By Sonia Isaacs
HINTERLAND artist Laurie Catlin will be the first cab off the rank for Vianta Arts Beerwah’s 2024 Artist Exhibition series.
Featuring 17 mixed medium works, Laurie said she was excited to be showcasing her first solo exhibition.
Since 2022, Laurie has embraced a grey nomad lifestyle which has allowed her further exploration of her love for painting the Australian Bush on the road. Her travels have also prompted a renewed excitement and appreciation for working with oils and plein-air painting (painting outdoors).
“As a grey nomad I visited remote areas of the country and experimented with new mediums and techniques to broaden my practice, such as oil paint with palette knives, acrylic pouring, mixed media, and abstracts to name a few,” Laurie said.
“I believe Art is for everyone whether as a practitioner or admirer. Without colour life can be very dark.”
Laurie said she started dabbling in art projects back in the folk-art craze of the 90’s in Perth WA. She explained she got more serious about painting in 2009 following a major white water rafting accident, which left her with hip and spinal injuries, and unable to work.
“Painting then became my solace, and essentially my happy place where I could escape the pain and confines of my new reality whilst recovering,” she explained.
Over the years, Laurie has focused mainly on painting in acrylics concentrating on crazy fantasy art for her grandchildren or broad landscape subjects.
Her ‘grey nomad’ adventures have led her to explore a wider range of mediums, some of which will be on display at the Vianta arts exhibition which runs until March 3. Vianta Arts is located at 3/70 Simpson Street Beerwah. More details https://www.facebook.com/Vianta.Arts
