By Margaret Maccoll
If you’re artistically inclined or even if you’re not take a step out of your comfort zone, grab one of the Noosa Open Studios Art Trail guide books and roam the shire.
Painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography are among the mix of art on show in people’s homes, backyards and galleries from Peregian to Pomona and all areas roundabout until 18 October.
Last weekend we dropped in on a handful of Peregian Beach based artists.
Fish biologist Lindsay Marshall was finishing her PhD when her supervisor said they needed someone to paint every species of ray – would she be able to do it?
Six years and 1200 species later her work has been included in a book put together by CSIRO titled Rays of the World and her full time job became a natural history artist.
“It’s a dream job I never thought would happen. It turns out it has,“ she said.
Lindsay has since completed commissions and painted fish species for postage stamps.
Last week she held a painting workshop for Nature Art Lab in Canberra and she aims to host natural art workshops as both an artist and scientist.
Alison Comber had always had a love of bits and pieces. While in Belgium about six years ago she discovered ways in which she could combine her love of bits and pieces and her art and what has resulted is an ever expanding collection of fabulous robots.
Alison said Yandina markets provided her with many of her items and inspiration and she often combines a few pieces into a themed artwork.
“I’ve always been recycling things,“ she said. At this year’s Open Studios Alison is showcasing her robots at her home. She is also selling her jewellery to raise money for Rural Aid and Queensland Rural Firefighters.
Down the road Rosie Jennings and Lorna Goldring have brought their art together to showcase.
“We collaborate and share ideas,“ Rosie said.
Having both been artists for more than 20 years they decided for the first time this year to display their art as part of Noosa Open Studios.
At Peregian Beach Community House artists Michele Rudder and Sharon Jack have taken the opportunity to exhibit their large artworks on the walls of the community centre.
French-born Michele has only been painting for about three years but began drawing and creating art objects as a child.
“It was after war time when I was born,“ she said. “I always wanted plenty of things. We couldn’t afford them so I was drawing everything I wanted.“ In addition to her paintings Michele has produced books of her paintings that include the stories behind them.
For the past 10 years Sharon Jack has created contemporary landscapes, most of that time in the Pilbara District in Western Australia where she was sponsored by BHP Biliton. When she and her husband moved to Noosa which was a return home for Sharon she discovered the Pilbara didn’t suit Noosa and so has developed a new abstract style.
Noosa Open Studios Art Trail provides locals and visitors with the unique chance to visit artists in their private studios. Whilst there, visitors can learn about the artists’ creative processes, see their work and perhaps make an investment in art. For more information visit noosaopenstudios.com.au
