- Elke Ahokas
- Alice Chehovski
- Susan Czermak
- Trish Delmenico
- Jeanette Dyke
- Grace Garton
- Faye De Pasquale
- Brett Ditchfield
Elke Ahokas
Elke Ahokas studied bookbinding in Australia and Finland and has 14 years of bookbinding experience specialising in custom hand bookbinding and book repair. Elke's Bookbinding studio is based in the leafy north eastern Melbourne suburb of Hurstbridge.
Elke specialises in fine leather bindings, wedding albums, menus, portfolios, historical bindings, artist books, book repairs and restoration.
Private tuition is available in a range of subjects including paper decoration, marbling, edge gilding, book repair, traditional and contemporary binding techniques for bookbinders and book artists.
Alice Blanch Chehovski
Alice Blanch Chehovski was born in Queensland to a Russian mother and Polish father.
When her father died leaving three small children to bring up on her own, her mother took them back to Russia to visit her own parents.
In the following fateful year, Stalin came to power and the family was trapped by Russia closing its’ borders.
At the age of twenty three, in Autumn 1944, Alice entered Moscow’s Institute of Decorative Arts and Applied Arts to study ceramics.
Neither the subject of ceramics nor the academic drawing in fine pencil inspired her.
At that time Moscow was surrounded by German troops, Russian culture was inhibited by the war and generally speaking it was not the time for arts.
Alice said ‘My soul and my hands were needed as a volunteer, to help the wounded soldiers survive’.
Alice struggled through a lifetime of hardship and triumph before returning to her native land of Australia in 1981 at the ago of 60.
At her first exhibition in Australia, seven works were acquired by the Australian National Gallery in Canberra and her prints by the Australian Print Workshop archive. The State Library of Victoria has acquired a set of ten lithographs Alice created just before the fire in 2001 which destroyed the main buildings of Dunmoochin and depict the buildings and landscape as Clifton Pugh would have known them.
Susan Czermak
Susan Czermak was born just after WW2 on a small island off the coast of Scotland where her father worked as a marine biologist. There she had, what she thinks now, seemed to be an extraordinary sort of childhood, where she wandered all over the island and along the seashore by herself even as young as 4 years old, surrounded by many sorts of birds and a small wilderness, as well as living in the village. Nothing untoward ever happened to her. From childhood she had an interest in design and artistic representation but those interests remained largely undeveloped until much later.
For most of her life she has lived in the southern hemisphere in New Zealand and Australia, and has worked variously as a computer programmer, as a farmer, and as a teacher. For the last twelve years she has been exploring watercolour and since 2001 has had regular solo exhibitions of her work mainly in France (where she lives in a village in SW France for about half the year) but also from time to time in Australia, where she lives in the Yarra Valley.
The best description of her style is realist, and she is a member of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists. She hopes that sometimes her work may appear somewhat impressionist and is most interested in light and its effect on a subject. Trying to capture the light and as a result the mood of a scene seems to her more important than the details or the scene. She has exhibited regularly in SW France since 2001 with at least one solo exhibition every summer.
Her affordable art is in private and official collections in France, Holland, Switzerland, UK, USA, New Zealand, Italy, Australia and Belgium. For each watercolour painting she uses a limited palette of artist quality watercolour to achieve a harmony and all work is completed on hand made 100% cotton watercolour paper. She occasionally experiments with pastels.
Trish Delmenico
Biography coming soon.
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Jeanette Dyke
CONTEMPORARY GOLD & SILVERSMITH
Jeanette trained for 9 years as a Gold and Silversmith in England, Germany and Australia. In 1993 she gained her Masters Degree in Gold and Silversmithing from the Royal College of Art in London. She set up her first workshop in Battersea, London in the same year.
In 1996 she moved to Australia and settled on the edge of the Yarra Valley in Melbourne where she still lives and works today.
Specialising in press forming and fusing, Jeanette transforms her metal into curvaceous, wearable sculptural forms: "Most of my pieces are hollow, three dimensional forms which I believe is due to my training as a silversmith. I trained for 6 years to design and make silver tableware, only turning to jewellery when I moved to Australia. Subconsciously I seem to be still designing miniature vessels, only these are ones that adorn the body."
Driven by a passion for her work, Jeanette crafts her metal to create pieces which can be inspired by anything and everything around her; shadows, fleeting moments and even dreams. Her work is contemporary in design and is always exquisitely unique: "I am committed to creating works of high standard and carefully execute one-off and limited editions in gold, silver and precious stones. I strive to transform my metal with purity and simplicity into elegant vistas and forms."
From 2004-2007 Jeanette lived and worked at Clifton Pugh's unique property "Dunmoochin"; an artist's haven and environmentally sensitive area in Cottles Bridge. During this time Jeanette also worked closely with Goldsmith Simon Baigent at Montsalvat, learning the art of stone setting and granulation. This time had an enormous impact on her life and work, transforming her designs from pure simplistic forms to jewellery that is designed around decoration, the natural environment and Australia's beautiful flora. In return for what she gained at
Dunmoochin Jeanette is now on the board of Directors offering residencies to other artists and environmentalists from all over the world.
Jeanette has been designing and making for over 20 years, selling and exhibiting at leading venues and galleries throughout Australia. She has won many awards for her work including The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths' Precious Metals Bursary and The P&O Makower Precious Metals Award. She has had jewellery purchased for use in a Steven King telemovie and Jeanette's hallmark and information has been published in Christine Erratt's book; "Marks on Australian Silver 1950.2005," (Parker Press). Her work can also be found in public and private collections worldwide including the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Australia.
Reference
Royal College of Art - www.rca.ac.uk
Dunmoochin - www.dunmoochin.org
Montsalvat - www.montsalvat.com.au
Goldsmiths Hall - www.thegoldsmiths.co.uk
P&O Makower/Bishopsland Educational Trust - www.bishopsland.co.uk
Grace Garton
As a child to European parents who had a love of the arts I was surrounded by writing, painting, music, theatre and food.
It was inevitable for me that I went into art school. Having attended City art institute, (Alexander Mackie) in Sydney and completing my Bachelor of Visual Arts degree, lead to a career in animation. Over the 25 years of working on animation my artistic skills developed and in between productions I explored other creative avenues such as sewing, knitting, printmaking, mixed media and doll making.
My mixed media paintings are inspired by the environment, city, bush, suburbia and rural. They all impart an emotion or a memory which could be from childhood or history, a story evolves in my mind and the canvas becomes like a stage for all my characters to act out.
The little figure that appears often in my paintings expresses a childlike innocence and wonderment at the world around them. The child within us all.
The tools used are pencils, handmade papers, fibres, acrylic paint, different mediums, cutting tools, hammer, found objects and a layer of beeswax is applied on top.
My art dolls are extensions of my painting they are cloth dolls, hand painted sometimes with found objects used for their limbs.
Other dolls I make are vintage like animal cloth dolls, coffee stained hand embroidered faces with vintage button eyes.
I have had exhibitions in Sydney, Melbourne and Tasmania.
Faye De Pasquale
From an early age my Mother encouraged me to draw and be competitive. A number of my drawings were chosen for publication therefore it is not surprising that I followed a career in art.
After many years teaching art at Secondary level, I resigned from full-time art teaching to devote myself entirely to my art.
Six years ago, to further this career, I moved back to Melbourne after spending many years in country Victoria where my work was well known in the Mansfield and north-eastern region.
My recent work has been inspired by the Central Australian outback and desert landscape. This work shows my preoccupation with heightened colour and simplified forms.
Brett Ditchfield
- Bryan Fitzgerald
- Fiorella Giarusso
- Ken Griffiths
- Ev Hales
- Rob Hayley
- Wendy Hicks
- Veronica Holland
- Nicola Hoyle
Bryan Fitzgerald
Bryan studied at Deakin University and completed a Bachelor of Education majoring in painting and drawing.
After teaching with the Department of Education for a decade, he returned to study at R.M.I.T. On completion of a Graduate Diploma in Interior Design,
Bryan worked as a freelance designer. Whilst involved in these career paths, Bryan continued to pursue his strong interest in painting and drawing.
Bryan now works as a professional artist and has held five solo exhibitions as well as being involved in many group shows.
Bryan works in watercolours oils and acrylics and explores a broad range of subject matters.
He also teaches painting and drawing in regular classes and workshops.
Bryan is an award winning artist, his work is held in private and corporate collections both in Australia and overseas.
Fiorella Giarusso
Fiorella displayed an interest in all things artistic at an early stage. Her school days saw her excel in art subjects – it is not surprising then, that she chose an art career studying fashion design culminating in a diploma. The course incorporated several art subjects.
Having a desire to pursue painting, Fiorella then studied with a number of noted masters. She has a deep respect for the Australian impressionist painters, particularly Heidelberg school, embracing the work of Streeton and Heysen. The work in this exhibition demonstrates this passion.
Fiorella has exhibited widely and her work features in a number of collections, both in Australia and overseas.
Ken Griffiths
Griffiths is now in his 50th year and has been exhibiting and selling his work since his first sale in 1979 to his great Uncle Ray, who's reputation as a major collector and benefactor in Australian Arts has been recognised in the Ballarat Fine Art Gallery naming one of it's spaces as the WR Griffiths Gallery.
Ken Griffiths was born and educated in Ballarat. He was awarded the senior art prize for Ballarat and Clarendon College in 1976. Completed Diploma of Fine Arts majoring in painting and printmaking then Graduate Diploma Education at Ballarat University.
Taught in Victorian Government Secondary schools for 10 years, in Milduran, Daylesford and Leongatha. During this period Ken continued to work and exhibit as an artist. He was hung in the 1987 Archibald Prize, staged two one man shows and illustrated an educational text in watercolors, a re-telling of Billy Goat's Gruff, for MacMillan Publishing in 1993.
In 1994 Ken resigned from the Education Department to pursue his career in the arts.
In 200 he was lured to QLD with the promise of riches by the director of a large gallery on the Gold Coast. Subsequently staged a major one man retrospective at the gallery in 2001. Most of the works sold and are now scattered amongst collections over Soth East QLD.
Griffiths returned to Vic. in 2005 to take up residence in Wonthaggi.
Now in 2009 he has developed a considerable body of work which he has begun to exhibit with sales and local awards.
Griffiths works mainly in oils and acrylics and has begun to produce a series of etchings, mainly dry point copper.
His highly developed drawing skills have often had his work criticised for being to illistartive but the drawing has been deliberatley enmeshed with the paint in the tradition of Klee, Edwin Tanner and John Brack. It is often with wit and always with good draftsmanship that Griffiths responds to the problems of being a post modern artist painter.
Ev Hales
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Ev's lifelong involvement with art is an integral part of her life.
Whether in her own unique work or as an art tutor or mentor a love of personal expression is evident in all she does. Starting as a Secondary Art and Craft teacher, majoring in Printmaking, she is a full time artist with some specific teaching stints during the year.
Artistically, Ev's work covers a variety of mediums mostly in the painting and printmaking areas. Watercolour has an enduring fascination with the capricious nature of this medium. She is always exploring new ways to push the boundaries of this art form providing a constant source of challenge and excitement. A recent return to printmaking has allowed techniques and skills from different mediums to come together with a clarity that is exciting. Her monotypes or monoprints are particularly evocative.
Monotype Gallery
Ev's strong sense of design, evident in all her work, led to the publishing of " Australian Orchid Design" a design book for craftspeople which reveals her keen interest in native flora. Take this one step further, or perhaps a thousand steps and you have her latest "Lunchalot Series". A truly innovative concept. Everyday reality
Combine this sense of design and her understanding of translucent colour and you have an artist with a breadth of skills at her fingertips.
She has won many prizes for her paintings and has had articles published in a variety of magazines, including Australian Artist, Art Streams. Consistently exhibiting over a period of almost thirty years her commitment and development is on going. Her work in the onglaze medium is unique. A particiant in a variety of artistic circles, she has held roles from President down, and is currently involved with the Artists Open Studios program in Nillumbik.
Artists' Open Studios
She is a valued demonstrator and teacher working all around Australia and overseas.
Rob Hayley
Biography coming soon.
Wendy Hicks
Wendy incorporates free hand machine embroidery, layering, felting, printing and painting to create her unique range of clothing, fashion accessories, cards and framed textile art pieces. Her artistic skills and life experience have created an inspired artist who touches us through her textile art. Wendy holds regular classes and workshops.
Veronica Holland
Veronica Holland has a quirky view of life and doesn't take much seriously. Her paintings reflect this humorous approach, and show people and situations that make the observer smile.
Her work is energetic and dynamic, full of colour and movement. Music provides much of the inspiration at the moment, with the energy and colour of the paintings reflecting the sound of the music played.
Many of the painting themes have been translated to tabletops and tiled wall murals, bringing Art outside.
Veronica lives in Christmas Hills with daughters and assorted animals.
Nicola Hoyle
By nature I am a hoarder. I cannot resist the temptation to collect items that others have discarded, living by the adage “that will be useful one day”.
As a result my art is heavily influenced by recycled materials and found objects, particularly scrap metal.
I feel great pleasure at the prospect of turning outcasts into things of beauty.
I am entirely self taught as an artist and enjoy the ongoing journey of discovery and exploration that my works brings. I have no interest in making repilicas of previous work: life is too short to be limited by the same formulae repeated over time.
Prior to motherhood, I was as a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry. I never felt fulfilled in this environment, but perhaps I was attracted to shiny materials and their assembly processes.
My desire is to make sculptures that are whimsical and pleasing to the eye. If my work can bring a smile to someone, I am content. I enjoy exploring new materials and concepts. Looking through my piles of found objects I hope to see the beginnings of new pieces.
I enjoy feeling totally immersed in a piece of work. When I am planning a piece, and at intervals during the work, I find my thoughts constantly turning to it. It is such an enjoyable distraction, and fills me with great pleasure.
- Diana Jackson
- Rudi Jass
- Janicke Johansen
- Adrian Johnson
- Robyn Kaires
- Andrew Kasper
- Marlene Kasper
- Robyn Koiker
Diana Jackson
Diana Jackson was born in England and arrived in Melbourne in 1985. It wasn’t until 1989 that she began painting in watercolours under the guidance of renowned Australian artists Herman Pekel & David Taylor.
A versatile & original artist was created & as Diana’s career has progressed she has been recognised with numerous prize winning awards throughout Australia including being a successful guest artist for the prestigious Toowoomba Grammer school art show in 2005.
Diana’s works are shown at leading art galleries in South East Queensland & she also tutors watercolour art classes for art societies & from her own home studio gallery. Her works have been published on several occasions in the Australian Artist Magazine.
Diana’s paintings convey the rich colours & textures she has discovered in painting excursions around South East Queensland. Her talent & uniqueness are revealed in her final works which have found their home in important corporate & private collections both in Australia & overseas.
Rudi Jass
"Steel & Stone"
As an artist I take my instruction and inspiration from forms in nature - from the detail contained in a seed pod to the fragility of a massive riverbed. The observer might use my work as a point of contemplation of our connectedness to the natural world and the extraordinary minutiae it contain'. Rudi Jass 2008
In his Melbourne studio German-born sculptor Rudi Jass creates unique sculptural works characterised by clean flowing lines, elegant forms and timeless designs that are equally at home in small courtyards or amid the strong shapes of bold modern architecture in urban and commercial developments. Stainless steel, copper, corten steel and bronze are often combined with glass and stone in his distinctive style.
Each handmade work exemplifies Rudi's love for materials, problem solving and need to create, which he believes to be the true foundation of his artistic practice. His sculptural work is highly sought after by architects and landscape designers, who particularly appreciate the fact that some of his designs can be modified to complement individual surroundings or some distinctive architectural feature.
Rudi Jass emigrated from Germany to Australia in 1993. He has also lived in Canada and Papua New Guinea and has been working as a full time sculptor since 1990. His preferred medium to work with is stainless steel and corten steel, often in combination with stone and glass. Some of his corporate clients include Emirates Airlines, Lend Lease and AV Jennings. He has received several awards at exhibitions including, the Dame Elizabeth Murdoch Award at the Contemporary Sculpture Exhibitions Annual Awards in 2006. Rudi Jass' work is represented in many private collections in Australia, Japan, Singapore, UK and the US.
Janicke Johansen
Janicke Johansen is a practising artist and designer with many years of study in both the Arts and Design Industries including a Visual Arts Degree and certificates in Interior Design and Desk Top Publishing. She is also currently working part time as a primary teacher.
Janicke’s work is interpretive and modern combining textures, patterns and intense colours to create emotive responses to her immediate environment and emotional memory. There are recurring themes such as people, buildings scapes, flora and fauna that emerge from her work, often with a quirky and childlike innocence about them.
With concerns about current environmental issues, Janicke is determined to limit her impact on the earth by reducing, reusing and recycling resources such as water, paper and electricity. Her ambition is to continue to limit further environmental impact and to pass
on this message to current and future artists.
Adrian Johnson
Adrian Johnson and his family live in the historic coal mining town of Wonthaggi near the spectacular Bass Coast. After travelling for 6 months through Europe and visiting prominent art galleries, this sparked in Adrian an urge to paint in the early 80's.
Preferring to paint on site using oils and pastels mediums he strives to capture the beauty of the South Gippsland Bunerong region.
Attending workshops of artists Colin Johnson and Ted Berry has enabled Adrian to develop his own style as a painter of landscapes.
As on of the famed "Gippsland 8" artists Adrian took part in 18 successful exhibitions throughout Victoria and New South Wales. He is currently a member of the Australian Guild of Regional Artists (AGRA) and the Bass Coast Artists Society.
Robyn Kaires
Biography coming soon.
Andrew Kasper
Born 1966 Melbourne Victoria
Based at Wilsons Promontory amongst the rawness of nature Andrew's surroundings are portrayed through his sculptures. Clean lines and contemporary in design Andrew works to hold the viewers attention to evoke their imagination. Steel sculptures which are not limited to the outdoor space but also sculptural designs for the indoors.
When asked what thought process is involved within the design Andrew reveals that his environment provides him the peacefulness to concentrate on his work and open his mind to design concepts where the initial foundations are formed.
Working with steel Andrew's sculptures are created by adding and subtracting components to create flow and balance, ultimately giving each piece its unique, individual character.
Practising as a full time sculptor since 2007 and being primarily self taught, Andrew's work is constantly evolving.
To date Andrew has completed 23 exhibitions including Art Melbourne 2009 and 2010.
Andrews work is represented in corporate and private collections Australia wide.
More of Andrew's work can be seen at www.andrewkaspersculpture.com.au
Marlene Kasper
Glass Maker and Jewellery designer based in SE Gippsland Victoria.
Her designs include Fused Glass Sculptures, Wall Mounts and a whimsical array of Sterling Silver Jewellery which can also incorporate fused glass. She is also known to incorporate Sterling Silver with her Glass Sculptures.
Marlene looks to her natural surrounds, its raw and pristine beauty which is prevalent in her work, her intention is to create unique pieces which are not overdone. She looks for new ways to design and incorporate both her glass work and jewellery on both a large and small scale sometimes challenging herself to separate the two.
Robyn Koiker
I was born in North Balwyn where I lived until my early 20’s. I moved to the country to be surrounded by nature and animals in Kangaroo Ground.
Married in the late 80’s, my husband and I moved to St Andrews where we built our mudbrick home. We now have three daughters, all members at one time or another of the St Andrews Pony Club.
Wanting to do something for myself, my natural art &craft instincts led me to try watercolour painting. Commencing in 2003, I now find it difficult to put the paintbrush down!
I have always enjoyed drawing and have a passion for horses, foals, dogs and birds, of which I have had several commissions.
I like to bring each animal to life in their expressions, particularly through their eyes.
I am now expanding into landscapes under the watchful eye of David Taylor. The techniques I’m learning are also helping with my colours and washes for my animal subjects too.
I hope you find pleasure in my art.
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