ARTIST BIO

Narrating the scapes of Port Philip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula, and eminently inspired by botanicals, still life imagery and organic scenes, Melbourne painter Ann Collins produces immersive and evocative works of art. Veering away from representational portrayals, in favour of conceptual and abstract depictions, her works focus closely on the colour complexions, texurisations and temperament of her subjects.

Whilst working primarily in acrylics and oils on the canvas, she initially sketches plain air in watercolours, in an effort to memorise her impressions of the scene and capture the tints and tones of the setting. Alternating the degree of literal details she includes, her works are often produced spontaneously and intuitively, and aim to emulate the subconscious and emotional compositions of both herself and her subjects.

As her artistry continues to elevate and evolve after more than four decades, Ann is frequently influenced by the works of French painters Paul Gauguin, Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet and Henry Matisse, as well as Australian still life artists Margaret Olle and Margaret Preston. After attending a number of art related workshops throughout the 1980s and 90s, in an effort to master a mix of mediums and methods, she completed a Certificate 111 in Visual and Contemporary Craft and Textile Design at TAFE, in 2009.

Residing in Wodonga for almost 30years, after relocating in 1984, she participated in over 80 group and solo exhibitions across regional Victoria, metropolitan Melbourne, regional New South Wales and Canberra. Additionally, she was the recipient of over 40 art awards within North east Victoria, and operated her own privately run art gallery in Albury in the late 1990s. Ann continues to attend workshops and exhibit in group showings across Melbourne, and is currently an active member of the Victorian Artists Society.