Local Artist and have had some of my pieces shown during local exhibitions. You can check out my website, www.aileenanderson.com.au. Who are your artistic inspirations? Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Arthur Streeton and Grace Cossington Smith. What are you working on at the moment? Some pieces focussing on the crowds of people on the beach, some smaller pieces on board, as well as a larger landscape piece of Coogee. Do you have any exhibitions coming up? The Randwick Art Society exhibition, Visualisation, at Bowen Library, from August 5 to September 25. I’m also excited to be part of the Sydney Made markets on Saturday, July 16, at Sydney Town Hall.
Aileen the creator.
Local Artist... Aileen Anderson from Maroubra Interview James Hutton Photo Aileen Anderson Maroubra’s Aileen Anderson is our local artist this month. Aileen has been a public primary school teacher for over twenty years. She shares her local favourites with The Beast... How long have you lived here? Over twenty years. I was born in the Philippines and moved to Sydney with my family at seven. My husband and I grew up in Campbelltown then moved to Coogee, Randwick, Little Bay and now Maroubra. What's your favourite beach? All of them, for different reasons, but Coogee would have to be closest to my heart. Where do you like to eat and drink? Morning coffee at Morning Glory, Coogee, or The Bay Bakehouse, Maroubra, Brunch at The Pool Cafe, Maroubra, and dinner at Darley Street Bistro, Clovelly. I enjoy a drink at Coogee Surf Club and the Pavilion.
30 The Beast August 2022 Issue 211
Best thing about the Eastern Suburbs? The beautiful coastline, its ocean pools and beaches, the people and sense of community. How would you describe your art? My daughter helped me answer this question; Colourful, joyful and very beachy. My approach to each piece is constantly evolving as I try to capture and explore how I feel about our local beaches, people and memories. Using mainly acrylics, my hope is that each piece can give people a sense of joy, happiness, colour and connection. Where can people see your work? I have been so very lucky to be supported by the most beautiful local homewares store, Humble Beginnings, in Randwick. I have also had the opportunity to have my originals on display at Kim’s Art and Framing Gallery, Matraville. I am a member of Randwick Art Society
When did you discover you had a gift for your craft? I’ve always loved making and creating things since I was a child, and as a teacher I had opportunities to continue to share and explore my creativity. It’s only been the past three years that I have focussed on my painting. What do you do for work? I paint in between running my small business and being a stay at home parent. I have been a public primary school teacher for over twenty years and like many of my colleagues needed to take some time for my family and myself. Did you study art? I studied art through high school and continued to self learn, create and teach art as a school teacher. I’ve done some short local courses, one of which was with the incredible Marie Mansfield (2021 winner of the Portia Geach Memorial Award). Do you have a favourite quote? “The only way to get to where you want to go is to take a step in that direction. And the best way to do that is to begin.” - Kobi Yamada, Trying
