CATHERINE GARROD:

ARTIST BIO:

Catherine lives in Smiths Lake on the Mid North Coast, NSW. 

Described as vibrant and compositionally bold, Catherine’s artwork is a testament to her creativity and unique perspective. Through a powerful colour palette, she brings to life natural themes, abstracted in a way that surprises and challenges traditional perceptions. Her art is a celebration of the unexpected, where simplicity meets complexity, and ordinary objects are amplified into extraordinary forms.

Her work is a testament to her exploration of gestural expression, as each brushstroke of colour carries an undeniable energy.  The resulting compositions are both captivating and thought provoking, inviting viewers to delve into a world where imagination knows no bounds.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

’Colourful Language’  is generally used to shock or to astound the listener, or in my case, the viewer, particularly when no other words can be found to articulate how I relate to my world. I find that creating art helps me to express my inner thoughts and feelings and for me it is a thrill to use colour in the most impactful way I can. I hope this shows in the art I create. 

JULIE PLASTO

ARTIST STATEMENT: 

In my work, which is primarily figurative, I am mindful about the strength that colour adds to the power of my paintings.

I like to create mood rather than emotion through my use of colour.

I work with a limited palette, mainly primaries, plus burnt umber.

This creates a harmony as the colours are totally related and create a soothing feel to each canvas.

I use white to add tonal value but never use black.

I follow the Post Impressionists who never used black but created shadows with secondary colours and blue to create shadow and depth in their work.

I use dark and light line to create depth and realism.

My work has a retro feel which is enhanced by my choice of colour.

 

ARTIST BIO:

I went to school in Sydney and then went into art School studying Art at Alexander Mackie College of Advanced Education. I also have a degree in education and

then taught Visual Art until the birth of my first child returning to teach for many years after a break having children.

I have always been creative and have painted all my life and in more recent years I have entered Regional Art competitions and have been awarded several Prizes.

I have a strong involvement in the Pacific Palms Art Community and curate an exhibition space at the Lake View Gallery in Elizabeth Beach exhibiting the work of local artists.  I am also involved in the Annual Pacific Palms Art Festival exhibition.

My art studio is in our home at Blueys Beach and I spend many hours painting a variety of genres.

TRACIE BERTRAM

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Colour is both familiar and mysterious at the same time. It is often the first thing I am drawn to, and it shapes the way I feel about the world. 

Moving through the seasons, each day brings different colours that are present in Nature and the built environment. For me, each day offers new opportunities and choices – what colours to wear, what colours to eat, and most importantly, what colours to work with. Colour is one of life’s truly special gifts.

Working in ceramics gives me endless possibilities to speak with colour. Natural clay bodies, earth pigments, plus a vast range of ceramic glazes provide me with a wide palette to play with.

I enjoy using these colours to build a sense of story or drama into my work.

Colour is a language that speaks eloquence what I cannot say with words.

ARTIST BIO:

Tracie Bertram – born Melbourne, Victoria.

Tracie achieved a BAVA (ceramics major) at the Newcastle College of Advanced Education in 1987 and a Master of Fine Art at University of Newcastle in 2007.

Tracie has been a practicing artist since graduating in 1987, exhibiting regularly in numerous group and solo shows in Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne. Tracie has received grants for public and private art projects, taken on many public and private commissions and has work represented in the Newcastle Region Art Gallery collection. Tracie developed a range of functional slip-cast tableware and bespoke ceramic items under the name of Trick Dog Ceramics between 1990 – 1996. 

For the past 27 years Tracie has been teaching Ceramics and Design at the Newcastle Art School (TAFE) and is currently also teaching Fine Arts at the Great Lakes Campus (TAFE) at Tuncurry NSW.

In 2024 Tracie was Artist in Residence at Pacific Palms Public School, working with years 5 and 6 to complete a ceramic sculpture project. She exhibited her sculptural works at Sculpture at Scratchley in May and Newcastle Art Space in December. January 2025 sees Tracie exhibiting in group shows at Gloucester Gallery and at PACC - Performance Arts Culture Cessnock.

GEOFF BEATTY

ARTIST BIO AND STATEMENT:

After a lengthy and successful career as a professional photographer, Geoff has delved into many creative pursuits including design and visual arts. 

He is a self taught sculptor working across a variety of mediums, predominately brass and steel but also plaster and plywood.

Normally working in brass and steel, these plywood sculptures are a colourful departure from the patinated browns and rusty hues usually associated with his metal pieces. The lighter weight materials reacts playfully to the pastel tones.

The pieces in this collection are all plywood, natural and painted. 

Inspiration has been taken from the forms employed by the late American sculptor, Alexander Calder. 

The pieces are small-scale models that hint at future large scale, commissionable works.