Right back to our caveman ancestors who were drawing animals with ochre based paints on the walls of their homes.

Making their mark, telling their stories and brightening up the place with the first idea of home decorating!

From July 1 we have two artists exhibiting at May Raechelle Art Gallery in Millthorpe, both painters whose artworks could certainly brighten up the walls of many a home.

Parkes artist, Kayleen Nicholson is currently combining art with study, using art as a way to relax after a busy day at university.

“I love bright colours and experimenting with themes,” Kayleen said. 

“At the moment it is toys and flowers. I intend to focus on landscapes later this year.”

Kayleen also loves to experience life at its fullest and brings those experiences into her artworks.

“I love to travel the area and take photos with a view to bringing them to life on canvas. I have travelled to Fiji, America and Thailand and revel in new cultures. I find that painting gives me solace and the opportunity to spread my creative wings.”

Maxine Chapman from Blayney is also exhibiting at our gallery.  

Maxine was encouraged to dabble in art by an artist friend in Millthorpe, Tanya Frazier, who helped her experiment with different media before Maxine settled on acrylic paints on canvas.

“I was inspired by the arts of South West America, thus desert scenes and Indians emerged,” Maxine said. 

“I always loved bird paintings, so I painted a magpie and sold it straight away. This lead me to painting birds and then Aussie animals.”

It is easy to see the influences of South America in the colour and style of Maxine’s paintings. Her works have a quirky fun feeling, but can also have their serious side too.

“I sold my very first painting in April 2016. It was a tribute to our Anzacs at Gallipoli that was my attempt at something different. A gun and slouch hat on the beach and red poppies in the corner.”

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Susan's pieces on show in art gallery