| Running from October 13 to November 1, the exhibition will be opened by poet Chris Mansell on October 17 at 6.30pm.
Johnston's paintings are stunning in their originality and bold use of colour and theme. Not too far away is the humour which Kaye is known for with a whole series of paintings of cows in the landscape, cavorting in the surf, or the Udder wave (cows with feminist earrings), or Cow Chess.
The beautiful landscapes of Wattamolla, Kangaroo Valley, the rainforest and Fitzroy Falls after the fires, together with the still lifes echo her bold use of colour.
These are local paintings because they are of local subjects, and we can all relate to them, but they are paintings which draw any viewer into them. The artist transforms the everyday into paintings which surprise and encourage the view to see the world differently.
'I live in the rainforest and my work is totally influenced by the biodiversity around me, such as insects and plants.'
The exhibition came about because Johnston was researching painting for a novel she was writing set in Brogers Creek. She decided to give painting a try. After studying at the local TAFE, she found she not only had the facility but enjoyed it a great deal.
She said she might never get back to the novel because she is already planning another series of paintings on a new theme.
Johnston's preferred media are pastels and oils. The works in this exhibition are mainly pastels with some oil paintings. Her major influences have been Georgia O'Keefe and William Robinson. |
