Tyler Redway
LOCAL Mount Gambier artist Nita Von Stanke continues to showcase her skill and enjoyment for painting and art.
Her specialised acrylic style brings techniques derived from realism, as well as inspiration from the late Sir Hans Heysen, a world-renowned Australian landscape painter.
Ms Von Stanke found the time to talk to The Border Watch about her beginnings and inspirations for work.
“I’ve always enjoyed drawing and anything to do with art ever since I was a kid,” Ms Von Stanke said.
“When I left school, I started going to a well-known artist in the Riverland called Garry Duncan and I went to him for about three months.”
After her time with Mr Duncan as a mentor, Ms Von Stanke moved to Mount Gambier in 1983 in order to pursue a career in sport.
At the same time, she also studied art at TAFE for 12 months before her sports career became a priority.
It was not until 26 years later, in 2009, when Ms Von Stanke decided to take up art full-time.
Her medium mainly included acrylic on canvas or paper, with one of her creations said to have taken about 102 hours to complete.
“I dabble in collages and abstract stuff and have done a little bit of watercolour, but mostly acrylic because I find oils take too long to dry and I get impatient,” she said.
The avid artist said she classified herself as a realist painter despite the genre being one of her major challenges.
Despite having a large collection of unique artworks, Ms Von Stanke’s personal favourite was a collage and charcoal portrait of her son which hangs in her living room.
“I did a painting for a friend for his 60th birthday but, because of the pandemic, I just have not been able to give it to him,” she said.
Throughout her extensive art career, Ms Von Stanke has also been the highlight of a number of art exhibitions across the State.
One highlight for the artist was her first solo exhibition held in Adelaide several years ago.
“I would like to do another solo exhibition one day, but time wise at the moment it’s just not possible,” she said.
Gaining most of her inspiration from photographs of landscapes, Ms Von Stanke said she was greatly inspired by her great-uncle who was also an artist.
“To anyone who feels a little bit unsure about getting into art I always say just give it a go and keep practicing,” Ms Von Stanke said.
Enjoying giving encouragement, the artist was never interested in teaching yet continues to guide beginner artists if they ask.
“I can go out into my studio and just paint all day if I wanted to, or if I could, and forget about everything,” she said.
“If people are struggling with life or have issues then art is definitely mentally beneficial.”
