Central Highlands artist profiles

GLENLYON artist Pam Gleeson brings her background discipline as a professional photographer to her creation of imposing landscapes that reflect her deep love of the land and its stories. Pam is no slouch when it comes to observing detail. She’s previously worked as a medical scientist. Here, she chats to The Local journalist Eve Lamb about her art.

Eve: How do you prefer to describe your artistic style?

Pam: I would describe my style as a combination of realism and impressionism, though at this stage I am still in the process of exploring other styles including more stylistic representations of nature and abstraction.

Eve: How did you come to art?

Pam: I have always had an interest in art from a very young age and have pursued some form of artistic expression over the years. I studied art at matriculation level and later completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Tasmania. My focus at that stage was photography which I chose to follow professionally for the next two decades. It is only recently that I have returned to painting as an art form and my practice of photography has informed my painting on many levels, from the importance of light and how it can totally change the mood of a painting, choice of subject matter, colour, composition and perspective.

Eve: Which artists - current or historic - have influenced your own work?

Pam: I have mainly been influenced so far by the works of the Heidelberg School, namely, McCubbin, Roberts and Streeton who all captured the quintessential essence of the Australian bush. I currently use oils and pastels.

Eve: What is/are your subject matter of choice? Why so?

Pam: My subject matter has mainly been landscapes, often including partially derelict sheds and houses and also seascapes. This reflects my love of the Australian landscape which has been informed by travels around Australia and is an extension of my landscape photography. I am keen to explore more stylistic representations of the natural and man-made worlds.

Eve: Do you work in any other area besides your arts practice?

Pam: I spent much of my life working as a medical scientist in the fields of forensic biology, pathology and research, though art was always there for me, albeit often in the background.

with Eve Lamb

Eve: What are you working on at the moment in your current arts practice?

Pam: I am keen to start on several series, whether using oils or pastels. These series will involve exploring a particular element that will dominate the artwork, for example birds in flight or stormy skies. The possibilities are endless.

Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights as an artist?

Pam: Since I have only recently returned to painting, the highlights have been exhibitions as a photographer, the high point being a major fundraising event that I held in Tasmania where auctioned art photography of my own and other photographers’ works raised thousands of dollars for World Vision and Rotary’s fund following the 2004 tsunami in South East Asia.

Eve: Do you have any exhibitions or special arts events coming up?

Pam: Not at present, but I am part of the Daylesford Regional Arts Co-operative and we will be having regular group exhibitions.

Eve: What are the challenges and rewards for artists today?

Pam: The main challenges are finding a suitable place to exhibit works and attracting people who will truly appreciate your work. The main rewards are fulfilling the need to be creative and having others truly see the value in your work.