Kathy Ellem

My Story

Art started as a simple hobby in 2003 but it soon became my centre.  I whole heartedly pursued the challenge of becoming an artist after trying a series of other more logical career options including teaching, financial analysis, biology and naturopathy.  Painting didn’t come naturally, particularly drawing, but acknowledging weaknesses and spending time developing these skills makes me believe that persistence, over talent, leads to success.  I often tell my students to use the ‘yet’ word, as in ‘I can’t do that “yet”’.  

Growing up on an apple orchard in North East Victoria, Australia within a family of entrepreneurs and then later living on remote cattle properties with my husband Chris and our two children Sariah and Alex, challenged me to be creative with the business side of art. But always returning to the core of skill development being fundamental in creating strong foundations. With a growing frustration at the portrayal of those living on the land I became passionate about expressing the positive side, with a wish to quietly share that we see ourselves as stewards of the land and animals.

Over the years I have developed a very unusual connection to draught animals particularly the horses. People are often surprised to find that we don’t own any horses, as a matter of fact after being bucked off a horse as a child I really detested them. But those seemingly gentle giants have won me over. I have also found great friendships with their owners and admire their commitment to preserving history and finding their own creative ways to keep their passions alive. As I paint I find myself reflecting on the values of commitment, hardwork and steady calm strength.

Creatively I love the challenge of capturing accurate detail whilst also placing gems of pure colour with loose mark making to create the impression of texture and dimension that is only evident on closer inspection.

Whilst the following awards are gratifying and affirming my greatest rewards have come from the students who have attended my workshops, either online or in person. Hearing them share that they have discovered greater freedom in expressing their own voices through their art makes the journey worthwhile.

Notable awards include:

• National Equine Art Prize, $8000 First Place, 2017

• First place in 2D and awarded Christine Drewyer Award of Distinction, WAOW, USA, 2018

• Best in show, WAOW, USA, 2020.

• John Villiers Outback Art Prize, Winton QLD, $10,000 Acquisitive award, 2020.

• Bright Autumn Art Show, 2022, Best in show, Aquisitive $5000.

• Currabubulla red cross art show2022 and 2023, Grand Champion, $5000.

Featured in Art of the West Magazine, Australian Artist Magazine and Outback Magazine.

Annual solo exhibitions until establishing my own gallery in Beechworth in 2018.

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2018 was a huge year with opening of my new gallery at 45 Ford Street Beechworth, and I look forward to seeing you there.