"Splashes of Mackay" at the Lagoon's Gallery

“Splashes of Mackay” an exhibition by Susan Riley Gee at Mackay Regional Botanic Garden's Lagoons Gallery that showcases the Mackay Region.

Susan Riley Gee says “My paintings show the reasons I moved to Mackay 31 years ago. Where else would you see palms breaking the horizon, reflections in the Melaleuca forests, or islands over the sea and night strolls on Eimeo Beach.”

My longing to paint started when I went around Australia in 1979.

"Our sunrises, sunsets, water, reflections, hills, trees, storms, the human form and the list goes on, are breathtaking."

"I used to stare.  Now I “see” why I’m staring – colour, shadows, light and direction. I can feel it registering in my mind. It is learning by simply looking. I wanted so badly to paint. So after moving from the Northern Beaches in Sydney to the Northern Beaches in Mackay 33 years ago, I started doing workshops through The Mackay Art Society. The most helpful tutor being Rosemary Payne, a local artist."

"My preferred medium at the moment is acrylic oils. I love the effects I achieve with the two when they are mixed to different consistencies and then guiding them to create my piece. My watercolours are always wet-on-wet papers, again the colours flow and merge, having just the right amount of pigment so that it is still transparent. I love this medium, it’s so soft."

"I am now painting till I drop; I love it. The pleasure is indescribable. It’s my passion and I so enjoy the feeling. I hope you enjoy my exhibition “Splashes of Mackay”.

The exhibition is available for viewing from May 6 till June 1 during Lagoons Cafe opening hours: Wednesday to Friday 10am - 3pm and Weekends 9am - 4pm.

Contact: Maya Harrison

Phone: 4952 7300

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