Canvassing Gerringong

BURGEONING Gerroa artist, Sue Irvin is about to enter a landmark period of her career, embarking on her first solos exhibition a body of work she describes as contemporary, fresh and challenging to conservative tastes.

The series ...to the sea has been described as presenting a cohesive, thematic collection of paintings that reflect the artists passion for her surrounds.

Mrs Irvin said she was looking at her first solo exhibition as a big step professionally saying she saw it as a great opportunity to showcase both a body of work and subject area she was passionate about as she explores the local areas access to the sea.

The series is concerned with how access to Werri Beach occurs, she said. Walkways, sand paths, bridges and rock platforms feature alongside imposing headlines and sand dunes. Using thick slashes of oils, I have tried to simplify the local landscape with bold gestures and colours.

As a retired art teacher Mrs Irvins art career has taken off since finding more time to focus on her painting saying she has thoroughly enjoyed the extra time to paint going so far as to describe the practise of creating art as a primal urge.

I am painting all the time, its a cathartic creative outlet that I cannot do without, she said. If I am not in my garage painting with oils I am out sketching a variety of scenes simply trying to make it work. Often I will go back and sketch a scene I am having trouble with a couple of times, just to look at it in different ways. If you try and simplify it, it becomes easier to paint.

Mrs Irvin will be available to discuss her featured works and the future of contemporary art at the official opening of ...to the sea at Bellachara from 4pm Saturday June 10.