By Abbey Cannan
A Noosa Hinterland artist has been busy preparing an upcoming exhibition of his award-winning works at the Old Commonwealth Bank in Cooroy in conjunction with Noosa Open Studios.
The new exhibition features finalist works by Paul Reynolds from the Noosa Lyn McCrae competition, the Brisbane Marie Ellis Awards, Noosa Art Awards and Flying Arts Regional Awards.
Paul, who was born in the UK and moved to Australia in the early sixties, said his life of art started in his pre-teen years and the compulsion never left.
“I settled in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland above Cooroy in 1997 where I took up sign writing,“ he said.
“While going through art school and hosting solo exhibitions, some of my illustration work has found its way into the National Library.
“My influences have been the likes of Goya, Hogarth and Lucian Freud, with some works referencing french artist Millet author Kafka and film maker Igmar Bergman.“
Known around Cooroy and Noosa for his “work ute“, a motorcycle with a sidecar, Paul said he has always had an interest in art being reflective of the human condition.
“In a well connected world, Covid-19 has given inspiration to two pandemic works, with one drawing from The Wizard Of Oz,“ he said.
“These turbulent times offer a wealth of material worthy of comment or questioning.
“While some works are more abstract and reflective. I would hope people find my work thought provoking and even challenging.“
Working directly on to canvas in pastel, oils, or a combination of the two, Paul said he does not work off preliminary sketches as he feels the work loses its immediacy.
“As a result the works tend to take a life of their own as thought, subject and composition merge and sometimes change direction,“ he said.
“Apart from the large paintings, a number of life drawings in pastel are also on display, as it is something I took up again a few years ago to brush up on my more technical skills.“
The exhibition will take place at the Old Commonwealth Bank in Cooroy from Monday 5 October to 18.
