Talking With Painters

Vanessa Stockard's work is powerful. If you look into the eyes of her ‘Self-portrait as new mum’ which is hanging in the Archibald Prize this year you’ll probably see something different to the person standing next to you. Her expert use of colour and mixture of some looser and other more deliberate marks makes it one of those beguiling paintings where the expression is so subtle that it’s open to multiple interpretations. She's been painting for over 20 years, had over 15 solo shows in Australia and the US and has been in many more group exhibitions, but this year Stockard has really stepped it up a gear with her selection as a finalist in both the Archibald Prize and the Portia Geach Memorial Award. She lives in Bowral in the southern highlands of NSW with her husband and 18 month old daughter in the beautiful and fabulously eclectic home her husband William Wolfenden designed and built. The plans included a roomy studio where she spends as much time as she can, constantly exploring new ideas. In this ep

In 2007, Archibald prize finalist, Jonathan Dalton, decided to let go of the photography business he had built up in his homeland of Ireland and started teaching himself to paint. Just two years later he won two of the country's major art prizes. It was clear he had taken the right path. With the prize money he and his wife spent time travelling and lived in Spain for a few years before arriving in Australia. In the last few years he has exhibited in five solo shows in Ireland, Spain, China and Australia. His success continues here with his selection as a finalist in the 2017 Archibald prize with a magnificent work titled ‘Lottie and James’ - a portrait of artists Lottie Consalvo and James Drinkwater. It was the first time he had entered the prize. Dalton's aim is to take the viewer beyond photorealism to what he calls ‘theatrical realism’. He imbues his works with a sense of drama, causing the viewer to wonder what’s going on beyond the picture plane.  His exhibition with Nanda Hobbs Contemporary earlier t

Armed with her favourite palette knife which she’s used for the last 10 years, Amanda Penrose Hart dynamically captures the landscape in paint both en plein air and in her studio. She won the Gallipoli Art Prize this year with her painting ‘The Sphinx, Perpetual Peace' and her upcoming show at King Street Gallery on William in Sydney will be her 25th solo show. She has won and been shortlisted in other art awards and her portraits have been recognised in the Portia Geach Memorial Award and the Salon des Refusés on numerous occasions. Over the years Hart has depicted countless landscapes. From the coastal vistas of Moonee Beach in northern NSW and Bruny island in Tasmania, to the drier landscapes of Fowler's Gap, Hill End and Sofala, Hart captures the landscape with a sweep of paint which captures the mood of her surroundings. She's also been involved in projects with other well known Australian painters, travelling to historic sites including Anzac Cove in Turkey and the Western Front in France, returning h

He’s a musician, singer, songwriter, poet and sculptor but of course James Drinkwater is primarily a painter and one of the most exciting contemporary artists creating work in Australia today. Drinkwater started his art training at 10 years of age and now, at 33, has exhibited in 20 solo shows in Australia, London, Singapore and Berlin. He’s been awarded the coveted Brett Whiteley Travelling Art scholarship and Marten Bequest scholarship, has won a number of art prizes and been finalist in many others including three times in the Wynne prize. In this episode of the podcast we talk about what artistic influences he had as a child growing up in Newcastle, his time overseas and the fascinating stories behind two of his impressive Wynne finalist paintings: 'Passage to Rungli Rungliot' and 'Encrusting the Marvellous Heart'. He also talks about his optimistic outlook which seeks out beauty in the world and how nearly every aspect of his life contributes to his art. Upcoming Events Sydney Contemporary, Sydney,

Jude Rae is as interested in faces as she is in gas bottles and airports with her work crossing genres from portraiture to still life and architectural interiors. Amongst the very few artists to have won the Portia Geach Memorial Award for portraiture twice, she was also awarded the Bulgari Art Award last year with her painting 'SL 359', a meditative still life. She has exhibited in over 45 solo shows across Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the US, has been involved in many more group shows and her work is held in major public and private collections across Australia and internationally. We talk about growing up in an artistic home (her father, David Rae, was a painter whose work is held by the Art Gallery of NSW), the challenges of portrait commissions and illusion and materiality in painting.  She also talks about her interest in the viewer looking beyond the narrative a painting might suggest and tells of how she came about painting those gas bottles! You can see a short video taken on the day of the

Joanna Logue is an award-winning painter whose work distinctively reflects her experience of the countryside and bushland. Through her sensual application of paint, she transports the viewer into a dreamlike landscape. She has exhibited in 34 solo shows and her work has been included in over 65 group shows. Her work is held in public and private collections and she has received many commissions. As this podcast goes online her solo show ‘Heartland’ hangs in Sydney's King Street Gallery on William. In this podcast episode, Logue talks about her early life growing up in a small town of NSW before moving to Sydney, she tells of how her relationship with her twin sister impacted her early years, and generously gives many insights into her painting process. She also talks about how she changed her approach to painting from one of seeking perfectionism in the early years to her free and visceral approach today where 'there are no rules'. To hear the interview press 'play' above. To see a short video of Logue tal

He only started painting about 18 months ago, but Jordy Kerwick has caught the attention of art dealers and curators across the world. As this episode goes online, his first solo show opens at Lindberg Galleries, in Melbourne, Australia. His next will be in New York's Anna Zorina Gallery and will be followed by another five group shows which are coming up in Europe and the US. Kerwick attributes part of his success to the power of Instagram, where he has a substantial following - and it's growing daily. It's there that he's connected and made friends with other artists which has fuelled his love of painting with the exchange of images and ideas. But just a glance at his work is enough to see why he is in such hot demand. His mark making, brushstroke and use of colour create an emotion and vibrancy which has drawn in his followers. Hear in this conversation how Kerwick's wife Rachael was a major influence in his taking up painting, how his sons inspire him both in his art and in his life, and how music and

At only 32 years of age, Natasha Bieniek has been awarded the Wynne prize for landscape painting, the Portia Geach Memorial award for portrait painting and the Metro art award, has been a five time finalist in the Archibald prize, a three time finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait prize and has been shortlisted in many others. Impressive as that is, what's more amazing about Bieniek’s work is its size. Her winning Wynne prize painting 'Biophilia' was only 9cm square and her portrait of Wendy Whiteley, which was highly commended by the trustees in the 2016 Archibald prize, is only  13.5cm x 18.5cm. She is without doubt a master of the miniature. Bieniek has exhibited in six solo shows, across Australia and overseas, and in many group shows. The National Portrait Gallery held an exhibition in 2014, ‘In the Flesh’, where 14 of her miniature portraits were included, borrowed from private collections. In our conversation, Bieniek reveals how it was not all smooth sailing at the beginning and talks about

Lewis Miller is one of Australia's greatest living portrait artists. He won Australia's most famous portrait award, the Archibald prize, in 1998 and has been a finalist 17 times. As well as winning and being shortlisted in many other art awards, his works are held in numerous public and private art collections in Australia and internationally. He has had 30 solo shows and his work has been included in over 90 group shows. Painting from life, he has masterfully captured the likeness of notable sitters including High Court justices, a Nobel laureate, the first man to climb Mount Everest, as well as many artists and friends. In addition to his portraits and nudes, he paints exquisite still lifes which glow from the canvas. He was appointed by the Australian War Memorial as a war artist in the Iraq conflict in 2003 and another commission saw him travel the globe to draw and paint over 60 portraits of scientists and technicians involved in the Human Genome Project. In this episode of the podcast, Miller talks a

With his work currently hanging in Flinders Lane Gallery alongside other leading emerging artists, Michael Simms' career has taken a leap since he completed his classical training at Sydney's Julian Ashton Art School in 2014. In the last 12 months alone he has won three art prizes; the Cambridge Studio Gallery portrait prize, the Cliftons Sydney Art prize and the Cliftons People's choice award.  He was finalist in seven others including the Black Swan Prize for Portraiture and the Percival Tucker Portrait Prize, has exhibited in two solo exhibitions and has been in a number of group shows. But his path forward has not always been as clear as it is today and he talks openly about the uncertainty he experienced after leaving university when he struggled to find direction.  An unexpected 21st birthday present and advice he received from a life drawing teacher led him to enrol at Julian Ashton Art School where he became 'addicted' to drawing and painting and was awarded a scholarship. In our conversation he als

Suzanne Archer has been an influential artist in Australia for over four decades, producing superb works across painting, drawing and sculpture. Born in Surrey, England, Archer has lived in Australia nearly all her adult life. For the past 30 years she has lived in the bushland suburb of Wedderburn, on the outskirts of Sydney, in a thriving artist’s community. She made her mark in the art world relatively quickly after arriving in Australia in the 60s and has gone on to win many art prizes including the Wynne prize for landscape painting, the Dobell prize for drawing and the Kedumba drawing prize. There were two surveys of Archer’s work over 2016/2017 which displayed its impressive depth. She has had 40 solo shows and been involved in over 150 group shows over her career. In this podcast interview, Archer talks about how her first solo show in Sydney resulted in a media response involving not only newspaper reviews but appearances on television, how the Sydney University veterinary laboratory play

One of Australia’s most outstanding painters, McLean Edwards had his first solo show at 16 years of age when he was still at high school. Since then he has had 30 solo exhibitions with his most recent, ‘Marsupials’, about to open in New York at Olsen Gruin Gallery. He is a five time Archibald Prize finalist and has been included in the Archibald as a sitter four times. His compelling paintings invite us to enter another world where his characters’ lives and motives are limited only by our imaginations. In this podcast interview, Edwards talks about how that first solo show came about, why he was later kicked out of art school and why he doesn’t usually take portrait commissions. He also reveals interesting background details about his Archibald finalist portraits of Tim Storrier and Cate Blanchett. To hear the podcast interview press ‘play’ above and see below for the paintings we talk about and a short video taken on the day of the interview. Upcoming events Solo ex

Watch Alesandro Ljubicic in his studio here Alesandro Ljubicic’s nature-inspired paintings appear to be emerging from the canvas. He uses an impasto technique, applying thick layers of paint, to create extraordinary works which entice the viewer in for a closer look. Ljubicic has had seven solo shows, has been involved in many more group shows and has been a finalist in various art competitions including the Doug Moran National Portrait prize, the Mosman art prize and Paddington art prize. His paintings range from the representational to the pure abstract and he keeps pushing the limits of what he can do with oil paint. His recent work ranges from very large semi abstract paintings up to four and a half metres wide to smaller abstract works which can be up to 8cm deep in paint and essentially lie somewhere between painting and sculpture. Ljubicic also has a mind for business.  He founded the Sydney Art store when still at art school. In the podcast interview he tells the story of how that started and w

Loribelle Spirovski’s career is rising. Fast. Although she only began painting seriously about five years ago, in just over the last two she won the Cambridge Studio Gallery Art prize and has been a finalist in 18 other art competitions including the Black Swan Art Prize, Muswellbrook Art Prize, the Portia Geach Memorial Award and was semi finalist twice in the Doug Moran National Portrait prize. She will be showing her work in three solo shows and two group shows over the next 12 months. Born in the Philippines, Spirovski came to Australia when she was nine and studied to become an art teacher, never imagining she could become a practising artist. However, she soon realised teaching was not for her, and during a period of despondency, took to painting. She has not turned back.  Relentlessly researching renowned artists and their techniques she has embarked on an exciting path of exploration, constantly taking risks and producing impressive works along the way. In this interview she talks about how she

Jenny Sages was born in Shanghai, China, to Russian parents. Her family migrated to Australia in the 40s when she was a teenager. After studying at the Franklin School of Art in New York she returned to Australia where she worked as a freelance illustrator and writer, mainly in fashion and travel, for various magazines including Vogue. It wasn’t until the early 80s, when she went on a trip to the remote Kimberley ranges in Western Australia, that her career in fine art really began.  It was there that she fell in love with the people and landscape of the Australian outback and she began her career as a full time painter. It was the beginning of annual trips to remote communities of the Northern Terrirtory and Western Australia where she became friends with aboriginal artists including those amongst Australia’s most famous – Emily Kngwarreye and Gloria Petyarre. Sages not only paints the Australian landscape but is also an acclaimed portraitist and creates intricate abstract works. Apart from winni

Acclaimed artist Belynda Henry has been painting professionally for over 20 years and has exhibited in over 25 solo shows across Australia.  Her works inspire an emotional response from many of her viewers achieved through her masterful use of colour, shape and brushstroke. Her shows sell out quickly, often within the first hour of the works becoming available, and she receives many commissions. Henry predominantly paints landscapes but she was also a finalist in the Archibald prize for portraiture in 2016.  She has been selected as a finalist in many other art competitions including four times in the prestigious Wynne prize for landscape painting. Our conversation took place in Henry’s studio in a secluded valley on the central coast of NSW so the sounds you hear in the background are the birds of the Australian bush. We not only hear about how she achieved success in the art world but also of advice she received from significant people in her life which helped her get there.  She also talks about how

Harley Oliver was introduced to art at an early age. Born in New Zealand, he grew up in London with a history of painters in his family. He started oil painting at the age of eight so it was no surprise that he ended up at the Wimbledon art school.  But he studied there in the late sixties and early seventies when painting landscapes, which he was exploring at the time, was not in fashion and certainly not encouraged. Harley’s interests then moved to film and television and in our conversation he talks about how his career as an editor and producer brought him ultimately to Australia. Along the way he has always found time for painting and in the last few years his art has taken centre stage. Since 2014 he has had two solo shows of his impressive work at Stanley Street Gallery in Sydney.   Links to things we talk about in the show: Harley Oliver Stanley Street Gallery Wimbledon College of Arts Gold or a blue dress? Amanda Keller Anh Do’s Brush with Fame Talking with Painters video clip of Harley O

Alan Jones’ work crosses over painting, sculpture and collage. His most recent show was of exquisite painted wooden collages, many of which depicted the coastal landscape of Moonee Beach in NSW. With 22 solo shows and over 130 group shows under his belt, Jones has received many awards, including the Kilgour Prize, Mosman Art prize, Paddington Art Prize and Brett Whiteley Travelling Scholarship and has been finalist in many others.  His portraits have been hung in Australia’s prestigious Archibald Prize three times including last year with his portrait of Pat Corrigan. His work took a personal twist when he was living in Windsor near the Hawkesbury river in Sydney.  An amazing coincidence, which we talk about in this episode, set him on the path of exploring his ancestry and bringing his art closer to home. In this episode of the podcast, Jones also talks about his experiences of painting Pat Corrigan and Adam Goodes for the Archibald and gives insights into his process and techniques. You can see

Reg Mombassa, also known as Chris O’Doherty, has been exhibiting his paintings and drawings at Sydney’s Watters Gallery, nationally and internationally for over 40 years. In 2007 there was a major survey of his work at the SH Ervin Gallery in Sydney. He is also one of the leaders of a group of artists which created designs for the Mambo surf clothing label in the 80s and 90s.  A recent documentary aired on the ABC in Australia looked at those artists and their influential and anti authoritatrian approach. But of course Mombassa is renowned not only as an artist but also a musician. In 1976 he founded the iconic Australian band Mental as Anything with fellow art student Martin Plaza and in 1990 he formed his band Dog Trumpet with his brother Peter O’Doherty. The music in the introduction to this episode is from the song ‘Made in the World’ from their album Medicated Spirits. Mombassa has also had a creative input into major public events such as the Sydney Olympics closing ceremony and Sydney New Year’s

When I started this podcast I thought 40 minutes should be the maximum length of each episode, but that meant leaving out some interesting parts of the conversation. So here are a few clips from those interviews which didn’t make it into the original episodes – a mixture of ideas on painting, life experiences and childhood memories. The artists are: Francis Giacco Katherine Hattam Louise Hearman George Raftopoulos Abdul Abdullah Joanna Braithwaite Nick Stathopoulos John Bokor Lucy Culliton Susan O’Doherty Euan Macleod Juliet Holmes à Court I’ve had an enjoyable 6 months getting the last 12 episodes to you and look forward to bringing you more in 2017 after a bit of a break –  I’ll be back in late January with some more conversations with great Australian painters. So, until then, keep safe and thanks for listening! Maria Stoljar   Works we refer to in this episode:  Abdul Abdullah ‘You see monsters’ Abdul Abdullah Type C print 2014 Lucy Culliton ‘Good