Well established Maleny Artist, Vanessa Perske, packed her bags and literally 'took her art on the road’ for the entire year of 2018.

Perske’s fascination with nature and its complexity have become an emphasis in her recent work after completing a ‘Big Lap’ around Australia gaining a personal insight into the wonders of this beautiful country.

Her travels and exploration of Australia are reflected in her paintings through detail of texture, patterns and layering and she continues with her distinctive use of intense colour. She loves to capture Australian landscapes and Australian animals, native trees and flowers.

Perske is known for her use of bright colours, whimsical style and energy she portrays in her painting. She is meticulous in the preparation of new work and can spend hours researching the subject and appropriate materials she will use together with an instinctive ability to perfectly compliment the colour palate for each piece.

Having completed a Bachelor of Education degree, Perske had time away from her creative practice. After a few years of teaching in the classroom, she quickly realised that her passion remained with paint and canvas. She has followed that passion ever since and in 2009 she became a full time professional artist.

For Perske, artwork must be joyful, colourful and really make you feel good when observed. Perske’s work is often described as versatile and adaptive. She loves to keep the spark in her creations and continuously evolve to maintain her enthusiasm and sense of fun. Perske proudly contributes through her artwork to the Love Your Sister Charity, Samual Johnson’s challenge to banish Cancer, famously recognised characters of ‘Barry the Emu’ and ‘Gerry the Giraffe’.

Perske has held four solo shows and twice entered the prestigious Archibald Prize.

Chester Puffer