Artist statements 2024

Brian Miller I’ve been painting for over 25 years. I am qualified with a Fine Arts degree at SA School of Art. My current work is the result of what I learnt at art school. I still get joy out of art and I like to sell my work. I have quite a large body of work at home. 

Harmony Manners I have had an interest in art for therapy and healing through a long period of mental illness

Jenny Smet I have been painting for a number of years. I use acrylics mainly and sometimes i draw as well. I like to draw and paint with others in a group. I’m in an art group at Skylight. I like to sometimes paint in an abstract way and at other times I copy a photo or an artist’s picture.

Jenny Zitzke I went to the western community health centre on Woodville road for my mental health. I saw a sign on the board western psychosocial rehabilitation in Woodville and grange road. It was the best decision I made to join the group as I was taught life skills. I went to the Findon Community craft group with this group and picked up a book of animals to draw! I started to copy the pictures onto paper with my eye and the support worker said that they were an excellent representation and that they had preferred them to the original copy. Skylight Mental Health was good in coming to my home on a one to one home visit regularly when I was isolated at home. Later I went to NEAMI mental health art for 3 1/2 years now and in the beginning I had trouble picking up the pencil but now I can produce work. Skylight Art have been very encouraging support workers to continue with my artwork on a one to one basis! I like realistic and abstract art and love nature, animals, plants, people, drawing portraits and Saints.

Jeremy McGrath I am an artist that works mainly in acrylic paint on watercolour paper or canvas. I have also experimented with watercolour and briefly oils. Subjects that I paint are seascapes, landscapes, and still-life fruit and flowers. I started out as a youngster drawing from tracings of car and animal pictures. My goal is to get the hang of charcoal, pastels and oil paints.

Nairi I have always felt freer in nature than in the human presence. I want to make plants and animals manifest in my art. Emphasizing even more that they are an integral part of myself.

Nicol Smith I enjoy creating art, mostly acrylic on canvas. I find it therapeutic but also hope, in a lot of my artworks, to get across messages about political and social issues affecting myself and/or others in society.

Radi Van’t Hof  Hello, my name is Radi Van’t Hof. And I’m a disabled artist , that will be part of mindshare 2024. Let’s start off with what I have , and what makes me ‘disabled’. I am autistic with a long mental health diagnosis line…such as borderline personality disorder, OCD and complex PTSD. Not only that, I also have chronic pain and fatigue and trying I’m to get diagnosed with fibromyalgia. My chronic pain leaves me on a cane majority of my outdoor times. I may be disabled, but I’m still able to create what I love, which is art.  I’ve been doing art since 2013 and I continue to do so now. I have gone through a long journey with my art but also with my mental health. Two very different paths but now they’re merging into something … beautiful? I want to show the world if you give me a chance, I can do something good, create something good despite my labels! I wish to create a safe place with my art, that even though you have mental health, disabilities or are neurodiverse … you can do this. 

I’m also on online! I just had a rebrand and I officially go by ‘_SaturnWings_’ and online I go by mothi! 

Andrew Saj quotes, “I have been painting since 2007 when I was diagnosed with depression. I was hospitalised and started painting in the art room and I am mainly self-taught. I have exhibited my artwork in various exhibition and locations. I’ve been attending the art group in Salisbury for over 8 years, I enjoy attending at it’s a creative space to paint, connect with other artists. I work in watercolour, my favourite paintings are of old buildings around Adelaide, I hope you like them.”

Audrey Vanden Heuvel attends the Drawn Together Art group in Murray Bridge and quotes, “Expressing my feelings through art has always been important, probably my first love.  I have studied at the SA School of Arts and for an Associate Diploma in Crafts and Interior Design.  The group had given me friendships, support and encouragement to experiment with various art forms.”

Amanda Butterfield enjoys using different mediums, especially watercolour pencils.  Amanda has been attending the Neami Comet art group in Port Adelaide for over 3 years. She also enjoys the sharing with other artists and exhibiting her artwork.

Angela Warnett Recently joined the visual art group in Murray Bridge and loves to create artworks using a variety of colour and mediums. This is Angela’s first Mindshare exhibition and is looking forward to showcasing more of her work in the future.

Betty Artis started drawing and painting years ago. She enjoyed it but her body started to complain about getting and down, washing brushes, standing at the easel at times.  Betty initially scolded her body and told it to shape up or ship out. A Dilemma.  The answer – Coloured pencils.  Less movement on arthritic joints, less mess, more enjoyment.  Her hands still cramp but that would have been the case anyway. The results – Endlessly interesting.  Some pencils go on like paint. Solved.

Cassandra “I reconnected with art when I began experimenting with collaging at the art group in Port Adelaide. I use paper and/or card as my medium, and my main influences include mythology, fantasy, blank colouring pages, nature, and my dog. My art process feels like assembling a puzzle, and I think that is partly the reason why I find art engaging. I would like my art to reflect my philosophy, that an artwork is able to have more than one meaning. I believe that I have reflected this in the title of my piece, and I would describe my work as both a literal and figurative representation of growth. “

Catherine Pallin “I have always had an art practice, but recently it has flowered. I have been a member of the Neami Murray Bridge art group for 6 years now. The companionship, laughter and creative support of the group, I love and encourages me in my creativity. I hope you enjoy our work.”

Cecelia Kluge “Art gives an opportunity for me to express my feelings. Being able to exhibit gives a sense of achievement and excitement that I can show others my artwork.  I began art the first year Neami Drawing Together Art Group started in Murray Bridge. This group is very friendly and caring as well as being a safe place to be. We are respectful to each other, but I mostly like the fact that we all give each other a hand. Art has got me through some very tough times! By focusing on my art, I can cope better with ‘life’.”

Emma Jane Hutchings graduated with a Diploma of Fine Art from the National Art School, Sydney. Her passion is painting abstracts, still lifes, sculptures in hebal and limestone. Loving bright colours, experimenting with different shapes, acrylics, inks, and watercolours and having an environmental message to her work.  Emma Jane has exhibited in several Neami exhibitions and is planning on having a solo exhibition in the future.

Edwina Klaucke  “I’m always influenced about art and different approaches on what I draw and try to paint.  I enjoy attending the groups run through the JUMP Arts program in Port Adelaide, they’re very useful in opening the flow of being creative. It relieves tiresome boredom or other aspects of being someone like me who is experiencing mental health issues.  The subjects I like to paint are birds, ocean life, flowers, even some designs with some colour or patterns. Overall, I’ve found more to achieve in art.”

Joe Amuso always loved art, especially abstract works but never put paint to canvas until later in life.  Joe’s work is inspired by pop art, colourists and naïve painters. To this artist, painting should be relaxing, fun and spontaneous.  Joe has been attending the various Neami art programs in Port Adelaide for over twelve years.  Joe quotes, “I really like seeing new artists at the groups grow and enjoy themselves making art.  The groups are not just about art, it’s about socialising too.”

Jan Thomas’s art has ranged from China painting, ceramics, folk art, doll painting and for the last ten years fine art, “I mostly paint in acrylics and pastels, and have a particular passion for painting animals in pastels.” Her love of animals and concern for conservation and the environment has guided her in her paintings.

Jenny Zitzke has been attending the Neami Visual art programs for well over four years. “In the beginning, I had trouble picking up the pencil but now I can produce work. I like realistic and abstract art and love nature, animals, plants, people, drawing portraits and Saints.”

Joanne Losovski enjoys painting, stating that, ‘being totally immersed in my art is so enjoyable. It also gives me a sense of achievement.’  Joanne is drawn to a range of mediums and the past year has focused on botanical water colour painting, mainly flowers in vivid colours. This is Joanne’s fifth year of attending the Neami arts program and regularly exhibits her work.  She is inspired by the great impressionist artists and is drawn to the use of colour and composition.Kym Hendy “I am 51 years old and was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder over 20 years ago, when I was in my late twenties. I have been drawing and painting as a hobby my entire life. My artworks express my creative soul and my deep love of Mother Nature. In the future I seek to continue working on my series of native Australian plants and animals and also to further depict my interest in symbolism and mythology as an aid to my ongoing therapy.”

Kate Durham I am influenced by Picasso in drawing, and sculpture and this landscape is influenced by “The Fauves”, because they used bright summery colours in their work. David Hockney i absolutely love his work and this picture holds some influence from his swimming pools series; for the sky in this piece i tried to embrace similar technique’s to a patterned surface to portray the depth and texture of the sky; while Hockney expresses a patterned Surface in swimming pools to give the effect of deep water,  I am referring to the sky painted in watercolour in the picture “paradise of Port Noarlunga” in this exhibition.

Karen M Wightman ”My Mum was an artist, so I began drawing from the age of 6 years old and found I could draw portraits from movie stars to different people. I didn’t draw for many years due to illness but now I am back and doing it again.  Creating art helps me deal with stress better, I love it.  I am so glad I am able to come to the art groups as I really enjoy it.“

Krysia first became interest in art through her family, particularly her aunty.  Connects with her Polish and German heritage through her art which inspires her.  Krysia finds art relaxing, mindful, positive, creative and real. Krysia has practiced a wide range of art forms from making jewellery using clay to Australian outback landscapes.

Kylie Douglas is drawn to painting a range of subjects always with a strong focus on bright and bold colours.  She enjoys challenging the viewer by creating images that are different to how we thought they might look, by pushing the norms of colour.  Kylie says that her initial inspiration for returning to art was for relaxation and that it is one of the best things that she can do for her mental health.

Kylie McGrath is an emerging artist in Adelaide. Her mediums are varied including painting Primarily water colour, acrylic, charcoal and clay. The themes she primarily explores are the beauty of nature. She says, “Nothing in nature is perfectly straight yet perfect in its own right I enjoy painting nature scenes as it reminds me that beauty is everywhere in this busy world, if we choose to notice it, beauty is perfect in its imperfections. Kylies’ philosophy is life is so fast paced now days, slow down and appreciate the small things.

Lindy Thai has been developing her art style from a young age. She enjoys experimenting with different mediums and drawing inspiration from unexpected sources for visual storytelling. Her artwork can be found on Instagram @sanilyst.art

Lydia Craig has been an artist for over 8 years. ‘I enjoy painting, meeting with other artists and the relaxing emotions it brings to my life’. Lydia hopes to create more art to exhibit in future exhibitions.

Martin “Martymartz” Geoghegan began painting in high school then focussed on developing his love of music.  Martin recently returned to making visual art and has been exploring a range of mediums including pastels.  Martin wants to continue to give himself permission to explore different styles of art and mediums without boundaries and concern for status quo.        Michelle Lockie attends the art group in Salisbury and is enjoying learning new art skills. Michelle finds that she’s able to relax when she creates art. This is Michelle’s first time exhibiting at the Hawke Centres Kerry Packer Civic Gallery.

Mel Cordell is a mixed media artist. She is passionate about the environment, with a background in conservation, photography and digital media. Mel enjoys sketching birds, flora and fauna, and has recently started using watercolours in her work.

Michelle Lockie attends the art group in Salisbury and is enjoying learning new art skills. Michelle finds that she’s able to relax when she creates art. This is Michelle’s first time exhibiting at the Hawke Centres Kerry Packer Civic Gallery.

Monty “I’m 52 years old now and remember how much I loved to draw and make art when I was six years old.  My practice involves sketching using graphite and ink, painting abstract acrylic sculptures. I love capturing real life and I’m proud of my work in this year’s exhibition.  It took me some time to choose which pieces to enter and I finally chose two based on the positive feedback from my family who are very supportive of my arts practice.“

Phillip Miller has a passion for photography and a very keen eye for detail.  He manipulates his images on Photoshop and loves to recreate landscapes, both natural and urban, with layers of colour.

Ryan Torre “I continue to enjoy taking photo’s but this has been harder to pursue, I’m grateful though, as I have found a new passion for sketching and painting’.  My work continues to become more detailed, and I find I am taking on more challenges.  My goal is to become a multimedia artist.“

Sarah Donnell Much of Sarah’s work revolves around themes of nature and the desire to protect the Earth. Sarah creates visions of ideal or fantastical worlds, in the hopes that her work will reflect a message for the coming decade to preserve the Earth and all its beauty and wonder. She hopes humanity will make wise choices in the face of Climate Emergency and will preserve the environment for future generations. @sarahdonnellart

Wolfie My “philosophy” is as plain as can be, Art is Art. end of, anything and everything is art and artistic, I’ve always written poetry for as long as I can remember and love incorporating that into artworks I create. I like thinking about art about painting being covered in colours as I disappear, art is beautiful and i love how beautiful it makes ugly and how hideous it is to others who cannot comprehend the prettiness of it all, for to exist is art and to die is art, I love being able to experience it.