Artist Statement

I am a landscape artist and love texture and abstraction in everything that I create. My art is inspired by the natural world around me and the colours of the Australian land and seascape. I draw on my life experiences and paint what I feel or how I want to feel. My works are diverse and constantly evolving. I am always experimenting  with colour an mixed media, sometimes with unexpected results. I love my work to be evocative and am thrilled and humbled when the viewer connects with my work.

Biography

Deidre started painting 15 years ago after looking for a new interest. She spent the early years exploring with colour, mediums and techniques by attending a diverse range of weekend workshops. When Deidre retired from full time work in 2019 she decided to commit more time to her art. Painting has become is a crucial part of her life and wellbeing. Deidre has won the following awards: 2020 Highly commended in the Toowoomba Art Society (TAS) annual members exhibition; 2019 Nancy Culliford Award in the TAS annual members exhibition; 2018 Anne and Fred Gardiner Award in the Toowoomba Art Society annual members exhibition; She has participated in the following exhibitions: 2021 Facets of Fairholme Art show; 2021 Toowoomba Grammar art show; 2020 Feature artist for the Crows Nest Art Group Instudio Art Trail ;2020 Toowoomba Grammar online art show; 2019 Downlands Art exhibition; the MET Gallery Highfields 2019 and 2020; and solo exhibition Rosalie art gallery 2013.

Influences

My art is influenced by many wonderful artists and tutors. Those with very free abstract styles resonate with me and influence my work. I have also been influenced by my sister Jo, who is an amazing abstract artist living in NSW. Fred Williams, Brett Whitely, Judith White and Emma Walker to name but a few are some of the Australian artists who inspire me and influence my art. The Australian landscape and it's endless and varied beauty also influences my work.

Awards

2018 First Prize for best painting (Fred Gardiner award) - Toowoomba Art Society's annual Spring Exhibition for "Out of the Blue" 2019 Second Prize -Nancy Culliford Prize - Toowoomba Art Society annual Spring Exhibition for Going going...

Exhibitions

Facets of Fairholme 2019 Toowoomba Art Society Spring exhibition 2018 Rosalie gallery 2013 "My Inner and Outer world" solo exhibition