Under the Sea

Giving

Three talented artists explore their different interpretations of life in the ocean.

Opening celebrations 11am, Sunday 2 April
Exhibition dates 2 – 23 April

Rebecca Coulter

Rebecca Coulter’s Paintings, Illustrations and 3D artworks are influenced by her love of the ocean; its creatures and plants as well as its otherworldly nature once you get below the surface.

Beautiful tranquil greens and blues dominate the palette of the larger scale paintings, which start out completely abstract but nearly always resolve as an evocation of an imaginary underwater grotto. The Watercolour artworks take inspiration from the gorgeous traditions of botanical and scientific styles of Illustration, but with more regard for colour and imagination than a fully realistic portrayal of the Marine life depicted. Her mixed media decorative tiles and barnacle clusters are as intriguing to touch as they are to look upon and are all designed and hand formed by Rebecca. They are beautiful objects for small spaces and look fantastic in vignettes.

Rebecca exhibited her work at the Melbourne Decor and Design Show 2015 and was 1 of 17 stands selected from the 200+ exhibitors to be featured on the Trend Tour Walk ran by International Trend Forecasters Scarlet Opus.

A highlight of 2016 saw Rebecca create 24 works for the exclusive use of “The Designer Boys” in their 2017 catalogue. ‘The Designer Boys’ are Australia’s premium wholesaler of unique artworks to interior designers, decorators and speciality retailers.

Rebecca and her family reside not far from the Ocean in the beautiful surrounds of South Gippsland. She works full time from her home studio creating the artworks she showcases through her online Boutique ‘ArtistaStyle’ and at select boutique Art and Design Markets around Melbourne, South Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula.

www.artistastyle.com.au

www.instagram.com/artistastyle

www.facebook.com/ArtistaStyle

Gina Fishman

Gina Fishman was born and grew up in Melbourne Australia. Her career began after completing a Bachelor of Education in Art & Craft with major studies in Textile design & Metal Work. With a strong interest in the fashion industry and a special interest in knitwear, she began working as a design writer for Coats Patons . Soon lured to the fashion world of New York, she relocated to the USA and developed a successful career as a knitwear designer. She lived and worked as a specialist designer in New York for 7 years travelling regularly to the Orient and Europe. Gina worked for a number of companies in the USA including SSG by Catherine lover, Liz Claiborne accessories and later Jennifer Reed, where for many years she had the opportunity to design private label sweaters for many major department stores including Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, & Lord and Taylor.

On her return to Australia she continued to design knitwear for the US market. Gina always had a passion for painting, and eventually worked as a full time painter after her return from the USA. Her art hangs in homes around the globe, but her love for fashion, colour and design inspired her to open her own retail stores/ gallery. She then spent the next 10 years as a Fashion retailer creating Hues Gallery, Melbourne, Australia.

In 2014 after a 10 year hiatus, Gina returned to her first love, painting. With a great eye for style and colour, her current work reflects her past experiences as a fashion retailer, stylist and designer. Contemporary and varied in subject matter, her work celebrates her experiences and observations of everyday life, events and people. Gina has 2 teenage children.

www.ginafishmanart.com

Katie Westle

Artist and designer, Katie Westle born on the Mornington Peninsula in 1993, has a passion for creating whether it be with a pencil in hand a brush or woodworking tool. Katies works on paper reflect her close connection with nature. Katie grew up on a bush property by the beach she has great respect for the environment around her spending much of her days exploring it via bush walking, surfing or snorkelling. Her works reflect the joy, and exploration of these special places in the mediums of pencil, ink and watercolour.

Katie debuted her business Kuku Design in 2013 with the handcrafted ‘Tree Dahlia’ lighting range hand made from sustainable Australian timbers in her studio in Red Hill, Mornington Peninsula. In 2015 Kuku Design was awarded for her Tree Dahlia lighting range with two;

Life In Style Gala award’s ‘Best Handmade Product’ and

‘Best Australian-Made Product’.

Katie has spent her life creating and bought her works on paper into Kuku Design in 2016 successfully coexisting with her lighting pieces.