Dandenong Ranges resident Bev Pergl is the latest local artist to feature at Miloko in Sassafras.
Pergl’s exhibition, titled ‘Flowing with Colour’, is a celebration of soulful painting.
She said most of her professional life had revolved around art.
“I concentrated on printmaking and etching at college, but I went on to work with acrylic paints which is more immediate,” she said.
“Then, when I was an art teacher and painting production sets at school, I realised that really I wanted to be painting for myself.”
Bev said her painting style had evolved over time.
“When I started drawing and painting, I was interpreting still life,” she said.
“My work has now moved to a different phase where I am painting from within. I am not consciously aware of where my painting is going when I start.
“In the past, I used to start with lines and find things in the paintings, but my recent painting has become more abstract.”
Pergl uses meditation, music and chanting through her painting process, which takes her to a place of stillness.
“I usually get a sense of the mood of the painting early on,” she said.
“Every painting has its own soul; it’s own message.
“What I try and do is find the soul for that painting. I tend not to mix colour very much. I prefer to keep it pure and intense; mixing can often result in murky colours. I don’t use black in my paintings, because colour has frequency.”
As a resident of the Dandenong Ranges, Pergl admits her environment also has an affect on her work.
“You would have to say that the natural environment does have some bearing on my work,” she said.
“Many images are inspired by the where I live.”
And what does Bev hope people will take away with them after viewing her work?
“I hope people feel joyful and uplifted by the paintings, with a curiosity about the process,” she said.
“Every painting has a soul or message.
“I would love them to connect with the message of the painting.”
The ‘Flowing with Colour’ exhibition which began on 28 April is open for viewing at Miloko until 6 June.
Miloko is located at 372 Mt Dandenong-Tourist Road, Sassafras on the corner of Woodlands Avenue.
Inquiries to 0428 090 038.
