Sophie Conlon
After picking up a paint brush for the first time less than three years ago a Mount Gambier/ Berrin resident is excited to host her first art exhibition this this month.
Michelle Curtis started painting to help her destress after a busy day working in the hospital, but since then she has found a passion for creating new scenes.
The artist said her first ever completed work was a portrait of her father, as she said she did not have many pictures of him.
The initial realism piece titled Dad inspired more of the same detailed work, before Ms Curtis found her stride.
With works inspired by Pablo Picasso and Johannes Vermeer, Ms Curtis said she loved colour, but did not want to be pigeonholed into one style.
“So that’s why this is very eclectic, I’m trying to be very abstract,” she said.
“It’s just a big learning experience and learning with colour and trying to tell my story in that colour and the paintings.”
Since beginning her art journey Ms Curtis said she had been able to relax more and instead of being pedantic like when she stated, she now enjoyed limiting herself with the amount of colours she could use.
As well as completing works quicker, she said she felt more relaxed using her eclectic style.
The exhibition, Genesis, came about after Ms Curtis showcased her work in a shared show at Penola’s Gallery 54.
“We got together and all put a couple of paintings into the Gallery 54 and I thought, ‘oh, wouldn’t mind just trying to express myself’,” she said.
“I looked at other exhibitions and thought I could probably do that, and it was something I needed to just jump in to and not be afraid.
“I wanted to prove to myself that I can take that next step and push myself.”
Ms Curtis hoped Genesis would help her build her name in the art world locally, and maybe even nationally.
“Genesis is just growth, this is the beginning for me and I want to go further and express myself further with the paintings and explore a lot more with what I’ve started with,” she said.
Genesis: Beginning of an art journey with Michelle Curtis and friends will officially open with a meet the artist and speaker event on Sunday, April 7 from 12noon.
Find the show in the Port MacDonnell Community Complex gallery from April 7 to May 31.
