Artist Statement
Today we are bombarded with so much ugliness in the world; through my art I try to portray the calming beauty I feel from nature. My passion is painting Realistic Animal Portraits, especially Dogs, Cattle and our vibrant Northern Territory Landscapes, Flora and Fauna.
My favourite medium is Matisse Acrylic Paint and also work in Inks, Wax, Rice Paper and Graphite Pencil. I attained my Visual Arts Diploma many years ago and have continued my art education with the school of life, through trial and error. After years of exhibiting, travel teaching nationally and internationally I now enjoy the layback life style of the Territory. I paint under the Nom de Plume “Siani Walsh”.
The photo submitted is of my young Rottweiler Sharny and is called “Who Me”. To her the world is her play ground she is either going into mischief or coming out of it and has the most expressive face of any dog I have been guardian to. She is an absolute joy to share my life with.
Q: What medium or mediums do you work with?
A: Acrylic Paint, Inks, Wax Rice Paper and Graphite Pencil are the Mediums I mainly work with, and will paint on any surface that stays still long enough.
Q: How long have you been an artist? How did you get started?
A: Art become important to me as a child, living and growing up in the country meant you had to find ways to occupy your free time. Sketching and Water Colour painting of animals and the landscape become my passion.
Q: Do you have any formal training or are you self taught?
A: My formal training consists of a Visual Arts Diploma, study with Russian Master Artist Slava Letkov and American Artist Sherry Nelson. I attained my teachers Accreditation and have been a published Artist by Express Publication since 1997. My art education continues with the school of life, through trial and error. After many years of travel teaching Nationally and Internationally I am enjoying the lay back life style of the Northern Territory and only teach two Acrylic Painting courses a year in my home town of Katherine.
Q: Do you have any favorite art supplies that you would like to recommend?
A: Matisse Derivan products are my favourite art supplies. Matisse is an Australian owned company since 1964 and has been committed to providing the arts community with the worlds finest Professional quality Acrylic colours and Mediums. Their vibrant, exciting colours are formulated on our Australian Flora, Fauna, Sea and Landscape colours.
Q: Do you work with any specific styles or subject matter?
A: Most of my subject matter is Australian Flora, Fauna and Landscapes; my passion is painting Realistic Animal Portraits of Dogs and Cattle. I feel painting is a gift to be shared, the bonus for me is when someone else finds a connection with my work and appreciates it too.
Q: Can you recommend any books, videos or other resources that will help new artists?
A: There are many great books and DVD’s available for the beginner artist. It is just a matter of finding what will suit you as an individual.
Q: How do you get ideas to create a piece What inspires you?
A: My greatest inspiration to create a painting arises from the peaceful beauty I find around me in Nature. We are confronted from so much ugliness from the World on a daily basis; I feel I have to balance that in my life by portraying the quiet beauty I find in Nature.
Q: Are there any artists that have influenced you and why?
A: There are many beautiful and varied artists around today, to look at their work and read their Artist Statements can be very uplifting. I wouldn’t say they have influenced the style of my work but I love to read how another artists mind works in regard to their art.
Q: Do you have a website you would like to share?
A: I have a website www.julieblight.gempton.com which I really must have updated and a www.PictureTrail.com/siani which is up to date.
Q: Finally do you have any last words of advice for beginner artists?
A: My advice for beginners is to practice, practice, practice and enjoy to the maximum what you are doing.
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Gill on Fri, 26th Sep 2008 9:21 am
Too cute…you can just see that naughty face getting into all kinds of trouble. I love animals and especially dogs. It is my dream to perfect pet portraiture. I love your reasons for doing art. You are quite right. Thee is far too much ugliness aorund and when doing art one gets lost in it. Well done.
Julie Blight on Sun, 28th Sep 2008 12:14 am
Thank you Gill for your comments.
Just keep practicing your pet portraits, I find if I can get to meet and interact with the animal, I am able to capture its spirit much better.
I know this is not always possible if the animal has passed and you only have pics to work from, but knowing the breed of the animal well helps in this case.
Keep working on your dream and one day it will just happen.
Julie B