Nature's muse: An artist's 'Delicate Touch' captivates audiences
With influences spanning from New Mexico to regional Queensland and a lockdown in Western Australia, the journey through the arts has been an enduring source of inspiration for CQUniversity alumna and exhibiting artist Jenny Gilbertson.
Ms Gilbertson has had a successful exhibition with ‘a delicate touch’ in Cottesloe, WA, and her eclectic curated collection of mixed media almost mirrors hr adventurous life lived through opportunities that the arts has offered her.
“I strive to create objects of beauty and contemplation,” Ms Gilbertson said.
“My artwork usually has many layers: layers of meaning and layers of media. I work slowly and thoughtfully, often stopping for extended periods of time to consider a work, until I arrive at something I feel will adequately communicate my perceptions of a particular place, culture, landscape or object.”
Ms Gilbertson had the opportunity to study abroad at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 2010, and said the experience still informed a lot of her artistry.
“Being able to study at NMSU had an outstanding influence on my artwork, and still serves as an unending source of inspiration in my work to this day, being a key element in my most recent exhibition,” Ms Gilbertson said.
The support of staff at CQUniversity through her Bachelor of Arts (Creative Enterprise) opened the way for the curious artist to undertake the international exchange.
She was subsequently able to co-curate two international exchange exhibitions and artist residencies between Unsettled Gallery in Las Cruces and galleries in both Childers and Bundaberg.
“I made so many important connections with artists, craftspeople and galleries during that time and developed a deep love of the peoples, places and cultures of the American Southwest.
“I will always be indebted to the fabulous staff, both at CQU and NMSU, who made this possible and supported me in so many ways.”
Drawing from her interest in both Australian native flora and landscapes, and the American Southwest, ‘a delicate touch’ encapsulated the breadth of artistic exploration, experimenting with painting and drawing, ceramics, watercolour and stone carving, even including jewellery pieces crafted out of porcelain, copper and brass.
“I have taught myself many different skills and techniques in all sorts of diverse media over the years, and now use whichever medium seems most appropriate for a piece,” Ms Gilberston said.
“Sometimes I will repeat ideas across different media, for example my Fallen Leaves series of watercolour paintings now find themselves also being painted onto porcelain using underglaze techniques.
“For emerging artists I would say: don’t worry too much about what you should create – just try everything and absorb as much as possible, you will eventually find ways of working and a particular media that suit you best. Seek out other artists for support and discussion – they will know what you are going through.
“Life as an artist is a fabulous adventure where unthought of opportunities arise and, if you are willing to grab them, you will find amazing people and places opening up to you.”
To view and learn more about Ms Gilbertson's creative work, visit Jenny’s artist website.
To explore CQUniversity's diverse and flexible arts courses and pathways, visit CQU's Arts website.
