Helen Pain will again be exhibiting at The Garden with her most recent exhibition 'Encounters with Nature'.

“This title explains exactly what this exhibition is. Each painting is a response to a place or an object I have encountered, and that has left an indelible imprint on my memory. There will be a mix of landscapes and seascapes, still life studies and floral images. Music has had an unconscious but definite influence on my artistic style. I enjoy painting quickly and freely, in an impressionistic style, using acrylics and mixed media to create texture and interest." Helen Pain.

This exhibition will be on display from Thursday 24th August until Wednesday 20th September 2023.

This exhibition is a visual feast, featuring a variety of artworks that represent the many influences and inspirations that have shaped Vocanec's work. From her early explorations of the human subconscious mind to her more recent work influenced by natural elements, each piece marks a turning point in her artistic development. Taking inspiration from human emotion and the internal language in our minds, through to an external observation of nature. Nature provides us with an eternal pool of colour and design of breath taking proportions.

Robyn has lived in Foxground since the late 1970's and it and the surrounding lands continue to inspire her work. Lately her style has taken on a more abstract direction, but it is always inspired by sketches and photos that she has made on location. Her work features lively colour schemes and interesting textures and often incorporates other elements like collage.

'Summer Sunsets' has been inspired by Kristal's south coast surroundings and she has used vibrant acrylics on canvas to explore the emotive hues of sunset. This new body of work captures these fleeting moments of afternoon light across land and sky, delving into the beautiful sunset colour palettes of nature.

A collection of vibrant and colourful artworks reminiscent of long salty days at the rock pool, balmy nights on the verandah drinking tea, festive celebrations and summer love...

let’s talk about art’ reveals the contrasts and contradictions of Gennifer's approach to storytelling in art; all the good things and the bad things, while being a reflection of life. Conflicting qualities of order and chaos, joy and sorrow, light and dark can and do coexist and bounce off each other. Art, like life, is always beautiful, it’s the emotional power of art that is sometimes unsettling, complex or disturbing.

"After I return from an overseas holiday, friends often ask if I am inspired to paint my holiday experiences. Well, most of the time I tell them I don't need to travel further than life right here on the South Coast... So many moments crammed into my files for future works, and I will never have the time to realise even half of them. This exhibition is just some of these inspirations realised, close to Berry." 

"This Collection is inspired by the glorious gardens in our local area. Spaces that capture our imaginations and allow us to slow down and connect with the natural world... A visit from a King Parrot on the garden fence, to a vase filled with home grown flowers. These moments remind us to appreciate our every day surroundings and the simplicity of nature."

Renee's inspiration for painting bright landscapes often stems from the beauty of nature itself. The South Coast has that in abundance. Sunny days, blue skies, lush green meadows, the play of light and shadows on tranquil waters... they are the perfect combination to put on canvas. With heavy bold texture and a palette knife, her strokes free up the process to capture the rawness of the land. These scenes evoke feelings of joy and serenity, capturing that perfect day. 

"The paintings in this exhibition were selected from works that use many different styles and media. Their common factor is that they are all images of favourite subjects. What could be more colourful than our Australian landscape? What is more fascinating than the varied forms and beauty of flowers? It is this natural world that inspires me. This is what I choose to paint! I hope viewers enjoy these landscape and floral Favourites!" Helen Pain

For many artists living in Australia, engagement with the landscape is inevitable. Travelling around Australia in her early 20's, living in remote areas, has given Rebecca a strong sense of spirit and connection to place. Sketching en plain air, she then returns to her studio where she builds layers of impasto and oil paint to convey the mood and the beauty of the chosen scene. From the Illawarra escarpment meeting the ocean, to the rolling hills & vistas of the Shoalhaven, 'Light & Landscapes' is an exhibition not to be missed.