Kathleen Bentley
Artistic Preferences
I initially painted with oils and acrylics but then I tried pastels – and I was hooked! My larger land and sea scapes are painted on pastel paper with soft pastels, but I discovered velour about 18 months ago and use both pastels and pastel pencils to paint native and domestic animals. I thoroughly enjoy the medium of velour; it is especially good for creating animals with character.
Brief Biography
I hadn’t painted much since leaving high school. When I retired to Ulverstone from Kalgoorlie with my husband Max, I felt compelled to paint the richness of the land and sea scapes, and the old buildings of Tasmania all of which I love. I have now been painting for just over six years and while I am largely self-taught, I have enjoyed joining workshops organised by June Wilson, Latrobe pastel artist, and Evelyn Antonysen, Forth watercolour artist.
In 2014 I completed Certificate IV in Visual Arts at Devonport TAFE.
I have regularly exhibited at ArtTex Ulverstone Rotary, Sheffield’s Gallery Tasmania, Ulverstone’s Gawler Gallery, Latrobe Art & Photography, North West Regional Art Exhibition at Devonport, Mansell TasArt Exhibition at Burnie and Wilmot Art exhibitions, as well as the Sheffield’s Working Art Space, Devonport Gallery and the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize in Western Australia.
My first solo exhibition in 2014 was at the ArtsCape Gallery in Wynyard and I have continued to exhibit at ArtsCape during subsequent years. I have also had solo exhibitions at the Ulverstone Visitor’s Centre, Gawler Gallery in Ulverstone, Sheffield Working Art Space, Sheffield Gallery Tasmania and Burnie’s 2eleven Gallery.
In 2014 I won First Prize in the Pastel Division of the inaugural Somerset Arts Festival and again, in 2016, I won first prize in the Pastel Division of the Somerset Arts Festival. In 2017 I won the Major Award in the North West Regional Art Exhibition.
I am humbled by the interest shown in my art and gratified that so many people love and buy my paintings. I have a variety of paintings in private collections throughout Europe and the Americas, as well as most Australian states and territories.
I take commissions for both domestic pets and Tasmanian wildlife.