PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS
Elgin Artists was started by Evan Walker whose passion for painting was realised after he retired from public life in 2005. The Group is nearly 20 years old. and made up of retired men and women who all had full professional lives but all secretly yearned to paint or sculpt.
The entire group generally meets for the annual AGM but between these meetings there are numerous excursions to local and regional Art Exhibitions and various Victorian destinations. In 2023 a group went to Italy to paint, building on earlier overseas trips to France, Japan and India.
Artists paint in the studio too, talking and painting together in the development of artistic skills and knowledge. This year we began a series of Art Talks led by members and followed by lunch or dinner. Our annual Life Drawing classes have continued.
Elgin Artists stage an annual three day Exhibition where we share our work with friends and family and the wider community. In 2024 we will also exhibit in the Hawthorn Town Hall.
We are indebted to Peter and Liz Jones for allowing us to use the downstairs space in the Elgin Place Studio. In addition to our Open Studio, we welcome you to our fourth Virtual Exhibition which commences on Friday 17th November (1-9pm) and then on the following Saturday and Sunday (10am-5pm).
Should you wish to purchase a work, please contact the artist directly, via their email address or telephone number which is displayed next to their name. Please note that postage or delivery costs are not included.
All images are owned by the artists and are not to be reproduced without their permission - thank you.
Dee Clements
President- Elgin Artists.
Elgin Artists was started by Evan Walker whose passion for painting was realised after he retired from public life in 2005. The Group is nearly 20 years old. and made up of retired men and women who all had full professional lives but all secretly yearned to paint or sculpt.
The entire group generally meets for the annual AGM but between these meetings there are numerous excursions to local and regional Art Exhibitions and various Victorian destinations. In 2023 a group went to Italy to paint, building on earlier overseas trips to France, Japan and India.
Artists paint in the studio too, talking and painting together in the development of artistic skills and knowledge. This year we began a series of Art Talks led by members and followed by lunch or dinner. Our annual Life Drawing classes have continued.
Elgin Artists stage an annual three day Exhibition where we share our work with friends and family and the wider community. In 2024 we will also exhibit in the Hawthorn Town Hall.
We are indebted to Peter and Liz Jones for allowing us to use the downstairs space in the Elgin Place Studio. In addition to our Open Studio, we welcome you to our fourth Virtual Exhibition which commences on Friday 17th November (1-9pm) and then on the following Saturday and Sunday (10am-5pm).
Should you wish to purchase a work, please contact the artist directly, via their email address or telephone number which is displayed next to their name. Please note that postage or delivery costs are not included.
All images are owned by the artists and are not to be reproduced without their permission - thank you.
Dee Clements
President- Elgin Artists.
ARTISTS' WORKS 2023
DEE CLEMENTS [email protected]
I have always loved to draw and paint but was unable to do so until I retired from Education in 2005. Since then I have tried oils, acrylic, watercolour and pastel; my subjects have been as varied. During the Covid lockdown I lived at Barwon Heads and painted daily. I have been a member of Elgin Artists for over ten years and have enjoyed using the studio and traveling with the other artists within Australia and overseas.
Firm friendships have developed within our Art Group and we encourage and inspire each other. We look forward to our annual exhibition and the chance to show our work to friends, family and the wider community. Next year we will also be exhibiting at the Hawthorn Town Hall.
I have always loved to draw and paint but was unable to do so until I retired from Education in 2005. Since then I have tried oils, acrylic, watercolour and pastel; my subjects have been as varied. During the Covid lockdown I lived at Barwon Heads and painted daily. I have been a member of Elgin Artists for over ten years and have enjoyed using the studio and traveling with the other artists within Australia and overseas.
Firm friendships have developed within our Art Group and we encourage and inspire each other. We look forward to our annual exhibition and the chance to show our work to friends, family and the wider community. Next year we will also be exhibiting at the Hawthorn Town Hall.
GORDON CARTER [email protected]
I have been engaged in producing ‘art’ since retiring from work some 12 years ago, including printmaking (etching and lino cut) and oil painting. The last 6 years have been spent in the studio of the Elgin Artists where I have been able to develop my painting of different subject matters, including still life and animals - seven of which I have produced for this year’s Exhibition.
My intention for 2024 is to experiment with watercolour and other mediums both inside the studio and outside ‘en plein air’, as well as working on a series of paintings for an Elgin Artist group exhibition at the Hawthorn Town Hall later next year. Something I am very much looking forward to.
I have been engaged in producing ‘art’ since retiring from work some 12 years ago, including printmaking (etching and lino cut) and oil painting. The last 6 years have been spent in the studio of the Elgin Artists where I have been able to develop my painting of different subject matters, including still life and animals - seven of which I have produced for this year’s Exhibition.
My intention for 2024 is to experiment with watercolour and other mediums both inside the studio and outside ‘en plein air’, as well as working on a series of paintings for an Elgin Artist group exhibition at the Hawthorn Town Hall later next year. Something I am very much looking forward to.
PETER JONES [email protected]
I came to art and more specifically to painting with water colours when I retired after a 30 year career with an international oil company and a short couple of years in the alumina industry. I have a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
With the encouragement of my mother-in-law who was herself an accomplished artist, and my background in both mathematics and engineering, I took up botanical illustration. For the first 5 years or so, I painted exclusively botanical subjects. I then started to branch out into water colour, which was much more an impressionistic style and subject matter.
Venice en plein air provided my early inspiration and I have visited there several times and never get tired of it. Helped by a wonderful teacher and the magic of technology, the internet and “Zoom”, I have been as active as possible over the last 3 years or more while Covid-19 rampaged through the community. This has not been as productive as I would have wished. So for me this 2023 Open Studio exhibition is representative of the recent past as well as contemporary work.
I came to art and more specifically to painting with water colours when I retired after a 30 year career with an international oil company and a short couple of years in the alumina industry. I have a PhD in Chemical Engineering.
With the encouragement of my mother-in-law who was herself an accomplished artist, and my background in both mathematics and engineering, I took up botanical illustration. For the first 5 years or so, I painted exclusively botanical subjects. I then started to branch out into water colour, which was much more an impressionistic style and subject matter.
Venice en plein air provided my early inspiration and I have visited there several times and never get tired of it. Helped by a wonderful teacher and the magic of technology, the internet and “Zoom”, I have been as active as possible over the last 3 years or more while Covid-19 rampaged through the community. This has not been as productive as I would have wished. So for me this 2023 Open Studio exhibition is representative of the recent past as well as contemporary work.
DAVID JELLIE [email protected]
My painting has stalled since the start of the Covid lockdown because I have been concentrating on writing. However, my largest and most recent literary work is coming to an end and I hope to devote more energy to my painting.
The paintings in this exhibition comprise two recent ones and the remainder are somewhat older. You can see that I don’t seek to depict realism in my painting. In fact, I continually strive to become more abstract – but it is difficult to achieve. It is a battle between the eyes and the mind. I quite deliberately exaggerate shapes and colours not so much to change the nature of what I am painting but to express my feeling of what I am seeing.
You will also see that I love colour. I love the work of Vincent van Gogh, André Derain and Henri Matisse and the art movement of Fauvism - for its use of bold, sometimes unnatural, colours. I am also keen to explore new themes in my art. To date, I have concentrated on landscape – which I love painting – but I have a few ideas in my head about subjects relating to my professional life as an engineer. Who knows? Perhaps next year you will be gazing upon an exhibition of bridges!
My painting has stalled since the start of the Covid lockdown because I have been concentrating on writing. However, my largest and most recent literary work is coming to an end and I hope to devote more energy to my painting.
The paintings in this exhibition comprise two recent ones and the remainder are somewhat older. You can see that I don’t seek to depict realism in my painting. In fact, I continually strive to become more abstract – but it is difficult to achieve. It is a battle between the eyes and the mind. I quite deliberately exaggerate shapes and colours not so much to change the nature of what I am painting but to express my feeling of what I am seeing.
You will also see that I love colour. I love the work of Vincent van Gogh, André Derain and Henri Matisse and the art movement of Fauvism - for its use of bold, sometimes unnatural, colours. I am also keen to explore new themes in my art. To date, I have concentrated on landscape – which I love painting – but I have a few ideas in my head about subjects relating to my professional life as an engineer. Who knows? Perhaps next year you will be gazing upon an exhibition of bridges!
LOUISE HILLS [email protected]
My artistic journey started when I finished my secondary education and went to the RMIT Art School for two years. I then trained as an art teacher and spent the next 5 years in state and private schools. I also worked as an art therapist in a psychiatric facility. After many years moving between Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand I decided to return to art classes.
These comprised adult education classes in watercolour in Melbourne and Adelaide, a week with Tony Smibert in Tasmania, and several courses at the Central School of Art in Adelaide, and then joining the Adelaide Art Society, where I enjoyed many life drawing sessions. Following these courses I exhibited with the Pastel Society, Adelaide Art Society and at the Adelaide Masonic Exhibition, and now with the Elgin Artists.
I currently enjoy working with coloured pencil and other drawing media, as seen in this exhibition.
My artistic journey started when I finished my secondary education and went to the RMIT Art School for two years. I then trained as an art teacher and spent the next 5 years in state and private schools. I also worked as an art therapist in a psychiatric facility. After many years moving between Victoria, South Australia and New Zealand I decided to return to art classes.
These comprised adult education classes in watercolour in Melbourne and Adelaide, a week with Tony Smibert in Tasmania, and several courses at the Central School of Art in Adelaide, and then joining the Adelaide Art Society, where I enjoyed many life drawing sessions. Following these courses I exhibited with the Pastel Society, Adelaide Art Society and at the Adelaide Masonic Exhibition, and now with the Elgin Artists.
I currently enjoy working with coloured pencil and other drawing media, as seen in this exhibition.
RON HUNT [email protected]
For as long as I can remember I have drawn, written poetry and painted using a variety of media and I still enjoy it as much as I always have. I have had studios in Manton Lane, Melbourne, Appleton Street Galleries, Richmond, and now work in the Elgin Artists studio in Elgin Place, Hawthorn.
I was short listed as a finalist in the Clifton Art Prize and was the Director and Editor of the film “This is Chadstone” which won the Grand Prix at the Milan UNESCO Film Festival.
I have worked on Commission and have exhibited with Emerald Hill Artists and The Elgin Artists.
I currently enjoy painting with Egg Tempera, Oil and Charcoal, as shown in the Exhibition, along with writing, as seen in my short volume of Poetry entitled “Reflections”.
For as long as I can remember I have drawn, written poetry and painted using a variety of media and I still enjoy it as much as I always have. I have had studios in Manton Lane, Melbourne, Appleton Street Galleries, Richmond, and now work in the Elgin Artists studio in Elgin Place, Hawthorn.
I was short listed as a finalist in the Clifton Art Prize and was the Director and Editor of the film “This is Chadstone” which won the Grand Prix at the Milan UNESCO Film Festival.
I have worked on Commission and have exhibited with Emerald Hill Artists and The Elgin Artists.
I currently enjoy painting with Egg Tempera, Oil and Charcoal, as shown in the Exhibition, along with writing, as seen in my short volume of Poetry entitled “Reflections”.
RON MULLER [email protected]
After retiring from my ‘real job’, I revived my boyhood interest in art. I soon found my natural medium in water colour as it seemed to best suit my inclination to express the light, atmosphere and beauty of the natural environment, especially the Australian landscape. Not surprisingly, I was influenced by the work of Hans Heysen and the Romantic tradition, especially JW Turner and Romantic poets. The light of early morning and late afternoon are for me, ‘the magic hours’ and I seek to often interpret subjects with the aim of creating ‘visual poetry’.
Art can be a rather solitary pursuit and I have enjoyed the balance of teaching and taking workshops, especially overseas in Tuscany and France. After doing a demonstration for the Elgin Artists in 2014, I joined the group not only to paint at the studio but to enjoy the stimulation of socialising with like minded people who find continuing satisfaction in the creative process.
For more information about my background, images of my work, awards etc, please refer to my website: www.ronmuller.com.au
After retiring from my ‘real job’, I revived my boyhood interest in art. I soon found my natural medium in water colour as it seemed to best suit my inclination to express the light, atmosphere and beauty of the natural environment, especially the Australian landscape. Not surprisingly, I was influenced by the work of Hans Heysen and the Romantic tradition, especially JW Turner and Romantic poets. The light of early morning and late afternoon are for me, ‘the magic hours’ and I seek to often interpret subjects with the aim of creating ‘visual poetry’.
Art can be a rather solitary pursuit and I have enjoyed the balance of teaching and taking workshops, especially overseas in Tuscany and France. After doing a demonstration for the Elgin Artists in 2014, I joined the group not only to paint at the studio but to enjoy the stimulation of socialising with like minded people who find continuing satisfaction in the creative process.
For more information about my background, images of my work, awards etc, please refer to my website: www.ronmuller.com.au
LIZ MONTGOMERY [email protected]
I have been painting for a few years now, and since joining the Elgin Artists in 2015, not only have I had much fun, education, encouragement and expansion of horizons in art, but the chance to socialise with a greatly diverse group of artistic people. In all that time I have had the opportunity to exhibit along with the group in its annual exhibitions, even despite the difficulties incurred because of lockdown.
This year, I have painted again with oils. A captivating experience, though water-colour still has great attraction for me. My works explore the glory of our Australian bush - which I truly love; its flora and spectacular rock formations, discoverable in these works in both W.A. and Central Australia. The natural colours of this part of our Australia never cease to amaze and delight me.
I have been painting for a few years now, and since joining the Elgin Artists in 2015, not only have I had much fun, education, encouragement and expansion of horizons in art, but the chance to socialise with a greatly diverse group of artistic people. In all that time I have had the opportunity to exhibit along with the group in its annual exhibitions, even despite the difficulties incurred because of lockdown.
This year, I have painted again with oils. A captivating experience, though water-colour still has great attraction for me. My works explore the glory of our Australian bush - which I truly love; its flora and spectacular rock formations, discoverable in these works in both W.A. and Central Australia. The natural colours of this part of our Australia never cease to amaze and delight me.
JOHN H MAYNARD [email protected]
I had been a practicing pathologist until 2012 when I retired. The requirement in pathology to recognize patterns and colours has proved to be a big assistance in my painting. I have been painting in oils for a number of years; first commencing painting in the 1970’s in Dandenong, under the late John Balmain who was my teacher and a pupil in Max Meldrum’s tonal school. I have had one exhibition in the 1970’s as well as exhibiting for the last three years with the Elgin Artists group.
I have recently taken a greater interest in sketching with pencil, charcoal, with Taylors chalk, and recently with rapid watercolour impressions. I always take a sketch book and watercolour pad with me when travelling. In recent years I have visited my family in Connecticut USA and captured many happy moments with them. Spending summer at Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula provides a challenge to my watercolour painting.
I had been a practicing pathologist until 2012 when I retired. The requirement in pathology to recognize patterns and colours has proved to be a big assistance in my painting. I have been painting in oils for a number of years; first commencing painting in the 1970’s in Dandenong, under the late John Balmain who was my teacher and a pupil in Max Meldrum’s tonal school. I have had one exhibition in the 1970’s as well as exhibiting for the last three years with the Elgin Artists group.
I have recently taken a greater interest in sketching with pencil, charcoal, with Taylors chalk, and recently with rapid watercolour impressions. I always take a sketch book and watercolour pad with me when travelling. In recent years I have visited my family in Connecticut USA and captured many happy moments with them. Spending summer at Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula provides a challenge to my watercolour painting.
JENNY MOLES [email protected]
I have been a member of Elgin Artists and exhibited annually with them since 2015.
My work is somewhat varied and I have previously shown life drawings, landscapes and the figure as landscape. I especially love drawing in charcoal and pastel and my paintings show my same hand. This year I am exhibiting paper collages. The papers are a mix of purchased and found material.
I made my first collages from found materials at the University of Chicago Midway Studios in 1977, where I attended a course in two dimensional composition taught by Laura Volkerding (now deceased). I returned to making collages in early 2022.
There are a variety of collage styles being shown but all use only paper and generally display images and colours frequently found in my work. I enjoy the graphic results of collage making and the opportunity collage offers to explore colour and form in a very direct manner.
I have been a member of Elgin Artists and exhibited annually with them since 2015.
My work is somewhat varied and I have previously shown life drawings, landscapes and the figure as landscape. I especially love drawing in charcoal and pastel and my paintings show my same hand. This year I am exhibiting paper collages. The papers are a mix of purchased and found material.
I made my first collages from found materials at the University of Chicago Midway Studios in 1977, where I attended a course in two dimensional composition taught by Laura Volkerding (now deceased). I returned to making collages in early 2022.
There are a variety of collage styles being shown but all use only paper and generally display images and colours frequently found in my work. I enjoy the graphic results of collage making and the opportunity collage offers to explore colour and form in a very direct manner.
RODNEY WULFF [email protected]
As a professional landscape architect, I have been sketching the natural and built environment for over fifty years. Recently I have been experimenting with a range of techniques including watercolours, pencil and ink and pencil (using a liquid banishing technique).
INTENT AND INSPIRATION
All watercolour paintings are on cold pressed medium 300 GSM watercolour paper. Each artwork is a limited edition giclee print. In this work, I aimed to evoke the way in which light occurs in the landscape. The paintings use traditional colours such as yellow ochre, lemon yellow, cadmium rose, rose madder, dark indigo, French ultramarine, cobalt blue, cerulean blue and burnt sienna.
Note
All paintings have been originally painted on watercolour paper. The price quoted is for giclee prints on cotton rag. All images are owned by the artist and cannot be reproduced without the artist’s permission.
As a professional landscape architect, I have been sketching the natural and built environment for over fifty years. Recently I have been experimenting with a range of techniques including watercolours, pencil and ink and pencil (using a liquid banishing technique).
INTENT AND INSPIRATION
All watercolour paintings are on cold pressed medium 300 GSM watercolour paper. Each artwork is a limited edition giclee print. In this work, I aimed to evoke the way in which light occurs in the landscape. The paintings use traditional colours such as yellow ochre, lemon yellow, cadmium rose, rose madder, dark indigo, French ultramarine, cobalt blue, cerulean blue and burnt sienna.
Note
All paintings have been originally painted on watercolour paper. The price quoted is for giclee prints on cotton rag. All images are owned by the artist and cannot be reproduced without the artist’s permission.
PETER SANDERS [email protected]
Works for this year are landscapes and a figurative sculpture. The landscapes are from Tuscany and the Grampians (Gariwerd). Both areas were places visited by Elgin Artists this year.
The paintings are intended to capture the spirit of the places. Gariwerd is a dramatic and mysterious area while Tuscany is a cultured landscape with ordered rows of vines and olives; rich in its own way. The contrast with colours, form and mood are striking.
RELAXED is a lost wax unique casting in bronze. Sculpted in wax from life some years ago and recently modified, it shows the sensuous female form in a casual and supple pose.
Works for this year are landscapes and a figurative sculpture. The landscapes are from Tuscany and the Grampians (Gariwerd). Both areas were places visited by Elgin Artists this year.
The paintings are intended to capture the spirit of the places. Gariwerd is a dramatic and mysterious area while Tuscany is a cultured landscape with ordered rows of vines and olives; rich in its own way. The contrast with colours, form and mood are striking.
RELAXED is a lost wax unique casting in bronze. Sculpted in wax from life some years ago and recently modified, it shows the sensuous female form in a casual and supple pose.
DEREK SKUES [email protected]
Having trained as an architect I was exposed to the visual arts before I turned twenty, including appreciation of two and three dimensional composition, perspective drawing, skiagraphy and the use of colour, however, it was not until I retired in 2010 that I had the opportunity to develop my painting skills, using a great variety of media.
I undertook lessons with the Beaumaris Art Group for five years, including still life, landscape, portraiture and life drawing, and joined the Elgin Artists in late 2013, where I have developed my own style, influenced by those around me in the studio.
This year, for the first time, I exhibit acrylic works on a square canvas based on annual visits to northern New South Wales, time with the Elgin Artists in the Grampians and Tuscany, and a final work attempting to capture the character of Hawthorn.
Having trained as an architect I was exposed to the visual arts before I turned twenty, including appreciation of two and three dimensional composition, perspective drawing, skiagraphy and the use of colour, however, it was not until I retired in 2010 that I had the opportunity to develop my painting skills, using a great variety of media.
I undertook lessons with the Beaumaris Art Group for five years, including still life, landscape, portraiture and life drawing, and joined the Elgin Artists in late 2013, where I have developed my own style, influenced by those around me in the studio.
This year, for the first time, I exhibit acrylic works on a square canvas based on annual visits to northern New South Wales, time with the Elgin Artists in the Grampians and Tuscany, and a final work attempting to capture the character of Hawthorn.
