Artist Style

Felicity Grant chats to Style

Tell us a little about yourself

I now live in Toowoomba but was born in SW Queensland where my family owned a sheep and cattle property. Over almost four decades, I’ve developed my career as an artist while living in three states, raising a family, doing commission work and exhibiting widely.

Describe your style?

Realism or Illustrative but with a contemporary twist. I like to make my paintings a visual journey, where the discovery of small details within the work helps build a story.

What inspires you?

The beauty of the natural environment, however small or insignificant. My close affinity with Australian birds and country life is often featured in my paintings and I often intertwine these with still life objects.

When did you start painting?

From a very young age. I graduated in 1981 with a Diploma of Visual Arts from DDIAE (now USQ). Watercolour classes with renowned Toowoomba painter Rex Backhaus-Smith, helped develop my skills further and he opened my first solo exhibition in 1984.

How has your painting evolved?

Much of my work is produced in series, often finding inspiration in familiar subjects and depicting them in a humorous or quirky way.

Why do you enjoy painting?

It’s a job that I’ve always felt comfortable doing. I enjoy the solitude of the creative process and challenging myself along the way. It’s a great buzz when others enjoy what you produce.

Some highlights of your artistic life?

To choose one, would be as feature artist at the 2008 Grammar Art Show.

What do you like about Toowoomba?

It’s a gentler pace than a larger city and has been a place of education and employment for me over the years. My first job in 1981, was as a trainee Graphic Artist for DDIAE (now USQ) and for WIN Television Toowoomba. I also illustrated a ‘Birds of our Town’ segment for the Toowoomba Chronicle.

What is your dream goal or project?

A bigger studio to produce larger works!