Expressible artwork on show

One of the works on show - Artic Dreaming Series No. 3 by Karen Macdonald

A new exhibition highlighting the work of six emerging artists will be on show at The Erina Centre Gallery in the foyer of Erina Library until March 11.

Inspired by Gosford Regional Gallery’s Developing Expression studio group 2022, under the mentorship of Gosford Art Prize finalist Jon Ellis, Expressible brings the artists together to express their stories and experiences within their own styles and media choices.

The featured artists are Carol Porter, JJ Arnold, Carolyn Purtle, Karen Macdonald, Jo Stanes and Tracey L Baglin.

Carolyn Purtle she loves nature and bush-walking, which go “hand in hand”.

Brisbane Waters National Park – the hidden lookout by Carolyn Purtle

“Painting allows me to bring some of that wonder and beauty back in my living room,” she said.

“This is an expression of me; the ability to express myself and be inspired by the beauty of nature.

“Jon has guided and somewhat pushed me to became more loose and to feel the subject.”

Amongst the Mangroves by Carol Porter

Carol Porter said her work was a “journey through space and time; the exploration of colours, shapes and forms”.

“(It is) the abstraction of ideas, concepts and places, where I draw upon familiar spaces around me,” she said.

She said she had pursued different methods in abstract painting under Ellis’s direction.

Karen Macdonald said her series of painting was inspired while cruising the Arctic Circle, observing glaciers, icebergs, polar bears and other wildlife.

“(It was) such an extraordinary experience that I wanted to preserve the feeling forever on canvas,” she said.

Tracey L. Baglin said her work was “an examination of the mangroves behind Gosford Gallery (capturing) jewel-like reflections and unexpected colours in the rich shimmering mudpools after weeks of rain”.

The Erina Centre Gallery is open from 9am-5pm Monday-Friday and from 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

Terry Collins