A Professional artist that has been teaching painting internationally and across Australia for over 20 years.“To leap into the unknown every so often is good for the soul, all be it sometimes terrifying and confronting.” 

James has been painting in watercolour for over 25 years and has exhibited his work in galleries throughout Australia and Southern Africa for the last 10 years.

James was born and spent most of his life on a farm in Africa where he started to paint scenes from the farm and African life. Some 20 years ago he moved to make Australia his home, and fell in love with the Australian landscape particularly the old farms, the warm soft colours and the light. This inspired him to paint more seriously.

He paints loosely in watercolour using wet into wet techniques “the faster I work the more feeling the painting has”. He does a lot of his work on site and is passionate about painting in the great outdoors.

Local Fine Artist/Illustrator Louise Saunders (Awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to Wildlife Conservation and Visual Arts 2019) is best known for her fine detailed watercolour botanicals.

David Well’s stunning pastel work has featured internationally on the cover of both the Pastel Journal and The Artist Magazine, while his portrait of Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge is now part of the Royal Family’s art collection.
With a focus on portraits and figurative work, David has been the recipient of a long list of local and international awards and has exhibited extensively in South East Queensland, and in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.

Practicing artist Isabella Allis teaches portraiture, still life and landscapes in various mediums including oils, charcoal, graphite and coloured pencils. Best known for her portraits in oils, Isabella works on a commission basis and has entered many competitions. Her portrait of Dr Jeannette Young (now Governor of Queensland) was a finalist in the inaugural 2019 Brisbane Portrait Prize.  Her love of dance is evident in her figurative artworks as can be seen in “Picnic I” which won the 2021 Petite Pieces competition at Aspire Gallery. Isabella finds a lot of joy in working with students to develop their skills and define their personal journey in art.

Sandra Temple’s passionate interest in wildlife, and particularly in wildlife conservation, is evident in her art, in her teaching and in her support for the field of wildlife art in Australia. With more than 30 years experience as a professional artist, illustrator and author, as well as a sought after teacher, tutor and art judge, Sandra has worked in all mediums – but has a strong interest in mixed medium art works.

Manuela has been a practising artist and teacher for more than thirty years working and exhibiting in the UK, Spain, and Australia. Her field of interest is life drawing and portraiture using oil or charcoal. Recently, she has won first prize for her portrait in the 2021 d’Arcy Doyle Art Awards. In 2017 Manuela fulfilled a lifelong dream to study in Italy and attended the Florence Academy of Art allowing her to work with artists trained in the classical skills that Italy is renowned for. Her initial training was at Sheffield Hallam University (UK) where she studied a Fine Art BA Hons course and it is there that she discovered a passion for working with figurative art.

Born in Mildura, Craig has shown an interest in art and drawing from a very young age and has created a successful career as a professional artist.
In 1970, the family moved to the Western District of Victoria and Craig’s love of art and artistic interests extended into ceramics
and sculpture.
Studying art at Ballarat University, painting and graphic design allowing him to pursued a successful career as an illustrator.

Craig has skills in a range of mediums. He taught both traditional drawing, illustration and digital drawing at both Victoria University and Swinburne University. Craig never lost his love of using traditional methods and specialises in watercolour, acrylic painting and illustration.

In 2001, Craig had his first major solo exhibition in Mt Eliza, Victoria. There have been many exhibitions since. Craig’s work has been accepted by Galleries and private collections in Australia and around the world and is ​in strong demand today.

Jan Lawnikanis has been teaching weekly art lessons continuously for the past 27 years and she has tutored over 200 workshops in various locations around Australia. Students in all mediums have praised Jan for her teaching skills and this has gained her an excellent reputation with all ages.

In her personal art career, Jan’s beautifully presented work in various mediums has won many first prizes and other awards. For the last few years Jan has represented Australia in the international watercolour exhibition Fabriano In Aquarello, in Italy.

Her commissions range from school theatre sets to a set for the QLD Conservatory of Music, 40 artworks for an apartment building, 15 artworks for an office floor, paintings for a restaurant as well as school murals and private works for client’s homes.

Jan has been the featured artist in Australian Artist Magazine, with 5 full-length articles on using coloured pencils, along with publishing and creating her own eBook.

Professional Melbourne born soft pastel artist Jenny Mack has been creating and selling art for forty years. Having a passion for animals, Jenny decided to specialise in pet portraiture almost four years ago and hasn’t looked back. She is probably best known for imparting the character of each animal in her work, and loves creating an emotional connection with the viewer. Her pet portraits are now commissioned from collectors worldwide. Jenny is a member of The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia. She has worked in a number of mediums in the past but currently works solely in soft pastel, enjoying its vibrancy and wonderful layering abilities.

Penelope Gilbert-Ng’s journey as an artist started aged 3, Studied at East Sydney Technical College late teens (Diploma of Painting, 1971) and furthering her development with her painting in isolation in Papua New Guinea (13 years).  On returning to Australia 1986 studied with noted artists in Australia, New York (Pastel Society of America Scholarship), and New Mexico (International Association of Societies Convention). Penelope believes that continual learning is essential for self-development as an artist. She is Past President of Pastel Society of Australia and Master Pastellist and Life Member with the Pastel Society of Australia, Past President and Fellow of the Royal Qld Art Society and sought-after tutor with Art Societies and Groups Nationally in all mediums. Penelope has been a finalist in the Archibald and Portia Geach Portrait Prizes and has had numerous solo and joint exhibitions. Her commissioned paintings are represented in corporate/ private collections worldwide. Winner of many competitions combining knowledge and dedication to her art has enabled her to judge shows since 2002. Penelope has written 9 articles for The Australian Artist Magazine.