The Hunter Artisan Gallery & Cafe

My fascination is with the human form… with people and their stories. 

My work takes form utilising different mediums, particularly charcoal/pastels, inks, ceramic and acrylics, combined with the techniques of painting, drawing, ceramic-work, sculpture and print-making. I use whatever medium is appropriate to transform my ideas into reality, with a preference to using multi-medium, often with the combination of natural and man-made materials.

I am fascinated by the process of how we transform throughout life, the journey more so than the destination and how the stories of others can change us, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

My personal life journey has given me much insight. It has taken me from the depths of despair to the heights of happiness and peace and it is these constantly changing transitions between emotions that direct and inspire my work.

I love the beauty of the broken, the lost, the damaged, the forgotten, the sad, the disenfranchised, the imperfect… the perfection of imperfection.

My work is inspired by photographer Diane Arbus and painter Alice Neel, both of whom also embodied this narrative. Diane Arbus once said ‘The subject is more important than the picture’...a statement that I fully endorse.

Marea’s art career has spanned over 40 years. In that time she has won many awards for her art. She has taught students in major Regional Art Galleries, schools and Art Societies. Marea has also been invited to judge many art exhibitions, including the Taree, Dobell and Port Stephens Art Shows. 

She has exhibited widely, including the Barry Stern Gallery in Paddington, Maitland Regional Art Gallery, Anne Von Bertouch Galleries and in Japan, just to name a few.

Marea has been awarded art prizes by judges including Joseph Eisenberg, Nick Mitzevich , Bruce Rowland, Trevor Weeks, Andrew Sayers, Margaret Sivyer, John Bradley and many others.

Her works have been featured in many publications including Australian Artists, Artists Palette Artists and Galleries of Australia. Her work is in many private and public collections both in Australia and overseas. 

Marea’s greatest love is teaching and trying to inspire others, as well as her deep connection to her own work and creating.
 

  Artistic inspiration comes from a myriad of sources. Some of my inspiration came while reading my grandmother’s collection of old English lady’s magazines. Now I am lucky to live surrounded by lush cottage gardens which creates the perfect peaceful creative ambience.

As a child, I was always drawing and I spent a great deal of time staying with my grandparents who encouraged my creativity. During these visits, I would love working with pen and would spend hours copying and sketching from the fashion pages depicted in my grandmother’s English Women’s Own magazines.

The legendary artist Margaret Olley once told me “be true to yourself and paint what you like: be challenged and use your imagination.” This philosophy has always reflected in my style.

How many people are aware that there is an award winning sculptor in Maitland whose works have always created great interest and acclaim?

Local artist Barry Brown grew up in the far west of NSW, which instilled in him a love of the outback.  This love has never diminished and can be evidenced in his many artworks.

Although Barry has experimented with pottery and painting, sculpture was always his favourite medium. Collecting old farm implements, old tools and car parts, he then fashions them into award winning sculptures. 

Life sized emus, sculpted from flat car springs decorate gardens from Sydney to Cairns His “Spring-Heeler” dog, created from flat leafed and coil car springs has always been a crowd pleaser and children love it.