Jean's Artwork 01

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WELCOME to my Gallery of NATURE'S WONDERS

I have always loved flowers, but since starting Botanical Art classes in 2000, I have a new appreciation for the intricate detail and wonderful designs to be found in nature. Prior to this I had only 'dabbled' with watercolour without much success.

Under the guidance of professional artist Terry Napier, I have now learned so much about looking at detail, being aware of the light and trying to portray the 'personality' of a flower, leaf, insect or bird.

The intricacies of nature are so complex. The pleasure of studying a flower in detail and capturing it's beauty in a painting is a joy indeed!

I trust you will enjoy viewing these paintings as much as I have enjoyed creating them.

As well as "taking time to smell the roses", we need to "see" the real beauty and amazing detail in every form of nature and do all we can to keep the world around us in good shape.

Jean Smith

Drosera (Sundew)

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Oak Leaves

Superb Blue Wren

Budgies in the Bush

Feijoa

Nasturtium

Coming Up...... "Beyond the Mask II"

This is an exhibition featuring art and crafts by people living with Parkinson's.

(I have entered 4 watercolours.)

Date: Friday 27th August until Tuesday 14th September 2010

Venue: KINGSTON ART CENTRE 979 Nepean Hwy, MOORABBIN

Open: Monday to Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 12.30pm - 5.30pm

Recent Exhibition

NATURE ....and a BRUSH.

Art Space at the Bundoora Extended Care Centre was the venue for my first Solo Exhibition.

It is a busy area of the Centre with staff, patients and families, as well as the general public,

being able to view 14 paintings.

There were many favourable comments and I am pleased that my paintings may have added a little

touch of brightness to the day of those coping with difficulties.

I would like to thank Karen for her help in hanging the exhibition and looking after sales.

List of Achievements

2007 12 Australian Wildflower paintings, commissioned for an English Trade Calendar.

2008 Visions at Heritage Best Still Life/Floral

2008 Warrandyte Rotary Show Highly Commended

2009 Christmas Card "The Holly & the Gum" Design and artwork donated to Parkinson's Vic

Exhibitions Successfully shown at

Beyond the Mask Works by People Living with Parkinson's 2005

Park Orchards Nature in Art Annual Exhibitions 2001 - 2009

Visions at Heritage Country Club 2008

Warrandyte Rotary Art Shows 2006 - 2010

Nature ....and a Brush Bundoors Extended Care Centre June 2010

Paintings are also in private collections in England, Germany and around Australia.

In 2001, less than a year after I began watercolour classes, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's. All I knew about Parkinson's was that you walked with a shuffle and your hands shook. My first thoughts were that this would be the end of my two favourite hobbies - playing the piano and my painting. But my fears were unfounded and now in 2010, with the help of medication, I am still doing both. Every day I am thankful that I can escape from the real world with music or the relaxing but challenging art of painting nature. My digital camera is a wonderful aid for close-up detail and if painting becomes too difficult in the future then I will concentrate on photography! Jean S.