Michelle Porter
Mosaic Artist
Artist Statement From an early age I have always been a creative soul, whether it’s dress making, quilting, knitting, crocheting, or painting. In time, my creative pastimes have improved, making me a lifelong learner of the arts and fulfilling my dream of becoming a Visual Arts teacher for over 30 years. Since moving to Australia, I went back to college to train as an Art Therapist and Reiki Master which has allowed me to help others enjoy the process of…
Stephen (Steve) SCHUHMACHER. After a lifetime as a primary school teacher and sports coach who had difficulty thinking what I could do for Art class, the last thing I ever saw myself doing was joining an Artist’s gallery. I never thought of myself as artistic in any way, but wood has opened the door for my expression. Throughout my life, whenever I saw a demonstration of woodturning, I had to stop and watch, so when retirement required more activity than…
Art has been the defining force of my life. I see it everywhere. In lines and shapes, colours, and patterns. The majority of my life has been as a performing artist, a dancer and a dance teacher; however just as the performing arts requires an awareness and empathy for light and shade, space and colour, and sensitivity to expression and form, in directing my passion now to the visual arts as an abstract photographer and abstract painter, it is only…
After having a successful career working with numbers and finance, I saw woodworking as not only a great relaxation activity you can do by yourself but satisfied my passion to create something with my hands. Working with a wood lathe and a chisel I try to achieve something that not only enhances the piece I am creating but shows off the timber in its natural beauty. The wonders of the grain in a piece of timber not only have to…
Artist Statement Imagine a little freckle faced girl named Suzy running around outside with a bug catcher, naming butterflies, making mud pies and getting her hands dirty in the family veggie patch. What a wonderful introduction to the sparkling wonder of nature and its many wonderful tiny creatures. Well, I am all grown up now but the little freckle faced girl I was, inspires me to make gardens sing by creating artistic gems that are recycled and environmentally friendly, with a…
Artist Statement I was born and grew up on the Gold Coast and very early in life developed an affinity for the ocean. This is evident in my seascapes and fascination with water and light. Throughout my lifelong career as a nurse – I have never lost the passion for painting – in fact it sustained me through many of life’s stressful events! Now, recently retired to Coochiemudlo Island, I am surrounded by a beautiful environment and the bay at…
Artist Statement Our world is a fascinating place. Sitting and trying to capture some of the sights and beautyon paper (or canvas) is an absorbing and challenging endeavour—but I love it. I have been lucky enough to do this in pencil and acrylic (at school), in oil paint and pastels (in Melbourne), and in watercolours since moving to the Tweed/Gold Coast region. From my high school art teachers to Patrick Moss, John Lovett, Greg Allen, Charles Reid and Judith White,…