Helen Mortimer
helenmortimerart.com
Diploma of Art, Newcastle College of Advanced Education, BA Visual Arts University of Newcastle
How long have you been a practising artist?
I went straight to Art School after I gained my Higher School Certificate. I have been a practicing artist ever since, however with family and work commitments there were times where I was struggling to find time to paint. It has really been the last 5 years that I have had the time to commit to my Art.
Do you have any formal training?
I attended Newcastle College of Advanced Education and gained a Diploma of Art in 1980. This course was later replaced with the Bachelor of Art Visual Arts. I returned to Newcastle University and received my Bachelor of Arts Visual Arts in 1996 with the aim of then completing a Diploma of Education but I did not get time to do that course due to family commitments.
Do you belong to any other artist groups? galleries?
Apart from Art Studios Cooperative I am an exhibiting member of Art in Sync. We are a group of Newcastle and Central Coast Artists that exhibit together in Galleries in Newcastle and the Central Coast. We work on themed exhibitions. I also exhibit my paintings at The Design Gallery Terrigal in group shows.
Have / do you exhibit elsewhere? Online promotion?
I am always seeking opportunities to exhibit elsewhere and that has resulted in participating in community events and group shows. 2018 I exhibited along side photographer Lorraine Maclarty at Gosford Regional Gallery displaying portraits of local identities. I have an artist page on Facebook and also an Instagram account. I have some paintings on The Colour in Your Life Website and Saatchi Art website .
Have you received any awards, been a finalist in any art awards / art prizes?
Artist Bio
I have been a finalist in The Gosford Art Prize numerous times as well as Hunters Hill Art Prize.
When and why did you join Art Studios Co-operative?
I have been a member of Art Studios Cooperative from its inception. Originally I joined because I needed to have a permanent studio where I could come and go as I needed. I also joined so I could interact with like minded people. Working with other artists is invaluable as it boosts your enthusiasm and creativity. Now the journey is continuing with the have opening of the Bay Gallery at Ettalong Beach. This marks a new chapter in the evolution of the Cooperative and its artists.
For you, what are the benefits of membership with this Co-op?
The main benefit of being part of the Cooperative is working with other artists on creative ventures. The opportunity to be a part of the artist run gallery at Ettalong. Also exhibiting my art along side the other cooperative artists. I being part of a creative environment stimulates my creativity and enthusiasm. Often opportunities to exhibit or to be part of events are offered to members. The Australian Spirit project is a great example of artists working with the community to benefit a great cause and bring fascinating stories to the attention of the public.
Have you gained any new skills in your time at the Co-op?
I have learnt how to hang an exhibition and how to coordinate my own exhibition. I have gained knowledge about online marketing. How to coordinate people from different disciplines to come together and work on a common goal, as we did for the Australian Spirit project, poets artists photographers and veterans.
I went straight to Art School after I gained my Higher School Certificate. I have been a practicing artist ever since, however with family and work commitments there were times where I was struggling to find time to paint. It has really been the last 5 years that I have had the time to commit to my Art.
Do you have any formal training?
I attended Newcastle College of Advanced Education and gained a Diploma of Art in 1980. This course was later replaced with the Bachelor of Art Visual Arts. I returned to Newcastle University and received my Bachelor of Arts Visual Arts in 1996 with the aim of then completing a Diploma of Education but I did not get time to do that course due to family commitments.
Do you belong to any other artist groups? galleries?
Apart from Art Studios Cooperative I am an exhibiting member of Art in Sync. We are a group of Newcastle and Central Coast Artists that exhibit together in Galleries in Newcastle and the Central Coast. We work on themed exhibitions. I also exhibit my paintings at The Design Gallery Terrigal in group shows.
Have / do you exhibit elsewhere? Online promotion?
I am always seeking opportunities to exhibit elsewhere and that has resulted in participating in community events and group shows. 2018 I exhibited along side photographer Lorraine Maclarty at Gosford Regional Gallery displaying portraits of local identities. I have an artist page on Facebook and also an Instagram account. I have some paintings on The Colour in Your Life Website and Saatchi Art website .
Have you received any awards, been a finalist in any art awards / art prizes?
Artist Bio
I have been a finalist in The Gosford Art Prize numerous times as well as Hunters Hill Art Prize.
When and why did you join Art Studios Co-operative?
I have been a member of Art Studios Cooperative from its inception. Originally I joined because I needed to have a permanent studio where I could come and go as I needed. I also joined so I could interact with like minded people. Working with other artists is invaluable as it boosts your enthusiasm and creativity. Now the journey is continuing with the have opening of the Bay Gallery at Ettalong Beach. This marks a new chapter in the evolution of the Cooperative and its artists.
For you, what are the benefits of membership with this Co-op?
The main benefit of being part of the Cooperative is working with other artists on creative ventures. The opportunity to be a part of the artist run gallery at Ettalong. Also exhibiting my art along side the other cooperative artists. I being part of a creative environment stimulates my creativity and enthusiasm. Often opportunities to exhibit or to be part of events are offered to members. The Australian Spirit project is a great example of artists working with the community to benefit a great cause and bring fascinating stories to the attention of the public.
Have you gained any new skills in your time at the Co-op?
I have learnt how to hang an exhibition and how to coordinate my own exhibition. I have gained knowledge about online marketing. How to coordinate people from different disciplines to come together and work on a common goal, as we did for the Australian Spirit project, poets artists photographers and veterans.