When Tewantin artist Ann Milland was four years old, she discovered the thrill of putting paint on paper and the image it created.
Today, after a lifetime of her work being shown at exhibitions in the UK, New Zealand, the Brisbane EKKA and, locally, Harbourside Gallery, Noosaville Library and now Bendigo Bank,
she is still painting–and cherishing every moment.
“My grandfather was an artist and so was my mother. I’ve just gone on from there,” she told Noosa Today. “I did well at school and then I went to Eastbourne Art College in England which, frankly I thought was a waste of time.
“I remember running a bicycle into paint and then going over a piece of paper on the floor. It was fun but it wasn’t art and certainly not teaching you how to paint.
“I wanted the real thing.”
Since then, Ann (75) has studied drawing and painting in different media and twenty of her paintings are now being showcased at the Tewantin branch of Bendigo Bank in Poinciana Avenue.
“I have a mix of charcoal, pastels, water colour and acrylic. A lot of them are of children which I really enjoy doing. They seem to create the most comment, maybe it’s because they are of little children on the beach.
“I like painting people with interesting faces. The more wrinkles the better!
“I enjoy painting. It takes you to another world with peace, harmony and colour. To be able to paint and to create beauty, gentleness and, at the same time, a variety of moods is extremely good for your wellbeing.”
Noosa has its share of unassuming volunteers and Ann, who came here to live 23 years ago, is one of them. She joined Story Dogs five years ago and with her dog, Billy, supports students at Tewantin State School who need extra help and encouragement with their reading.
She is also a driver at Noosa Hospital for those who require a courtesy buggy and, until recently, she was a volunteer helping patients in oncology.
