INSIGHT
glow and haze of the afternoon. At
all times, he strives to capture the
subtleties of the Australian atmosphere.
John Shields has numerous art
prizes to his credit and his work is
included in many private and public
art collections in Australia, Canada,
Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand,
South Korea, Japan, South Africa, the
USA and West Germany. His work is
exhibited in many New South Wales
galleries including his own studio/
gallery at Richmond.
John’s artistic career really began
in primary school where he won
several art competitions. He studied
Technical Drawing at high school,
which assisted him in understanding
perspective. He took up serious
oil painting at the age of 30, after
completing his Arts Degree at the
University of New England.
A teaching career with the
New South Wales Department
of Education, spanning 38 years,
preceded John’s recent retirement.
He now paints professionally and he
is justly proud of the fact that he has
not been classed as a hobby artist for
most of his career.
He has painted in watercolours and
oils. He prefers oils due to their texture
and ease of application.
John Shields has done still lifes and
portraits – but he turned to landscapes
during teaching commitments in
the rural centres of Nundle (near
Tamworth) and Culcairn (near Wagga
Wagga). He developed a deep love of
the countryside and a great appreciation
of Nature.
This man is no stranger to success
in exhibiting his art, having won
awards at several country towns
including Currabubula, Nundle and
Uralla in the New England region of
New South Wales.
His major source of inspiration is
undoubtedly Nature itself ... with its
mists, heat hazes and contrasts.
John claims that some of his most
outstanding works include recent
paintings of the Blue Mountains,
Mt Buffalo (in Victoria), and South