blueBanksia

Born in Guildford Surrey in the UK in 1950, Bill trained initially as a Design Draftsman. He has painted professionally since 1980 and has had over 30 solo and group exhibitions He has travelled widely, painting and surfing and now lives near Yallingup in the South-West of Western Australia.

Bill exhibits regularly in Australia. He has shown work at Abney Gallery in New York and had a solo exhibition at Gallery 90 in the UK.

Australian Wilderness Artist

During the recent Mitchell School of Arts, we had the pleasure of meeting Robyn Collier as she was running a workshop in the room next door. The workshop was called Working with Water. As the week progressed the days became hotter… I really enjoyed popping into Robyn’s class as the art works depicted stunning water scenes. Some waves could almost be touched and I longed to dive into them! 

Coloured pencils have been my passion ever since I was re-introduced to them as a ‘serious medium’ while at Uni, while I’ve always loved graphite – Janet M

Janet’s brilliant use of coloured pencils and graphite has justifiably placed her in the forefront of artists using her chosen medium and her realistic, detailed and gentle drawings of animals and birds full of personality and humour, are keenly collected in Australia and overseas. 

Art has always played a part in my life - sometimes all consuming, sometimes pushed aside because of other commitments.

Born in Kojonup, a town in Western Australia's south west, the only child of parents who operated a bakery and tea rooms, much of my childhood was spent finding things to occupy myself.

I have always loved drawing and we were fortunate enough to have a “resident artist", Mr. Battie, who (I suspect as a favour to my mother) agreed to give me lessons.

Well known Katoomba artist John Ellison holds regular workshops in Art & Creativity. Over the years John has established a reputation as an innovative & original teacher in the field of creativity.

In her book 'An Authentic Life', Carolyn Jones commented, 'The Blue Mountains artist John Ellison thinks along the same lines. He teaches people to see with this inner eye.

Judith White trained at the National Art School, gained a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Fine Arts through Sydney University, and is a member of the Australian Watercolour Institute. Judith has been a practicing professional for 30 years with 38 solo exhibitions in Australia, and Japan.

Workshops held at the Silken Tent, in Braidwood, NSW

Gill Burke trained at Hastings School of Art, UK, more years ago than she cares to remember. She then worked as a Scenic Artist, painting theatre scenery for Repertory Theatre, film sets and pantomime backcloths. From then on however, Gill’s career path took many and various turns until it circled back to art again.