There aren’t too many holidays where you get to bring home your own artworks as mementos, but O’Reilly’s annual Artist is Residence Program (July 15 –20) gives participants just that chance to record their time away in watercolour, charcoal or acrylic.

Even beginners will go home with 2 or 3 small works from their time immersed in World Heritage listed rainforest, as unique and individual reminders of the beauty that far surpass the average holiday snapshots.

The program puts participants on the spot, literally, with the focus on capturing the moment to paint artwork directly from nature, a technique known as plein aire or ‘as you see it’, rather than working from photographs and memory in the studio.

The beautiful sub-tropical rainforest, spectacular mountain vistas and stunning sunsets over the western ranges could hardly provide better inspiration according to renowned Artist in Residence, John Morrison, who will urge participants to surrender some of the control they have in the studio, for the creativity of spontaneity.

“It is the wonderful risk element of painting surrounded by the landscape itself, outside of your comfort zone in the studio, and subject to the vagaries of weather, light and mother nature,” Mr Morrison said.

“It is the very risky nature of painting in this way that sometimes produces the most wonderful work.”

It is the preferred technique for the prolific painter, who has created some 2,500 artworks over five decades.

With a lifetime love of painting, John Morrison, a former dentist, has turned art into a second career, becoming the first international Artist in Residence at the famed Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA, along with residences at Yosemite National Park, California and several Australian national parks including Kakadu, The Great Sandy National Park, Fraser Island and Carnarvon Gorge.

He has staged some 70 exhibitions, won numerous awards and created commissioned works for collections in Australia, the US and the UK. He recently won the Port Macquarie Art Prize and is the midst of production of a major historical book on outback Australia that will contain several hundred of his illustrations.

“While my preferred medium is watercolour, which dries quickly and is easy to work with as well as being environmentally friendly, participants can choose other mediums,” Mr Morrison said.

“The workshop will feature plein aire painting, early morning light and sunset colour excursions, studio work, slide presentations, and of course invigorating and interesting walks in the rainforest.”

“Participants can focus on the detail of the flora and fauna, or capture the broad landscape, or a combination of both – it’s their choice.”

The program caters to artists of different experience – from beginners through to professionals.

O’Reilly’s provides the perfect backdrop for painting – the beauty of sub-tropical rainforests, 1000m above sea level descending from Antarctic beech forests to dry eucalypt woodlands, and boasting up to 120 species of birds and an abundance of other wildlife.

The retreat workshop experience offers the chance to commune with nature at its pristine best and be spoiled by the high standards of accommodation and service. Nature is served up with the legendary hospitality of the O’Reilly family, honed over 80 years in the business and the winter warmth of log fires.

O’Reilly’s offers bushwalking, bird-watching, 4WD tours, nocturnal activities including glow-worm spotting, the famous Tree Top Walk (the first of its kind in Australia), and guesthouse facilities including a plunge pool and spa, and the traditional hospitality of the dining room, serving 5 scrumptious meals a day.

For further information on Artist in Residence, or to make a booking, contact O’Reilly’s Reservations on 1800 688 722 or visit www.oreillys.com.au.

ENDS.

Further information on the Artist in Residence Week.

MEDIA:
For further information on this press release, please contact:
Amanda Tidmarsh
Phone: 07 5502 4900
Fax: 07 5502 0988
E-mail: amanda@oreillys.com.au
Or
Kathy Bourke
Phone: 07 5539 9883
Mobile: 0419 757 622
E-mail: kathy@articulatecommunications.com.au