By Renee Wood
Warburton artist Claire Bremner is opening a new exhibition at the Warburton Arts Centre as YAVA continues its three month collaboration with the venue.
Ms Bremner’s creates colourful displays of natural landscapes and floral arrangements, which are led by what she sees in the local environment.
“As I moved up here into Warburton [in 2013], just being surrounded by the trees, the bush, the river and the nature – it’s hard to not be inspired by that when you’re in that situation where you’re surrounded by it,” Ms Bremner said.
Using acrylic paints as a medium, the artist transforms blank canvas’ through a “loose and expressive” style of painting. The works are heightened by using bold colour combinations in an abstract way.
The international renowned artist will be showcasing her creations which can be viewed in the open exhibit, while education will be a big part of her residency, with several workshops set for the month.
Ms Bremner regularly hosts workshops, teaching how to paint landscape and florals at the Healesville gallery and has been teaching art for six years.
“I actually really enjoy doing the teaching, because it gets me out of my studio, I get to hang around other creative people and I get to pass my skills on because I think that’s really important,” she said.
“I would rather pass on that information and get the next generation of artists and people that want to be creative and want to know how to do that.”
Ms Bremner said experienced, beginners or hobby painters can benefit from the classes, as being creative provides many beneficial therapeutic elements.
“You don’t need to be professional artists to benefit from art, it’s therapeutic and people just enjoy it for the sake of painting and they enjoy it for the process of doing it.
“So I just like the process of sharing that information. It’s one of the ways that many people have found therapy and supported their wellbeing through the pandemic.”
Ms Bremner is very generous in her teachings, sharing techniques of building up layers which can help people express themselves.
“Knowing the steps as to how to get from beginning to end painting, we go through the layer process and building on layers and adding depth and value changes.
“That’s the basic understanding of how the painting is created, I think that then gives them a lot more confidence when they go home.
To open the exhibit on Saturday 4 June, Ms Bremner will be performing a live demonstration at 2pm.
“I didn’t really get a chance to exhibit much in my own town…So it’s a really good opportunity to actually be in the main street and have the locals come in.”
For more information visit https://www.yava.org.au/acw-clairbremner
