AOM May: Justine Maddern
Have you visited the gallery to see the work of our artist of the month for May – Justine Maddern? Justine joined the Kilcoy Art Society Inc (KASI) about 2 years ago and is a regular volunteer in the Gallery. Justine grew up in Wamuran, QLD and as a child, lived in the bush where her family farmed a small area growing flowers for local florists. In her spare time, she would explore the bush on the property and the flowers from the garden and farm.
Nature became Justine’s passion and she loved re-creating what she saw in her drawings so art became a natural part of her life from a young age. Through high school and into adulthood, Justine drew in pen and pencil as well as delving into acrylic painting. She explored working with clay, carving timber and creating jewellery whenever she had the chance. Whether working as a teacher or raising her children, Justine was able to continue her passion of art through drawing and creating pieces using various media. She worked with students teaching them drawing and sculpting techniques, inspiring children’s love of art and creativity.
Justine started exploring and working with acrylic paint on canvas about seven years ago. She began creating vibrant paintings on canvas using bright colours, inspired by her childhood memories of the fragrant and cheerful bunches of flowers filled with ruffled petals and robust seedpods that adorned her grandmother’s house in floral displays.
Justine’s current AOM display includes some of her more recent work, exploring monochromatic tones to create dramatic and bold images of her favourite flowers. Be sure to visit the Kilcoy Courthouse Art Gallery during the month of May to view her beautiful display of artwork. The Gallery is open 9am to 1pm, Thursday through to Monday.