From the beach to the bush and back
Artworks by Graham Mackie

Artist Graham Mackie has an obvious connection and understanding with the diverse nature of landscape evident in his new solo exhibition at arthouse australia in Yamba. Graham a professional local artist of more than 20 years has focused his creative thoughts and endeavours during the past year towards this project.

The exhibition titled ‘ from the beach to the bush and back again' conjures up in all of us landscapes that we hold dear, we remember and recognise as part of our identity. Graham has produced a diverse range of works, drawings, photographs and paintings that provide a visual delight to celebrate the landscape.

To glimpse a landscape interpreted in a lively and energetic portrayal of not only colour, but line, shape and form make this exhibition a must see. His drawing techniques inspire confidence not only in his technique but his artistic insights. The skilful use of light and dark and his delicate touch makes all his landscapes a pleasure to view.

When standing in front of any of Graham's images you can be swept away with the diversity of views the artist has portrayed. The work entitled “Clarence River Junction” has made an enticing view of the river and its division. His brush strokes and use of colour add to the appeal of this inspiring image.

The exhibition allows us to be party to his creative process and invites us to discover more and more about Grahams response to colour and line. These dominant aspects of his technique are evident throughout the body of work in the exhibition.

The exhibition opens on Friday June 30 at 6pm, please RSVP. If you cannot make the opening come and view the works between 9am and 5pm weekdays, Saturday 10am to 2pm or by appointment. This exhibition is not to be missed.

- Local Clarence Valley Artists on show

Some visual artists have a lot to discuss about their work and their attitude towards art. Other artists are keen to allow their work to speak for themselves. 13 local artists who form the group Defying Gravity have been working over the last few months finalizing their art work that is being exhibited at arthouse australia until 8 January.

Consider the diversity of views from the Defying Gravity 13. The attitudes they have are as complex as the individuals in the group. Meeting as an art collective over the past 12 months, has provided a sound basis for the artists to develop, share ideas, criticism and most of all to create a supportive artistic environment for all members.

Kerrie Exley's imagery is conceptual and provides us with a range of questions that we have to work at to answer. Her visual play with text, life issues and texture provide an interesting and serendipitous approach to her art making. Whereas Mason Brown's allows the viewer to view aspects of life that she has loved throughout her life. Her landscapes have been inspired by memories and by the intuitive marks that she makes.

“Let your light shine through” a motto that has provided Lou Larder with a very clear starting point to her visual activities. The combination of water colour and lino block printing produces an interesting visual contrast of colour and light. Caitlin Gaia has much to use as a basis for her mixed media art. She has a very real respect for our environment and issues that have an impact upon her life. The images have a strong design sense with considered use of colour and line.

Gillian Munday captures a time of day that many of us miss. The pre-dawn inspires Gillians attention, and she becomes inspired to the detail in environments. A myriad of hues, shapes, shadows and life burst forth in her work and provide a focus upon visual elements in the landscape. Henk Kaptein enjoys the whole process of art. His technique is diverse and reflects a love of pushing his art in many directions.

Kerrie Speirs

A close study and analysis of her immediate environment has provided artist Kerrie Speirs with the motivation and dedication to create works for her first solo exhibition Crossing ocean - Crossing earth . This exhibition portrays a connectedness and passion with an environment which has been the inspiration to create a wealth of visual imagery.

Kerrie Speirs' current series of paintings illustrates native wildlife, the coastal environment; from a backyard, into the rainforest and onto the beaches.

“I feel so privileged to exist in an environment of untouched beauty, everyday a witness, to nature and its abundance” muses Kerrie.

Kerrie has lived and worked in Iluka for fifteen years after having moved from the Big Smoke - Sydney and felt that the move was a major contributor to her development as an artist.

Kerrie hopes her work will encourage people to become more aware of the unique, fragile and beautiful environment; and that her five year old daughter, Olivia and her generation, will be able to benefit from our treatment and respect of our environment.

The fifth and final year of a Bachelor of Visual Arts at Southern Cross University, Lismore, has paved the way for Kerrie to become a full time professional artist.

“My techniques are based on experimentation and I am striving to find the right combination of effects to express my message. The use of mixed media has been a major aspect of my work and I have developed a technique of staining canvas and creating multiple layers - from collaging paper to acrylic paint, mixed with pastels.”

The effects Kerrie has achieved allow not only for a visual tapestry of layers but also an insightful understanding of the development of techniques with her selected media.

Kerrie has a focus on not only her own work but also the development of community art. She plans to share her ideas, skills and experiences with other artists - in particular young artists, who are enthusiastic and eager to develop their artistic talents.

“Artists have a role to allow people to see the unseen, and also to help support our creative young artists”.

Crossing earth - Crossing oceans , Kerrie Speirs' first solo exhibition will begin on the 27 June and continue until 31 July at arthouse Australia , 25 coldstream street, Yamba. Call Arthouse Australia for any further details on 6646 1999