Artists step into the spotlight with live painting residency
Two local Margaret River artists will step out from behind the studio doors in September with a residency at the Margaret River Gallery.
Braving the idea of painting in public is a daunting one for Kate Debbo, who is used to a private studio space and a tendency to get lost in time during her painting.
“Im definitely a bit freaked out, but it will be good, and Im interested to see what will come out of the process,” she said.
Debbos free form, playful approach to her art involves finger painting, quirky shapes and subjects and bright colours on many of her pieces.
“I approach each piece with a bit of an open mind and usually a single idea, which then develops as I go – then Ill put it down and pick it up again a bit later to add to it, cover something or change it entirely.”
In a similar vein but with a completely different result, artist Natasha Hill also approaches her work without sketches or plans.
“My process is very much meditative, a lot of it is repetition and sometimes I will be there for hours focused on this one piece, not really knowing where it will go and where it will end up,” she said.
“You definitely see how I am feeling and what Im thinking in the end results so I am looking forward to seeing how the residency and painting in front of people will affect my work.”
Gallery director Salli Coppin said the residency program allowed the artists to utilise the gallery space at the studio while engaging with the general public.
“These two local artists are inspired by the everyday which enables them to spontaneously create their work on site,” Ms Coppin said. “We have a lounge area within the gallery, which provides an informal space for discussion and to engage with the artists.”
A special space in half of the gallery will be set up as the artists studio to provide a full artistic experience to visitors, where they can chat to the artists, ask questions of the displayed works or simply sit back and watch the creative process.
“Kate Debbos large gestural abstracts are playful expressions of life in full colour, whilst Natasha Hills multi layered, often subdued palette works are quiet mediations in paint.
“Both the artists will be creating new works throughout the month of September and we are very excited to see what will come out of these sessions.”
Members of the public can meet Kate Debbo and Natasha Hill on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays throughout September and enjoy a coffee on the couch while watching them work. Artworks produced will be for sale and exhibited in an ongoing exhibition of new works. Opening hours for Artists in Residence are 10am – 5 pm.
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Margaret River Mail
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