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Artist Statement

My current work practice crosses the disciplines of drawing, painting and printmaking. I enjoy working in several genres- landscape, still life and Natural History often in mixed media using earth pigments , text and bold colour where appropriate.

I live and work on the south coast of NSW and have been very influenced by the landscape of ancient rock forms and the cultural history of this place. The current work in both stencil prints, works on paper and paintings explores the sacred site of Gulaga which was a birthing place and initiation site for the Yuin people of this area. Natural History is an abiding interest and  I enjoy incorporating the writings of botanists and explorers into the site drawings and  the paintings of native flora such as Banksia and Waratah. In 2010 and 1011 my natural history works on paper have been selected in the finals of the Waterhouse natural history Art Prize.

I am also interested in landscape painting and expressing in the oil paintings the moody atmospherics when the light falls on distant hills and mountains and portentous storms cast deep shadows on the land and sea. My time working as an artist in the Northern Territory fostered a love of the tumultuous drama of changing skyscapes and bold colour. A current fascination in small gouache paintings is the Australian icon- the caravan perched on the edge of river estuaries and beaches, the inevitable plastic chair and the gaze to the horizon of those living the “beaut” Aussie dream.


Biography

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Veronica has exhibited throughout Australia over the past 30 years and been the recipient of many artist residencies at Cobourg Marine National Park and Uluru in the Northern Territory. In 2011 The National Museum of Australia purchased her collection of court drawings which she did for the Chamberlain trial working as court artist for the ABC. A collection of these can be viewed on line on the National Museum site: www. nma.gov.au/chamberlain

In 2010 and 2011 she was a finalist in the Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize at the South Australian Museum. Her work has been selected in the final exhibition for the Mosman Art Prize, the Countryscapes Landscape Award, and the Meroogal Historic Trust Award.

She works across a variety of genres – landscape, still life, and natural history in the fields of drawing, painting and printmaking. Her Solo exhibitions have been extensive – in Darwin, ACT, Sydney, WA and her work is held in several major collections. Currently she is working towards an exhibition in 2012 at Ivy Hill Gallery, Wapengo and ARC Yinnar, Victoria. Both exhibitions will be landscape based- works on paper, stencil prints and paintings.

Professional Qualifications

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2004    M.A. Visual and Performing Arts, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga
1984    B.A. Fine Arts, N.T. University, Darwin.
1982/3 B.A. Fine Arts, Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne
1974    Dip. Ed. Monash University, Melbourne
1972    B.A. Hons, St. Lucia University, Brisbane

Awards and Exhibitions

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Awards Received
2011  Finalist, Works on Paper, The Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, S.A. Museum