When coronavirus changed the direction of all our lives just over 12 months ago, local artist Gail Williams was also impacted.
Instead of spending summer in her beloved corner of New Zealand, where she spends months perfecting her craft and avoiding the stifling heat of Queensland, Gail was forced to stay close to home.
With travel options limited and a growing demand for her beautifully-painted pastel seascapes, Gail was invited to showcase her artwork at a local gallery.
And so began the process of creating over 30 pieces that would form the collection that will open at Pomona’s Railway Carriage Gallery on May 1.
Hailing from a family of artists, Gail’s mother and sister are also talented artists.
However, during the busy years of working and raising a family, Gail’s focus was needed elsewhere and she assumed the artistic gene had passed her by.
Thankfully, this was not the case.
“About 10 years ago, just after mum had passed away, I inherited mum’s art kit,” she said.
“I was first drawn to the vibrant colours, probably because I simply wanted to have my hands in and on something that her hands had also touched.
“From there is just sort of took off.”
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That initial experiment led to lessons from her artist sister in New Zealand.
To her surprise Gail quickly become immersed in painting, and a passion was born.
Many seascapes have since been painted, and Gail has drawn inspiration from her childhood holidays spent at Kings Beach at Caloundra.
Gail’s affinity for the Sunshine Coast began in her youth and her work often features pathways to the beach, capturing wonderful memories and bringing them back to life once more in the pastel medium.
In addition to gracing the walls of many homes on the Sunshine Coast, Gail’s paintings have sold in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and they have also found homes in New Zealand, Germany and Vietnam.
Gail has been a supporter of Wishlist Art Auction and her paintings are hung on the walls of the maternity unit at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital.
She is also very proud that a recent artwork has gone to a newly-created parents’ retreat space on the children’s ward, helping create a calm environment for parents and carers of ill children.
This exhibition, ‘Footsteps in the Sand’, showcases her love of the pastel medium and her love of all things beach.
Exhibition Opening: 10:30am, Saturday, May 1, The Old Pomona Railway Station Gallery, 10 Station Street, Pomona.
