. We feel an instinctual need to take care of the things we feel connected to. Often in our busy lives, we seem to take some of the important things for granted. History is an important factor for me, learning about the past and its connection to my life now.

Produced by KFM Media

Kayo Yokoyama – at Red Hill Gallery 2018

Internationally acclaimed watercolourist Joseph Zbukvic and hand-etched contemporary glass artist Kayo Yokoyama reunite for their bi-annual Solo exhibitions at Red Hill Gallery, Brisbane on Friday 9 November 2018.

A leading master of the watercolour medium of his time, Joseph Zbukvic’s impressive achievements and enormous success is due to his ability to transform any subject into visual poetic language. Covering infinite subjects, his sensitive, lyrical and atmospheric paintings have captured people and galleries from all over the world. For Zbukvic, the last two years have been extremely busy with much travel and many new ventures, particularly in China, where he has become somewhat of a celebrity. The Chinese invented watercolours and have embraced Zbukvic with total devotion. However, he never forgets his supporters and faithful followers in Australia, and always sets aside those special pieces for his bi-annual show at Red Hill.

For contemporary glass artist Kayo Yokoyama, her work centres on the theme of home. This specific collection, entitled ‘Secret Garden’, quotes the same title as the ever popular book by Frances Hodgson Burnett. “If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” This is how Yokoyama sees her world sometimes. From her perspective, you have to nurse it, admire it, otherwise the world won’t be there in the future. With a love of English literature and the meanings that can be found in-between the lines, Yokoyama quotes “At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they see it can be done – then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago”.

Enchanting… Dreamlike… Starry-eyed… each aptly describes Starr’s latest collection of artworks, recently gathered in her latest solo exhibition ‘Stardust’.

On Friday 12 October Red Hill Gallery will open its doors with an enchanting explosion of colour. We invite art lovers and collectors alike to discover her artistic talents, with their very own ‘starry eyes’.

Starr has been painting her entire life, and has been selling her bright, romantic and energetic works for nearly as long. She reflects a sense of Expressionist movement, with a modern twist. Embedded with a sense of immediacy, Starr’s works invite the viewer to recognise the beauty and importance of every moment, whether these be in the bustling cities of Brisbane, Paris, London, and New York, or in the entrancing landscapes of Starr’s own imagination. Her rapidly expanding career has propelled her worldwide; with works being exhibited and collected in Australia, Asia, Europe and the United States.

This October’s ‘Stardust’ exhibition extends from Starr’s previous ‘Wanderlust’ show, which revealed a passionate love for towering cityscapes, and includes her brand-new Tiffany & Co. series. The figurative, still-life and fantasy showcased in each painting, eagerly arise in one of Starr’s most exciting shows yet.“Vincent van Gogh once said, ‘Go out and paint the stars,’ and that quote was the inspiration that has been inside me while painting this entire body of work. I have taken that advice both literally, in my series of starscapesand almost enchantingly, as it feels as though my every brushstroke has been undertaken in a dream-like state.” – Starr

https://vimeo.com/112767924

Every work of art has its own intrinsic qualities that will inform your reading of it.
What is it about? What is happening here? What is your interpretation?

On Friday 7 September, Red Hill Gallery is set to open its doors for another powerhouse exhibition by Queensland artist Dean Reilly. His colourful and diverse new collection ‘Exhibition Untitled; layers of meaning’ is incredibly bold, yet offers a thought-provoking insight into pop culture and 20th-century modern art.

In recent years, Reilly has been named a finalist in two of Australia’s most prestigious Art Awards, the Archibald Prize and the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize. With several very successful solo and group exhibitions, his paintings are part of many significant collections from both Australia and worldwide.

As a classically trained artist and graduate of the Australian Design College, Reilly’s works are highly acclaimed for their style, design and variation. Currently studying a double degree at Curtin University in Fine Arts and Visual Culture, this new critical and reflective thinking is vastly evident in Reilly’s artwork as he enters a completely new level of curiosity. It is for these reasons he is rapidly becoming one of Australia’s sought-after artists as his unique paintings continue to delight.

“My practice ranges across many styles, underpinned by my graduate studies. It represents a search for ideas that can represent modern life and the human condition. Through the exhibition “Untitled” I am experimenting with the idea of personal interpretation. I have removed my own didactical interpretations to allow the viewer to be guided by their visual experience. Hopefully this will deliver an experience unique to them as they are empowered to create their own layers of meaning.” Dean Reilly

Showcasing the new work of Queensland artist, Todd Whisson, ‘A Time and Place’ is sure to captivate a broad range of art lovers in what is set to be a mesmerizing month at Red Hill Gallery, Musgrave Road, Brisbane. The Exhibition opens in the Gallery on Friday 8 June.

 Todd WHISSON is a successful Australian impressionist artist who has been exhibiting for a number of years. Whisson’s work has a very loose and spontaneous feel to it, something that emerges from his passion for Alla Prima and Plein Air. His exceptional skill with traditional techniques shines through in his most recent work, by taking on a more abstract approach Whisson has been able to communicate more than just a visual representation of a time and place. The paintings featured in this collection include not only stunning land and seascapes but also still life.

“Maybe you’re standing in a place where the sky and the mountains are very dramatic, the trees have incredible colour and the water is vibrant.  You have to decide what you want your painting to be about, render that element most important, and then paint everything else to support it.” Todd Whisson

Todd Whisson’s Exhibition ‘A Time and Place’ will open on Friday 8 June and continue until Sunday 24 June 2018 at Red Hill Gallery, 61 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, Queensland.

The Exhibition is now previewing in the Gallery and Sales commence prior to opening.

©  Red Hill Gallery

March is set to explode at Red Hill Gallery, Musgrave Road, Brisbane; with an astounding exhibition titled “By the Brush” that features artworks by Karen Atkins, Julie Hutchings and Emma Sheldrake. Opening on Friday 9 March 2018 this hot to trot posse of female artists have created a breathtaking collection of fantastical paintings that are sure to imprint on art lovers minds.

Karen ATKINS visionary series encapsulates the ideal of ‘Lost Girls and Found Things’. This series started its life thinking about Alice, and how confronted by difficult situations and not always knowing where she was, she used her brawn and her charm to find her way through. As Alice falls down the proverbial rabbit hole she ends up in Australia and this birthed the “Alice in Gondwanaland” series.

Julie HUTCHINGS paintings are inspired by the human form, often conveying an emotional journey of adventure and imagination. Her work is born from a deep personal mindset which reflects not only on the past but on current situations. Built from layers of paint and descriptive marks, Hutchings work is expressive and impressionistic in approach, with a combination of poetic colour wash and sensitive drawing.

Emma SHELDRAKE harks back to old her inspirations in ‘birds of a feather,’ coupling vibrant species of birds with the seductive nature of the female face in a series of striking montages. These works represent a resurgence of her pop style featuring bold brush strokes, subtle drips and vivid imagery. Each painting emits its own quirky and retro vibe, pushing the artistic boundaries and giving insight into the happenings of Sheldrake’s thoughts.

‘By the Brush’ incorporates artwork from three very different artists and brings together a kaleidoscope of colour, individual styles, and a passion for the artistic world each inhabit. “It is wonderful to see women with a strong sense of style that appeal to a broad and ever evolving art loving market.” Margaret Campbell-Ryder, Gallery Director. Collectively the bold and adventurous use of colour completes this fantastical exhibition.

‘By The Brush” will conclude on Sunday March 25 2018. If you’re in Brisbane or happen to be visiting during the month of March, make sure you add this to you list of things to see.

©  Red Hill Gallery

Paintings from highly-esteemed artist, Graeme Stevenson OAM, will be featured in his Major Solo Exhibition at Brisbane’s Red Hill Gallery on Friday 1 December 2017.

Originally from New South Wales, Graeme Stevenson left a promising career as a paramedic when he was a young man to attain his pilot’s licence and travel the globe. With a passion for wildlife, nature and natural forms, Stevenson started creating art of the local flora and fauna during his travels. His lifelong interests in birds lead to his renowned illustrations for the book The Atlas of Parrots, which is still featured in the Natural History Museums of London, New York and Paris.

Once referred to as a “Master Artist” by US Art magazine, Stevenson is well known for his creation of the popular TV show, Colour in Your Life. The show features artists from around the globe and the program has helped to promote the fine art industry throughout the world. Stevenson also founded the Paint your Life Foundation in 2015, and on Australia Day 2017 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his contributions to the Arts within our borders and abroad.

His paintings reflect influences of realism, expressionism and surrealism, and have been purchased by numerous art collectors and celebrities, including the former US President Bill Clinton. The artwork created for Stevenson’s upcoming exhibition ‘The Attitude of Colour’ reflects on things he believes are still most important in our world, the beauty of the natural world and feminine form.

Red Hill Gallery is honoured to be showcasing the outstanding artwork from entrepreneur and talented artist Graeme Stevenson OAM. ‘The Attitude of Colour’ will be on Exhibition from Friday 1 December and will conclude on Sunday 17 December 2017.

©  Red Hill Gallery

Paintings from the highly-cultured and renowned Australian artist, Regina Noakes, will be featured in her new exhibition Small Windows at Brisbane’s Red Hill Gallery, 61 Musgrave Road, Red Hill from Friday 3 November 2017.

An award-winning, well-travelled and experienced artist, Regina Noakes’ career spans over 21 years and 45 solo exhibitions. Her work has been featured in Australia, Italy, USA and Malaysia, and is influenced by an array of sources – religious and tribal, Romanesque and Mughal art, and her own life experiences.

Regina’s artwork is governed by a surrealist and lyrical style, which has been a part of her creative vision since she first came in contact with a Surrealism magazine at the age of sixteen. With an appreciation for the ‘marvellous’, and the conflict between internal and external worlds, it is her instinct to create figurative work of great symbolism and emotional richness.

“Noakes achieves this by setting up a calmly ethereal parallel world, often through the masterful use of colour. Everything in this other place is alive with resonance and filled with swirling energy. No wonder the eyes of the model are always slightly bulbous with a kind of childish wonderment.” ~ John T. Spike, Art Critic

Red Hill Gallery is pleased to present this exquisite new body of artwork from an original artist such as Regina Noakes, and to offer art enthusiasts the unique opportunity to view and own paintings of remarkable narrative quality.

‘Small Windows’ is on show until Sunday 19 November and is not to be missed.

©  Red Hill Gallery

Remembering her Life from Dean Rusling I first met Glenys about 25 years ago; she rocked into the Foundry one day with a job to do for her and that was the start of many adventures with her Work. At that time she was a client but as the years went on, like a lot of my Clients, we became friends, except I feel Glenys had become a best friend. She had spent 20 years entwining herself within the fabric of the Foundry, my family, my kids and my grandkids. For years she worked for Brisbane Council in the Land and Parks (I think it was) and then around 2006 stopped work to be a full time carer for her very sick Mum. After the passing of her Mum she did go back to work for a while but then opted to retire early.

She was bit of a collector too, investing in other fine arts as well. Glenys’ other pastime was simply going to the plaza: lol! She had so many little trinkets at home, and her back yard had many a windmill, or some Solar charged light gizmo thingy for the night time display in her back yard, or something hanging off her clothes line where the wind would generate a movement in the piece.

My trips to Glenys’ place always resulted in coming away with more than I took there; there was always a bag of chips or nuts or lollies plus a drink for my trip home! Her studio was her dining room table, always something going on there. The table was always full of jars of brushes and sculpting tools; eyes and bits and pieces lying around with bits of wire etc. But, undoubtedly, you couldn’t have had a meal ever at the table for Sculpture accessories. And then, always right in the middle of the table with a bag over it, was her next work of art being produced in clay.

Her sculpting career has as per every other sculptor I’m sure – had it’s up and downs from : “I can’t sculpt, my work is crap…bla bla bla” to the always “well, I mean it this time Dean: I’m giving up sculpting, I’m not doing it anymore” – my answers were always “Ok! What are you making next”.

Glenys’ main Gallery has always been Redhill Gallery where she was much loved and respected. We even had a joint exhibition one year there at the gallery. She has done commissions for Redhill with the most prominent one being a large hairy nose wombat. She also did a large sculpture of a koala which sits outside the entrance to the Noosa National Park. Glenys was always involved in sculpture comps and our rivalry over trying to beat each other was always worth a laugh.

Her generosity outweighed everything I think. She gave a way as much sculpture as she sold. She loved the fact that someone would like her Work and thought it worthy of a purchase. I think out of all of it, that was the buzz in her life – that someone wanted her Sculptures: she always felt they weren’t good enough. Yet I think, if you tallied up her achievements by sales, she did make professional status as a sculptor. I felt she was very knowledgeable as well, across a broad spectrum, not just about art. We would converse on many different subjects at length. She had travelled a fair bit in her life; going to different countries checking out Sculpture wherever she went.

But man, could she talk on the phone! She would always finish by “well, I better let you get back to work” – which would follow with another question! Haha.

But above all though, Glenys was generous to whoever came into her life, whether it was her neighbours of many years, or the lawn mower man, or her own family, she was kind and forever helpful. I will miss her for sure. And even though the ever-present feeling of her still being here will pass, her memories for me will never go from my mind!

She has blessed my life for the good.

Written by Dean Rusling   ©  Red Hill Gallery

My name is Pierre Bernabeu, I have the great pleasure of launching my book “Words of Love on a Palette of Provence” at Red Hill Gallery which I wrote for my wife, Louise. Our love started in 1964 when swimming in the Mediterranean sea, I noticed a pedal boat with 3 young women on board so I pretended I was drowning and saw the pedal boat coming towards me. On board a young woman gave me her hand and I instantly noticed her blue eyes and I said to myself I have to know more about her. In 1967 we got married and the rest is history.

We got married in Nice, South of France. We left France for New Caledonia, in 1970 our daughter Barbara was born and in 1973 our son, Gregory. During that time I had an interest for movie making, I went back to France to get my editing certificate, back in New Caledonia the political situation had changed and we thought there was no future in that country. My wife wanted to go back to France, I said ok but what if we stayed in Australia for 3 years and that’s what we did.

I was working in Sydney at Colorfilm as a film synchroniser. I worked on films such as Gallipoli, Mad Max and Man from Snowy river and painted in the attic in our house in Paddington. After 3 years it was time to leave Australia as promised, we stayed in France 3 months and came back to Sydney. We moved to the Gold Coast bought a house and settled definitely in this beautiful country we call home.

I had my first exhibition in Noosa than Red Hill Gallery in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, New Caledonia, Paris and Spain. Our daughter found love, got married and gave us our wonderful grandson, Oliver. Our son, Gregory is still searching for someone special.

Having suffered a stroke a few years back has slowed me down but hasn’t taken away my passion for my wife, family and  painting. I decided to write “Words of Love on a Palette of Provence” for my beautiful wife. I always say she is the best wife I ever had and for our 40th wedding anniversary the all family joined us on the P&O Pacific Sun where we renewed our vows. We danced to Ray Charles’ song Georgia, my son tied up some cans and wrote a “Just Married” sign behind my wheelchair. Back to our cabin and the rest is not your business.

I tell you a little secret to love, make sure you tell your love one the 3 words ” I love you ” when you go to bed and wake up and as many times as you want during the day. It will make for a long happy marriage, a few paintings and love words in between can’t hurt. I have had the great pleasure of publishing this book, life is short let’s live it to the fullest and enjoy every moment together. I hope my book will bring you joy and love.

Pierre

Please join the Red Hill Gallery team along with Pierre and his family on Saturday 25 November 2017 between 1 and 3pm for the launch and signing of his new book at Red Hill Gallery, 61 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, Brisbane.

©  Red Hill Gallery