Now, let's talk about me
You are here because you have a liking for birds. And art. Am I right? That’s why I am here too – so, already, we have established that we have something in common.
I paint in oils from my home studio in Sydney, Australia, when I am not being badgered by the magpies, kookaburras, butcher birds, lorikeets and the lone cockatoo who come by daily. It is a battle sometimes to ignore them, especially ever since Daddy Magpie has taken to hunting me down inside the house.
So, it is not at all incongruous that my birds appear in interior settings. That's how it is, from time to time, at chez Smith. In my paintings, they are portrayed in domestic arrangements of beautiful objects against highly patterned backgrounds. The paintings are a pastiche of designs that I find interesting from times past and some of my current fascinations.
I came to a painting career later in life, after spending most of my working years as a journalist with Australia’s biggest newspapers – most notably as a senior writer and editor for the Australian Financial Review. However, as a young woman, I took art classes at the Julian Ashton art school in the historic Rocks district of Sydney, while doing night shifts in the newsroom. Later, as my children moved through high school, I returned to art classes at the Willoughby Arts Centre (under Kerrie Lester and Gria Shead) and used my spare time to take workshops with some of Australia’s most successful painters.
Since leaving the newspaper industry in 2016, I have been able to segue from writing to art. It has been a fortunate career switch. I am now a full-time exhibiting artist, with paintings hanging in private and corporate collections all over the world.
Where my former colleagues and I would sometimes remind ourselves (somewhat anacronistically) that yesterday's big story was today's fish and chips wrapper, I am now creating something that I hope will be valued enough to be passed down through generations.
With that (rather lofty) aspiration in mind, I hope you enjoy your visit.
Education
BA Comm (journalism). Classes at Julian Ashton art school in the 1980s and, more recently, studied with Kerrie Lester and Gria Shead at the Workshop Arts Centre. Workshops with artists such as Lucy Culliton, Robert Malherbe, John Bokor, Amanda Penrose-Hart, David Fairbairn, Juliette Holmes a'Court and Tim Allen.
Exhibitions
2024
Affordable Art Fair, Sydney, with Sarah Birtles Art & Advice, June
Our Country, Country Style solo exhibition, Michael Reid galleries group, March
Dream Weavers solo show, Sarah Birtles Art & Advice, February
2023
Affordable Art Fair, Singapore, November
Stickybeaks solo show, Michael Reid Murrurundi, August.
A Fabulist's Collection, solo show, Sarah Birtles Art & Advice, February.
2022
Limited release, Michael Reid Murrurundi, November
Spring Song, Grainger Gallery, Fyshwick, group show, September 2022
Affordable Art Fair Melbourne, September, 2022
Domesticus solo show, Michael Reid Murrurundi, 2—19 Jun 2022
Interconnected, group show by Beautiful Bizarre magazine at NERAM (New England Regional Art Museum), Armidale. June 2022.
Affordable Art Fair, Sydney, June 2022.
Roost, online solo show, Sarah Birtles Art & Advice, March 4, 2022.
2021
Spirit of the Times, solo online, Sarah Birtles Art & Advice, November 2021
Spring Forward, Wellington Gallery, Waterloo. October 2021
Snowy Paintings, Grainger Gallery, August 2021.
Objects de la Vie, Grainger Gallery, group show, April, 2021.
2020
Raglan Gallery two-artist show, August to October, Cooma 2020
2019
It's a Wrap, White Rhino Artspace, December 2019
Close & Familiar, White Rhino Artspace, October 2019
Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize (Finalist, emerging artist) 2019
Drummoyne Open Art Prize 2019 (Highly commended)
Eiger Chalet Easter Exhibition – April 2019, Perisher, NSW
2018
Once By Happenstance – October 2018, Gauge Gallery, Glebe.
Art for Hamlin – Celebrating Women, Farr Side Gallery, October.
Fair Isle Country - May 2018, Design & Detail, Jindabyne.
Petrichor - March 20 - April 7, 2018, Ewart Gallery, Willoughby.
Butterfly Foundation – Crows Nest.
2016
Brushstrokes at the Bay, October 29, 2016, Primrose Park, Cammeray.
Tea With Kerrie, July 6- July 29, 2016, Ewart Gallery, Willoughby.
Awards
Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize (Finalist, emerging artist) 2019
Drummoyne Open Art Prize 2019 (Highly commended)