Sharing their love of landscapes, Dr Barbara Cheshire and Deb Cavanagh recently wowed crowds with their Strata: Faraway Nearby art exhibition at the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery.
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Many Townsville artists have studied under, or produced art projects with, Dr Barbara Cheshire — an active member of the city’s art council. Having attended Barb’s art classes at TAFE, and now having collaborated on Strata: Faraway Nearby, Deb Cavanagh ticks both boxes. Just back from a trip to Lord Howe island, where she’d painted a number of watercolours, Deb was keen to join forces with her mentor and friend to produce the exhibition (on show 2 June to 9 July).
“I was also preparing to set out on a gypsy life and wanted to celebrate my 30 years in Townsville,” says Deb, who is now freewheeling in her ute, staying with friends and camping in beautiful places for weeks or months at a time.
“I worked in environmental education, which is why the environment plays such a strong part in my paintings. Once my daughters left home to study (one acting and the other screen writing), I bought my BT50 ute and hit the road.”
Australia is full of beautiful spots — my challenge is to stop and really enjoy the landscape. – Deb Cavanagh
Also a free spirit, Barb likes to experiment with using different materials. For Strata: Faraway Nearby, she used Artisan oil for the first time.
“I researched many forms of application until I found one that matched my perception,” Barb says. “Having the drawing and design layer correct tonally is important for me. The following layers are meditative, soul-enriching and challenging as you try to pin down how you think the painting should be at its conclusion.”
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Optas siniet dolupta temodi dolupta epernam rescium ipsant. Alit am, con est
Also a free spirit, Barb likes to experiment with using different materials. For Strata: Faraway Nearby, she used Artisan oil for the first time.
“I researched many forms of application until I found one that matched my perception,” Barb says. “Having the drawing and design layer correct tonally is important for me. The following layers are meditative, soul-enriching and challenging as you try to pin down how you think the painting should be at its conclusion.”
Barb says exhibition-goers remarked on feeling a sereneness of place as they viewed Strata: Faraway Nearby, which was rewarding for the artists. She’s currently teaching private art classes at St Peter’s Hall in West End, while Deb has been travelling around the Atherton tablelands, the south coast of New South Wales and the southern alps.
“Australia is full of beautiful spots — my challenge is to stop and really enjoy the landscape,” Deb says. “Because I’m working out of my ute, I use acrylics and acrylic mediums as they dry quickly. I also carry a big easel my mother gave me for my 50th birthday.
“I love thinking of her as I paint the Australian landscapes that were also very dear to her.”
With no plans to settle soon, Deb says that if she gets a hankering to paint big acrylic canvases she’ll just rent a studio space somewhere for a couple of months.t to take part in next year’s event.”
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