Averill Lawler has been running art workshops for about three years now, and for the first time will be taking them to Bruny Island.
bruny NORTH curator Virginia Dowzer met Averill earlier this year and proposed she run some workshops in and around the coastline of the bruny NORTH art gallery at Dennes Point, North Bruny.
This is very much Averill’s wheelhouse, who claims she “grew up with her head in rockpools.”
“I grew up in Opossum Bay, which is quite a similar landscape to North Bruny,” Averill said.
“The rhythm of the tide is very meditative.
“I think I’ve reconnected with it after having kids.
“It’s a very familiar and natural place for me to be.”
Averill holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Tasmania where she majored in Sculpture, but painting has always been her first love.
Much of Averill’s artistic work is based on and around Tasmania’s coastlines.
“I love mixing colour and the colours of North Bruny are so familiar to me with their beautiful golden rocks and sea greens and blues,” Averill said.
Her first workshop on Saturday, October 18 titled ‘Tidal Treasures & Marine Muses’ focuses on the objects that wash up on shore.
Participants will collect coastal objects such as shells, driftwood and seaweed during a walk along the beach at Dennes Point, and then use these objects to create artwork using ink and gouache.
“This will let us really click into the landscape and have it directly inform our artworks,” Averill said.
The next workshop on Sunday, October 19 is ‘Tide & Texture,’ with participants experimenting with mixed media, texture rubbings and collage to create pieces inspired by the shapes and forms found along the shore.
The two workshops are standalone events, although Averill encourages participants to make a weekend of it.
Averill’s workshops usually host a mix of confident artists and newcomers.
“It’s a good entry point for beginners,” Averill said.
“You don’t need to have much experience.”
For more information on these workshops contact events.brunynorth@gmail.com
