The exhibition: Colour Inspirations (31 March - 12 April, 2025) showcases an array of works by talented and accomplished watercolour artists in the Ocean View Art Group. The group was co-founded in 2005 by Susan Payne, and has been going strong for 20 years!
Lorraine Gardner
Images, left to right: Out of the Shadows and Morning Glow by Lorraine Gardner (supplied)
I am influenced by the beauty of country and nature, and my artwork aims to portray my feelings. I started painting in oils about 50 years ago, but became passionate about watercolour painting over the past 20 years.
I enjoy my painting. I like to paint in groups of like-minded people, and I attend various groups, workshops, and demonstrations. I strive to improve my painting skills, but I also remember, "we are our own worst critics".
The best advice I've received is to "paint what you love".
I keep myself very active, but can always find time to lose myself in a painting!
Michelle Henderson
Images, left to right: Duckling and Ducks by Michelle Henderson (supplied)
I was born in Perth, and grew up in Bedford and adjoining suburbs.
After prompting from a neighbour, I started painting watercolours about 25 years ago. During the last two decades my artistic career has developed by becoming a member of several art groups (in the Northern coastal suburbs), attending demonstrations of local artists, and exhibiting my artworks at local clubs and country exhibitions when possible.
The flora and fauna in our own local environment inspires me. I aim to show my respect for it, and showcase these natural wonders in my art.
I work at a kitchen table with supplies - that's all it takes to create! I dream of painting a very large canvas one day - very daunting!
The best advice I've received is don't listen to negativity as "beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder" (Plato).
I don't always stay motivated in my art practice, to be truthful. We all have our ups and downs. I go with the flow now. If I experience a creative block, I meditate to overcome it.
Connect with Michelle:
Facebook: Michelle Henderson Artist
Instagram: Michelle Henderson Art
Barbara O’Brien
Images, left to right: Margaret River and Sunflowers by Barbara O'Brien (supplied)
Having been at home with the children for 17 years, then working for 13-and-a-half years, then my own business for 12 years, I am now retired and able to return to my love of drawing and painting.
My art career has developed through involvement in clubs of like-minded people, exhibitions, and exploring colour. I notice that even the darkest darks and the lightest lights have colours to bring out, and I aim to do that in my work. The best advice I've received is do all your painting on good watercolour paper - it may be a practice piece, but could turn out to be your masterpiece.
I work at the dining room table or the back patio table. My dream project is to paint portraits of all my grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandson.
I balance my personal life and art practice by being flexible. Sometimes one takes precedence, sometimes the other.
Susan Payne
Images, left to right: Boddington Rodeo and Time Out by Susan Payne (supplied)
As a self taught watercolourist, I have enjoyed being a part of the WA art scene which has encouraged and improved my art over the last 24 years. An active member of the Watercolour Society of WA and the Ocean View Art Group, I paint in a realist style and seek out different and quirky subjects, although I also venture into abstract and a looser style occasionally.
My work aims to reflect how versatile and wonderful the watercolour medium is. The biggest influences on my work include various workshops I have been to, e.g., Australian artists Tony Smibert, John Lovett, Malcolm Carver; visiting overseas countries and studying how they use colour and different subjects; but mostly discussing and receiving advice from my wonderful watercolour friends. The best advice I've received (from Penny Maddison) is it's all about the painting - not the reference photograph.
From attending local exhibitions (which I still support) to taking part in and attending exhibitions overseas, I love to promote watercolour and WA's watercolour artists. I recently became a member of the Australian Guild of Realist Painters which is a great honour.
I work on my dining room table, but keeping in touch with fellow artists helps me stay motivated. Reading artist books and magazines - especially the "Splash" series of books; going through the thousands of photographs I have taken which would "make a great painting" help me overcome creative blocks.
Nowadays, to balance my personal life and my art practice - it's family first and then my art.
Connect with Susan:
Facebook: Susan Payne
Pam Pettit
Images: Watercolour paintings by Pam Pettit (supplied)
Influenced by nature, my art career has developed and evolved by contact and input from other artists. I aim to give pleasure to the observer with my work.
Marion Power
Images, left to right: Grey Skies and Hamer (or Hamar) Girl, Ethiopia by Marion Power (supplied)
My art journey started with oil painting and pottery, but a wrist injury changed my focus. I have always enjoyed drawing and painting. I love using colours, organic shapes and experimenting with different techniques. I like the spontaneity of watercolours flowing and mixing. In recent years, I've aimed to learn and improve my ability with watercolours.
My biggest influences are artists like Van Gogh, Gauguin, Robert Wade, Joseph Zbukvic, Anne Blockley; and many forms from nature.
My studio room is specifically set up for art, with large drawers for paper storage, long work tops, and upright compartments for storing frames. I have plenty of areas for working and am lucky to have all this space but it always seems cluttered as I am not the tidiest artist!!
The best advice I've received is Never give up, be true to yourself and don’t copy others.
Florence Reisinger
Images: watercolour paintings by Florence Reisinger (supplied)
I have always been interested in art and the way the artist is able to capture the colour and beauty of landscapes and the subjects they see on paper. I paint for pleasure and hope my work does justice to what I see in the photos I paint from.
After I retired, I joined a few local art societies and entered their annual exhibitions. I work at my kitchen bench. The best advice I've received is how to mix colours and blending colours on paper. To overcome creative blocks, I walk away from the painting and start afresh when the mood kicks in. This helps me stay motivated in that I paint only when I feel in the mood.
June Sullivan
Images: watercolour paintings by June Sullivan (supplied)
I am a multimedia visual artist, originally from the UK, now living in Western Australia. I am also a SCUBA diver and an avid underwater photographer. I like painting most genres; and I love to combine my two hobbies of painting, and underwater photography to trigger my imagination to paint underwater creatures and scenes.
My work is semi-realistic, but I like to inject a sense of humour and personality into my work whenever I can. My biggest influences are nature and the ocean.
I have drawn and painted for as long as I can remember. I am mainly self-taught, however in 1990 I attended college in the UK to have formal watercolour lessons. After emigrating to Australia in 2005 I joined various art groups to be with like-minded people, and to develop and promote my art through local exhibitions. I have received various art awards, and was accepted into The Watercolour Society of WA approximately 10 years ago. I have been to as many top artists workshops as possible, including a 5-day stay in Tasmania with watercolour Artist Tony Smibert.
I have sold works to local, national, and international buyers. I teach workshops at Trycan in Yanchep, and will do demonstrations on request.
I am lucky enough to have a small studio at home, surrounded by art books and painting equipment, my inspirational haven, with a wonderful view over my garden.
My dream project would be a large colourful sea scape.
I have received so many good pieces of advice: you paint your best when you are relaxed; paint what you love; and practice, practice, practice. To overcome creative blocks, I go back to basics, just use three colours, and I always have a project on the go, one thing usually leads to another. Peers are very motivating, that's why I belong to art groups. Also, entering exhibitions, selling a piece of work motivates me to keep painting.
I always paint on a Wednesday, and try to paint a bit each day ... life sometimes gets in the
way... but I get painting withdrawal symptoms and soon get back into it ... its my passion
and always will be!
Connect with June:
Instagram: @junesullivan_artist
Facebook: June Sullivan - Artist
Rosalie Tolchard
Images: watercolour paintings by Rosalie Tolchard (supplied)
After retiring from the workforce, I am free to test my artistic talents. I started with lessons at the local community centre, then joined several art societies. I watched how others painted, and then developed my own style. My work aims to say "how did you do that?"
My studio is small, light, and bright with ceiling skylights and plenty of storage space. I paint for an hour at least everyday.
The best piece of advice I've received is "it's just a piece of paper!" and being a water-colourist you can always start again. I take lots of photos so there's always something to paint.
I leave the weekends for family.
Exhibition poster:
