The Artworks

'Night Nurse'

Masako Miyao

by Hazel Mary Cope

Oils on canvas

NFS

Artist Statement

Often undervalued and underpaid the professional nurse

is rarely portrayed in the arena of visual arts.

Masako Miyao did her Bachelor of Nursing Science

degree at the University of Southern Queensland

and now works at Hopewell Hospice,

Arundel on the Gold Coast.

 Her progression into working

as a palliative care nurse

has been a natural one.

As a teenager,

Masako was greatly moved

while watching a documentary of

Mother Teresa caring for the dying

on the streets of Calcutta.

However during her postgraduate year

she was disturbed and saddened

by the highly technical interventions performed

to keep people alive at all costs.

'Dying is a natural process', she says.

Masako has a special gentleness and grace

and being of a highly sensitive nature

has a natural ability

to perceive patients' needs

 when they are at their most vulnerable.

This makes her a valuable member

of the nursing team at Hopewell Hospice and

a living angel to those patients in her care.

- Hazel Mary Cope 2011

'Making Waves'

Artist Statement

I painted my daughter Jackie Brown in this setting

as the situation is representativve of a childhood of surfing, and

the fluidity and freedom felt in a sometimes difficult environment.

As a young Queer disabled woman Jacki is constantly

 struggling against the ignorance and stereotypical views

imposed upon her from a broader society.

 Her intelligent articulation of the complex issues

surrounding her life and the life of others

  struggling outside the 'norm',

 is of an incredible value to myself,

her friends and the community.

This painting, in a physical and a metaphorical way,

captures her breaking through with the exhilaration

that comes by pushing the boundaries

of both the liquid and social mediums,

which at times can be unpredictable and unforgiving,

yet also uplifting and supportive.

- Sue Brown 2011

'Making Waves'

Jackie Brown

by Sue Brown

Acrylics

NFS

'Blackbird Singing'

by Ally Mead

Acrylic on canvas

NFS

Artist Statement

I saw a photo of Christine Strelen taken when

she was at our party. It was a frozen moment

which made me muse how quietly powerful she can be.

 There are no false moves with her, only truth.

Sometimes that can be confronting.

I have used cool, light, sometimes reflective colours

that reproduce her presence.

She is a writer, a practitioner of sublime creation.

Her words can move mind, body and soul.

In my painting I have tried to convey this feeling

of strength that underlies beauty and simplicity

There is wisdom and there is mystery.

Writing is something she has always wanted to do

and she has faith in her work.

The name of the painting is very significant for me.

‘Strel’, as her friends like to call her, broke away

from a life where she could not be true to herself.

She healed her broken wings and learnt how to fly

in a different way. A metamorphosis took place.

The full moon gives the painting

a sense of anticipation and the unknown.

What will she be flying with next?

I too am a new settler to the North Coast

and am learning how to fly again.

I can learn a lot from her.

- Ally Mead 2011

'Ray of Light'

by Peter Lehner

Acrylic on Paper

$300

Artist Statement

Happy and high-spirited, facing daily challenges with straightforward smiles, you soon hear his long distinctive laugh. People nearby respond, either an annoyed “Bloody Ray!!” or a smiling “Oh Ray!” 

I’ve never seen Ray’s dark side.

Many who face disabilities, adversities and hard losses

fall into negative mental health and addiction patterns.

Ray shines appreciative love.

I am inspired by his ability to give, and also receive

in equal measure, which is a very rare characteristic. 

He shares his art, music and culture

with a diverse chunk of Lismore community.

 He truly thinks of us all as Family.

Locals have known and supported Ray in varied ways

since his childhood. I believe Ray is a very special

love child of the Lovemore family. 

After attending Northern Rivers Portrait Prize last year,

such a flourishing community-building event,

I immediately wanted to have a go. 

I painted Ray Parry to acknowledge and celebrate his unique

and enchanting contribution, to show his bright energy,

hoping to spotlight his Tao of pooh essence

to those who are unappreciative

and greet him with impatient frustrations.

This is my first attempt at painting.

Carl, my adoptive son, is an amazing teacher!

- Peter Lehner 2011

'The Dog Whisperer'

by Ian Sillar

Artist Statement

Ross Sillar, who keeps a kennel of 70 contented dogs

used for the tick serum production,

has a very special understanding of the canine world.   

A veterinarian who has lived on the Northern Rivers

most of his life, he now resides on Hogarth Range

where he also grows Macadamias.  

The creation of a portrait,

titled 'The Dog Whisperer', which tried to capture

the essence of his dynamic career was compelling.

- Ian Sillar 2011

'Michael'

by Julie Crisp

Oils on Canvas

NFS

Artist Statement

This image is of my partner, Michael Skinner,

a renowned musician and Nimbin identity.

Michael is presently re-igniting Nimbin’s tribal spirit, by reclaiming the main street on Friday evenings

with like-minded souls and

drumming dance rhythms that are drawing

a diverse cross section of folk into town.

No cost, no ego, just a bringing together of

a global tribe of people to celebrate life.

That’s typical of Michael sharing his gifts.

His other talent lies in his humanities;

his ability to connect with people. All people.

From his time as a teacher

to some of the more troubled youth,

 through the diversity of the street scene,

he knows every name,

and the respect he is given matches his humility and empathy, his readiness to share

his wisdom and his generosity of spirit.

He is a trusted and valued member of a complex culture which includes all and judges none.

The eyes are the window to the soul.

I have attempted to convey in this portrait some of

Michael’s compassion and sensitivities,

    along with the anxieties that are also part of his character.

- Julie Crisp 2011

'Not an Invisible Woman'

by Lesley Ryan

Gouache

$1000

Artists Statement

My portrait is of well known, Lismore-born artist

Margaret Olley and it is titled 'Not an Invisible Woman'.

 I met Ms Olley when Lismore Regional Gallery held a retrospective of her work. I was always a fan, and

I trailed her round the exhibition talking to her when I could and taking photographs (with her permission.)

 I was fascinated as she made comments about her paintings, “too much umber” she said of one. “I always wondered where that went” she said of another.

Meanwhile she was tromping around

in her walker and puffing on cigarettes,

oblivious to the attention she was receiving.

I wonder how I would feel about looking at paintings

I had painted 30 years or more ago

 and I felt it would be very confronting.

Now in her eighties, she continues to

raise the profile of women artists in Australia.

I painted her portrait using a combination of the photographs I took on the night, I wanted to

represent her in a modern and  contemporary style,

so I chose to use a cut-out almost stencilled

approach to the painting and used the

bright colours you find in gouache.

- Lesley Ryan

Artist Statement

I wouldn't be an artist if it wasn't for Darcy Goodwin.

Well, perhaps that is too strong an accusation,

but Darcy was certainly an invaluable

source of encouragement, food, furniture

and glowing goodness throughout

my 2 and a half years of study

at Southern Cross University in the late 1990's.

I am deeply indebted to Darcy

for his support, and  he is

a well known living angel in the Northern Rivers area.

He works tirelessly for the underpriviledged

with unflagging endurance, warmth and spirit.

I will always remember his fondness

for late night hot chocolates in our kitchen

and winter peasoup in the park.

I hope I have captured some of the more pensive

and quieter sides of this incredibly generous

and inspiring man.

- Seabastion Toast 2011

'Darcy Goodwin'

by Seabastion Toast

Mixed Media

NFS

'A Good Prescription'

Eve

by Scott Bewley

Acrylic on canvas

NFS

Artist Statement

Eve, 26, was born and raised in the Northern Rivers.

After finishing High School she had to relocate

to pursue a University education in pharmacy.

 After graduating from Charles Stuart University,

Eve returned to the Northern Rivers area and is currently a Pharmacist working at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Lismore.

At a time when a lot of young people

permanently leave Northern NSW

for the opportunities and excitement offered by larger cities,

Eve has bucked this trend and returned to her local,

regional community highly skilled

and ready to make an important contribution.

Such qualified, capable and dedicated members of Generation Y are extremely important to the future of the Northern Rivers.

This portrait depicts Eve at work, in her uniform, at the dispensary counter ready and eager to provide information, advice and medication to the hospital’s patients

and members of the local community.

- Scott Bewley 2011

'Quinn-tessence'

(Portrait of Francis Quinn)

by Dana Hoffmann

Acrylic on Canvas

NFS

Artist Statement

Drawing and painting was one of my favourite things to do

when I was a child. Later in my teenage years I started to take

art classes with local artists in my hometown.

As spare time allowed beside my studies and then work life

I continued seeing several artists for their teachings

in life drawing and painting.

Not too often is it now when I sit down with charcoal or painting media to be creative. Though I enjoy wandering art galleries.

So it happened that I came across the flyer for this

portrait prize in Ballina’s art gallery in the council chambers.

I felt invited and also wanted to take on the challenge.

Reading that this year’s artworks of the Portrait Prize have to depict a person from the region of value for the community promptly Francis Quinn my swimming instructor came to my mind. And I believe he is of value to the community

as he is good value in my life.

It is fun, inspiring and motivating to be part in his swim squad trainings. Beside his good training instruction his cheerful character is attracting crowds. Some swim buddies travel quite

a distance to attend his classes. He is a person who brings people together and spreads the spirit to fully enjoying life.

I thought of his characteristic facial expressions and

his bright eyes to be perfect to be captured in a painting.

So I went to ask him to be my sitter for this portrait.

-  Dana Hoffmann 2011