FIONA COTTON PAINTINGS
Fiona Cotton is a contemporary realist painter, specialising in still life painting and portraiture. She has spent time in Florence studying classical painting techniques and has been a finalist in many art prizes including the AME Bale Art Prize, the Percival Portrait Prize, the Mosman Art Prize, the Rick Amor Self Portrait Prize and the Eutick Memorial Still Life Award. She is delighted to be featured in Still Life by Amber Creswell Bell published by Thames and Hudson in 2021.
"Painting from life and using traditional techniques I explore the gentle beauty of everyday objects in my still life work. In a chaotic world, I try to create a quiet space where creative and joyful thoughts can flourish through contemplation of an image rich with colour and light. My portraits, painted from life, are a way to reveal something of the inner life of the sitters."
Fiona began her art training at a young age with professional artist Mary Martin in the UK before moving to Australia in her teens. She has a BA in Fine Art (History) and Drama (Flinders University), a Dip Ed (Adelaide University) and an MA (Macquarie University). She developed a career in teaching and research in English and Linguistics all the while painting whenever she could. In 2010 she returned to painting and has travelled to Florence five times to further her art training. Her work can be seen at the A.K. Bellinger Gallery, Inverell.
Education
2020
2019
2019
2019
2018
2017
2017
2016
2015
2014
2011-13
1969-73
Andrew Bonneau Portrait Workshop
Joshua LaRock Workshop
Jason Arkles, Artistic Anatomy, Brisbane
Andrew Bonneau Workshop, NPG
Michael Klein Workshop
Andrew Bonneau Workshop, Brisbane
Cesar Santos Workshop, Florence Studio
Charles H Cecil Studios, Florence
Florence Academy of Art Intensive
Florence Academy of Art workshop
Canberra School of Art, part time
BA Fine Art and Drama, Flinders University, SA
, the Florence Studio
, Rosemary's Brushes, Yorkshire