By Margaret Maccoll
Every artist has a story to tell on what led them on a path of creativity. Last weekend as more than 100 Noosa artists opened their studios to the public as part of Noosa’s Open Studios art trail, Noosa Today visited a handful of artists from the Noosa Trail, one of five operating across the shire until 10 October.
Sculptor Kevin Dick has worked with wood for the past 55 years. For most of those, the master craftsman has built boats but for the past six years he has chosen to follow his creative ambitions and use his exceptional skills to make pieces of art, large and small from a mix of birch wood and composite marine resins.
Understandably most of his pieces have a nautical element, with sea creatures such as dolphins, whales, turtles, sharks and sting rays being popular themes and some carry an environmental message of marine protection. But occasionally he is inspired to create something completely different, even the occasional alien.
His studio, Kellick Marine Concepts, is at 4 Production Street, Noosaville.
For the past 25 years Jackie White has created mosaics. During Covid restrictions she has worked from home with much of her work commission-based.
Recently many of her commissions have been of sports stars composed of the male form cloaked in a sporting jersey. Having just moved into her own studio at 41/64 Gateway Drive, Jackie has plans to begin hosting classes and workshops in response to public interest.
It was a car accident that led Julia Carter to painting. The former teacher was unable to return to teaching after a serious accident and took up painting as therapy. Her colourful, vibrant paintings drew attention, having since been exhibited across the world, and are now held in collections globally.
Julia gleans inspiration from the natural environment, with Noosa National Park a rich source of material for her paintings. Having worked from her gallery at 6/33 Gateway Drive for the past seven years, Julia is working toward an exhibition in the near future.
Cathy Spencer took up pottery 38 years ago as an outlet to keep her sane. Having enjoyed making mud pies as a child growing up on a dairy farm, it was a natural progression for her.
Her hobby became her financial lifeline when she began hosting workshops as a way to support her and her children after a marriage breakup. Having been one of the founding artists of the Piece of Green Gallery in Maleny, Cathy, now with husband Dave, only recently made the move to Noosa, opening the Fried Mudd Gallery at 7/33 Gateway Drive just days before the opening of Noosa Open Studios. She said the Noosa art community had been very welcoming and she planned to soon begin hosting workshops.
Self taught mixed media artist and sculptor Jo Cook decided at the age of 50 to retire from her 30-year career as a speech pathologist and become an artist.
From her home-based Noosaville studio, Jo creates figurative works aimed at evoking emotions on the journey of women in contemporary society. Her current exhibition includes her Illusion series of three ceramic and wood marionettes made under the mentorship of woodwork craftsman Phil Willy and carrying a message for women to create their own life and not be a puppet to other people’s desires.
Jo praised Noosa Open Studios for being the “best thing for becoming known in Noosa“.
Noosa Open Studios continues until 10 October. For more information visit noosaopenstudios.com.au
