INSIGHTT
anzania in East Africa was
Louise Derry’s birthplace.
Her home these days is in far
north Queensland. She has earned
an arts degree in ‘Art, Design and
Technology’ which combined a variety
of art modules including pottery; print-
making; fabrics; silversmithing and
jewellery; woodwork; and art history.
“I specialised in painting in my final
year,” she admits. “I wasted much
of my college time as I was far more
interested in my newfound freedom and
independence – being away from home.
What I do today is the result of simply
doing it; trial and error; and learning
through the process. And I have many
more learning years to go. Over a few
years I have also done several workshops
with various artists who I admire.”
Louise has always loved and admired
artists’ ability to paint and has always
had the urge to do so herself.
“I’ve always loved colour,” she
reveals. “But I did not commit heavily
to painting until recently. I have done
this with the support of my husband. It
really began in 2003, when I held myfirst solo show at Nature’s Powerhouse
in Cooktown. A friend encouraged
me to apply for a grant, to give me a
stepping stone to put on a show.”
“I have sold my work successfully
for an income for several years,” she
continues. “However, in the last year
or so, sales have declined with the
closure of three galleries which I was
involved with. With reduced outlets, it
is hard to show and sell my work. Art
is a luxury item, too; and I guess this
current economic climate is reflected in
reduced sales.”