Christine F Mc Donald
Artist’s Statement
Painting is simply a joy and a passion. For me it frees my soul from past and present emotions - so I am simply the expressionist painter. I do not set out to paint a particular subject with my art. I start with a blank canvas‚ put on my headphones‚ pour a glass of wine and it comes in a unconscious way. I gain inspiration from relating to other people and different experiences in my life.
Biography
After a Secondary Art teaching career, Christine's art practice now reflects deep concern for the world’s ecology. She has been a finalist in 2020 and 2021 Landscape Prizes, SBS Mornington and has participated in various exhibitions: No Vacancy (2021), Flora Dandenong 2021, Gallery NONA (2012), Kingston (2011).
"Influences
My art practice has evolved slowly. I trained as a printmaker but painting and drawing is what I do now.
I tend to work in themes and on self-directed projects. This relates to my teaching background.
The One Year Drawing Project was in collaboration with three artists. A drawing a week shared, with two exhibitions at the end of the project.
The Small Paintings Project was a series of gifted paintings reflecting the recipient in style and subject matter.
The Holiday Series is an ongoing series of places. I have always holidayed in bushland, mountains or by the ocean. These vistas influence my work.
My current projects are developing around two themes which overlap.
Theme 1: I have spent most of my life living on Bunurong/Boonwurrung country near bushland and the sea, with native and now an indigenous garden. In recent years I have watched the bushland rapidly deteriorate. This informs my new work.
Theme 2: Exploring my family’s Australian ancestors and their connection to the land we call home. A number of ancestors arrived in Sydney, Australia on the First and Second Fleets as convicts. Life was hard, but it was traumatic for First Nation’s people. My work reflects on these connections and disconnections to the land.
For many years I have worked with watercolours and a variety of drawing materials. More recently I have focused on acrylics on stretched canvas.
Exhibitions
Group Exhibitions
2021 Landscape Prize Finalist, Southern Buoys Studios, Mornington, Victoria
2021 Flora, Heritage Hill Museum/Gallery City of Greater Dandenong
2021 Artaviso Door to Door, No Vacancy, Melbourne
2021 Mornington Art Show, Mornington, Victoria
2020 Landscape Prize Finalist, Southern Buoys Studios, Mornington, Victoria
2019 Birth, egg and mixed media in “Ovid & Plinthy the Elder”, a participatory project. Project Gallery,
Queensland College of Art, Griffiths University, Brisbane, Coordinator Helen Hardess
2013 The Sketchbook Project Brooklyn Library, USA
2011 The One Year Collaborative Drawing Project, Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabbin, Victoria & Gallery NONA, Brisbane Institute of Art, Queensland
Website
Showing the single artwork
