FEBRUARY 2017: Featured Artist |
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Australian Award-Winning Painter:
Sally West
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Sally West is an award-winning painter from Australia. She was born in Central NSW, Australia. In 1995, she received a Bachelor of Visual Communications from KVB College of Visual Communications in North Sydney. Sally draws her inspiration from the seascapes of Sydney and Bluey’s Beach where she is based.
Unique style: Sally's thick impasto oils create a pronounced textural surface. She is well-known for her palette knife work. Her playful themes and bold application of paint gives her a highly individual style. Many of Sally's paintings are created “plein air” (or in the open air) which gives them a vibrant and immediate energy. Sally sold her first painting in 1993. Since then, Sally has had group exhibitions throughout Australia, France, London, Hong Kong and Germany as well as several solo exhibitions in Manhattan, Sydney and Melbourne. She has sold her paintings to private collectors around the globe. Sally is a frequent guest speaker at several galleries in Sydney. |
She has been the winner of numerous awards and is a regular finalist in many prestigious competitions, including the Portia Geach Art Prize, New South Wales Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize, Paddington Art Prize, Wales Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize, EMSLA, Salon Des Refuses (Wynne) Prize, Charlatan Ink Art Prize (Manhattan NYC), Pacific Palms Art Prize, Gosford Art Prize, Mosman Art Prize, Hornsby Art Prize and many more. Most recently, she was selected as a finalist in the North Sydney Art Prize (2017). Her work will be displayed at the iconic Coal Loader Centre for Sustainability in Waverton, Australia.
Myrna Haskell, managing editor, asked Sally about how she developed her unique style and if she has a favorite place to paint.
I have been painting for over 25 years, so my style has been a slow development. I started using a palette knife about 15 years ago when I lived in a remote area and couldn’t access new brushes. I got used to it, and now I can’t imagine ever working with brushes again. But it changed my style a little - I use more paint.
I love working in the outdoors. It has taught me to work quickly and loosely. But the conditions aren’t always right for this. So, on those days, I end up at the studio working on still life and the occasional portrait. I never really stop painting. It’s my favorite thing to do - my work as well as my downtime.
Myrna Haskell, managing editor, asked Sally about how she developed her unique style and if she has a favorite place to paint.
I have been painting for over 25 years, so my style has been a slow development. I started using a palette knife about 15 years ago when I lived in a remote area and couldn’t access new brushes. I got used to it, and now I can’t imagine ever working with brushes again. But it changed my style a little - I use more paint.
I love working in the outdoors. It has taught me to work quickly and loosely. But the conditions aren’t always right for this. So, on those days, I end up at the studio working on still life and the occasional portrait. I never really stop painting. It’s my favorite thing to do - my work as well as my downtime.
Thursday After Greenwich
Oil on Canvas © Sally West |
Beach Study 2 - Plein Air
Oil on Canvas © Sally West |
The Pink Truck
Oil on Canvas © Sally West |
Natives After the Farm
Oil on Canvas © Sally West |
Beach - Plein Air
Oil on Canvas © Sally West |
The Yellow Van
Oil on Canvas © Sally West |
