Artist’s Statement
In 2002 Kathy Ellem started painting and embraced the challenge of becoming an artist after trying a series of other more logical career options including teaching, financial analysis, biology and naturopathy. Kathy struggled particularly with drawing, but acknowledging weaknesses and spending time developing these skills makes her believe that persistence, over talent, leads to success.
Growing up on an apple orchard in North East Victoria, Australia, and then later living on remote cattle properties with her husband Chris and two children, challenged Kathy to be creative with the business side of art. A growing frustration withthe portrayal of those involved in agriculture gave Kathy the ‘why’ for her work, wishing to quietly share that there are many who see themselves as stewards of the land.
Over the years Kathy has developed a very unusual connection to draught animals particularly horses. Interestingly after being bucked off a horse as a child she actually detested them. But painting those seemingly gentle giants has won her over. Kathy has also found great friendships with their owners and admire their commitment to preserving history. ‘As I paint I find myself reflecting on the values of commitment, hard work and steady calm strength’.
Creatively, Kathy loves the challenge of capturing accurate detail whilst also placing gems of pure colour only evident on closer inspection, using loose mark making techniques to create the impression of 3D form.
Biography
Mostly self taught and painting seriously since 2007.
Regular exhibitions in many of the regional galleries in Queensland over the past 14 years.
Managing my own gallery in Beechworth Victoria since 2018.
Awards across Australia including the John Villiers Outback Art Prize, and the National Equine Art prize. 6 awards over 5 years with Women artists of the west including the major Best in Show.
Many peoples choice awards in regional art shows.
Influences
Lyn Diefenbach. Susan Lyon. John Wilson. Greg Beecham. Scott Burdick. Hans Heysen.
I love work that looks real from a distance but has incredible texture and masterful colour combinations .Awards
- First Prize – Oils, Acrylics Mixed Media, Roma Show 2009
- Peoples Choice – Barcaldine Annual art Exhibition and competition 2012
- Champion of Show and a Highly commended– Bell art show 2013- prize was a scholarship to McGregor Winter School valued at $640.
- Grand champion ‘Dancing through pink’, plus section winner of both Landscape and Flora and Fauna at the Bell art show 2015.
- 3rd place, John Villiers Waltzing Matilda Art show Winton. 2015. ‘I see the light’.
- 1st Bell Art Show, Oils 2016
- 1st Kilmore Art Show, Oils 2016
- Best Oil/Acrylic, Lane Cove, 2016
- First prize for the Inaugural creative excellence award- Wangaratta Rotary Art show.2016
- Reserve champion- Bell 2017
- National Equine Art Prize, Mansfield - $8000 First Place, 2017
- Magenta, 2017, Best Landscape, Acquisitive $500
- Deniliquin, 2017, Fauna Section
- Somerset art awards, Best painting in show $750, 2017
- People’s choice, Corowa 2018.
- People’s choice, Currabubulla, 2018.
- First place, Blackall, 2018. Purchased by local council.
- First place in 2D and awarded Christine Drewyer Award of Distinction, WAOW 48th National Juried Exhibition, USA, 2018
- People’s choice, Somerset Art Awards, QLD, 2019.
- Top 13 Artistic excellence award – South West Art Magazine 2019
- Best in show, WAOW Settlers West Show, USA, 2020 ‘Together we will succeed’.
- John Villiers Outback Art Prize, Winton QLD, $10,000 Acquisitive award, 2020. ‘Hearts as big as the sky’.
- Clayton Utz Art Awards, Brisbane QLD, Peoples choice. 2020. ‘Two lefts and a right’.
- Pro Hart Outback Art Prize, Broken Hill, NSW, People’s choice, ‘Weathered many a summer storm’ 2020.
- Bright Autumn Art Show, 2022, Best in show, Aquisitive $5000. ‘Seeking assurance’, donkeys.
- Camberwell Art Show, 2022, Cansons Equine Award. ‘Thoughtful’, oil, 30x30.
- Currabubulla red cross art show 2023, Grand Champion, $5000, ‘Just a nibble’, oil.
- Camberwell art show, 2023, Cansons Equine award, ‘Attention left’ oil, 30x40”.
- People’s Choice, WAOW 2024, ‘It was funny five minutes ago’ oil, 24x30”.
Exhibitions
- Solo exhibition at Brown Gully Picture Framing 2009
- Joint exhibition with Bill Sass at the Surat on Balonne Gallery 2010
- Solo exhibition at Injune Art space September 2010, and January 2011.
- Solo Exhibition at Brown Gully (June/ July 2011)
- Solo exhibition at Surat on Balonne Gallery in November- December 2011. Birds of the local area.
- Joint exhibition with Maranoa Artists Inc – Year of the farmer at the Roma on Bungil Gallery 2012
- Joint Exhibition with Tammie Saunders and Nicole Harper- Feminine Triumph at Roma on Bungil Gallery 2012
- Co-ordinated Kids exhibition – Fantastical Things- in conjunction with Maranoa Artists Random acts of art, 2013 Surat on Balonne Gallery
- Solo Exhibition at Outback Regional Gallery, Winton, 2014
- Solo Exhibition at Gallery 107 at Dalby, 2014.
- Commissioned painting for Origin. 2014
- Solo exhibition Mitchell 2015.
- Joint exhibition with Betty Searle, Surat on Balonne Gallery, ‘10 of the best’. October 2015
- Solo exhibition- Miles 2016
- Solo exhibition- Cunnumulla 2016
- Solo exhibition Injune – June to August 2017
- Solo exhibition – Kilcoy June 2017
- Solo exhibition – Surat October 2017
- Joint exhibition- Passionate Palettes, Bright September 2017
- Opened my own gallery in Beechworth Easter 2018.
- Joint Exhibition with Donna Hockey, Surat on Balonne Gallery, 2018. ‘Sliding Doors’.
- Solo exhibition: Surat on Balonne Gallery, 2019, ‘Country of beauty and brawn’.
Opened my own gallery 'Kathy Ellem Fine Art' in Beechworth Victoria.Website
Showing all 4 artworks