F
roma spacein herhomeoverlooking
a significantwetlandsystemfilledwith
waterbirds,at theheadwatersof the
ColdstreamRiver,NSW,artistKathleenphotographs,
paints,illustratesandwrites.Shehasbuilt up
a catalogueof completedworksandreference
materialfromhercurrenthome,hertravels and
frompreviousplacesshehaslivedandworked, as
shestudiestheenvironmentaroundher.
Kathleenfirstexhibitedsomeof herartwork at
agriculturalshowswhilestillin primaryschool. In
lateryearsherillustrations,paintings,photographs
andwritinghavefoundhomesin manypublic
andgovernmentpublications,parksigns,private
collectionsandmore.
“I’vealwayspainted,collectedspecimens to
study,andwrittenaboutthesethings.Photography
followedsoonafterandwithdigitalcameras that
hasbecomeeveneasier.
“I’veworkedwithNSWNationalParksand
Wildlife,Departmentof EnvironmentandClimate
Change,ParksAustraliain theNorthernTerritory,
andmanyotherenvironmentallyfocussedagencies.
I’vealsoworkedasa journalist,photographer and
editorthroughoutthenorth,midnorthcoast, the
Tablelandsandwesternslopesregionsof NSW.
“I’vetravelledAustralia,livedin some
extraordinaryplacesandworkedin manyand
variedjobsthathaveprovidedmewithskills and
knowledgeI neverthoughtpossibleandwhich often
pushedmewelloutsidemycomfortzone. Being
in theseplacespresentedopportunitiesto capture
imagesI wouldotherwiseneverhaveseen.”Thecameraasanartist’stooloftrade...
Manyartistshaveusedphotographsasreferences
fortheirwork,withthecamerabecominga valued
additionto theartist’stoolbox.
A fascinationwithAustralia– natural,cultural
andhistorical– ledKathleento regularlyhighlight
Australian-themedsubjectsin hervariedwork.
Thisworkoftenbeginswitha photograph, which
is transformedintoa paintingor illustration, or
accompaniedbya storyor poem.
Withmorethan 40 yearsproducingartwork,
photographsandwritings,Kathleen’sworkstill flies
undertheradar,butis wellknownbythosewho have
soughtherto commissionworkor bythosewho
knowherskill,knowledge,passionfornature and
determinationto useherartworkto educate others. >>Photos
Top: Kathleen Davies Left: SunsetsKathleen Davies
artist 7