Sutherland Shire Art Society - Catherine Southall

Catherine Southall

Biography

Catherine Southall, who was born in England, migrated to Australia with her husband and children in the 1960s. The family settled in the picturesque Sutherland Shire. Here, Catherine's long-held interests in the field of Arts have been stimulated.

Her earlier career in Nursing Education was set aside when Catherine undertook full-time studies at the University of New South Wales, attaining a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) Degree. She subsequently acquired great satisfaction from her involvement in the design of Hospitals and other Health-Care buildings.

On retirement, Catherine was able to devote time to a variety of artistic pursuits. She joined three local groups: Sutherland Shire Art Society, University of the 3rd Age and Botany Bay Family History Society. Through membership of these three groups, she has enjoyed learning foreign languages, attending classes in Drawing, Painting and Art History, visiting Art Gallery Exhibitions and researching her Family Tree.

In the belief that she should "give something back", Catherine has given talks on diverse topics, such as "Perspective for the Artist", "The history of Watercolour Painting", "Gladesville Psychiatric Hospital: the people and the architecture", King Charles II and English Genealogy".

In more recent times, Catherine's specific artistic aim has been to master Watercolour Painting. In striving to capture the essence of her varied painting subjects, she believes that working alongside other artists and mutually sharing knowledge and experience, increases artistic satisfaction and skill and strengthens determination to succeed. Such a group of artists is to be found among the membership of the "Sutherland Shire Art Society".

RUSTY NAILS

Watercolour painting Saunders Rough paper 300gmsThis scene confirmed for me the informality and longevity of country structures. Why buy new components for a mending job when there are bits and pieces lying idle? I tried to capture the dried-out timbers, the bleached rope, the old shirt flung across the fence, the gun-metal grey wire, the sandstone blocks and the wonderfully rusty "fittings". I felt sure thst there were stories to be told about the materials in this small corner of the field.

BOUQUET

Watercolour painting Saunders Rough paper 300gms

I selected these few flowers from a number of wreaths sent by friends and relatives on the sad occasion of my daughter’s funeral. They mean something very special to me.

GUMNUTS

Watercolour painting Saunders Rough paper 300gms

Walking in the garden, I almost stepped on this fallen twig of gumnuts. There was something about the shape and rusty colour of the dried seed pods and the dry leaves which I couldn’t resist. I just wanted to paint it. I took the twig to my kitchen, where the stiffness of the stem allowed it to “perch”, raised above the bench. Strong light from a skylight overhead cast a shadow which added to the appeal of the subject.

SWALLOW ROCKS

Watercolour painting

Saunders Rough paper 300gms

Several members of the Sutherland Shire Art Society went down to Swallow Rock Reserve on an “Outdoor Painting” day. Here, the Hacking River is beginning to widen as it wends its way from Audley towards the ocean. A small tributary breaks the far bank at the edge of the Royal National Park. Mangrove gives way to natural bushland. It was a peaceful spot that day – not like weekends. It was hot, but cloudy: a lazy day with not much activity on this particular stretch of the water. I added an aluminium “tinney”, anchored on the sand, to suggest that someone would soon appear.