The Visual Communicator

Painting and creating are this talented artist’s passions, with Australia offering him a rich source of inspiration for his artistic endeavours.

Australian artist, painter and tutor, Don Milner chooses themes and subjects from Australia's rich and unique way of life, its characters and scenery, all of which inspire, colour and enrich his world as an artist. His honest, intuitive approach to painting have won Don many awards and accolades, which has led to lost of commissioned art works produced in his popular themes.

Artists who influence and inspire him include Rubens, Rembrandt, Velazquez, and Godward. Modern day masters include Norman Lindsay, Sydney Long, Rupert Bunny, Tom Roberts, and James Whistler, and contemporary artists include Ralf Heimans, Richard Schmid, Hal Barton, Herman Pekel, and Kevin Beilfuss.

“I am primarily a 'visual communicator' using images to tell stories in my own way as I celebrate my ‘freedom of expression’ through mediums such as acrylics, oils, pastels and charcoal”, says Don.

“I’m inspired by my environment and the colourful characters who inhabit it. My internal impressions manifest and reflect themselves through my paintings, covering many subjects and genres, predominately Portraiture, Seascapes, Landscapes, and Still Life. However, it is the Portrait that will be the primary focus for my workshop in this magazine."

“The Portrait holds a particular fascination for me, and my paintings endeavour to capture and express the true character of my subjects. Often I paint in a traditional style, however, I also enjoy exploring new and dynamic ways of seeing and capturing the human form. The eyes are truly the portal to the soul, so I try to get their expression right and then the portrait breathes life.”

The Portrait Subject

“The role of the artist when painting a portrait is to capture and express something special about the sitter. This can be a good likeness of the external form, which is a statement about the subject’s external looks, or something else which is uniquely that person”, explains Don.

“The intuitive artist can see below the surface, which empowers the creative spirit to express ‘that special something’ … the true and unique essence of the subject.

“I believe every artist needs to discover their own unique way of expressing these things by developing techniques and methods, and using colour and tone to create mood, leaving the mark of the artist’s brush strokes in the paint itself.”

education:

• 2009 Certificate IV. Training & Assessment. Sunshine Coast, TAFE

• 1976 - 1979 Diploma of Arts - Visual Communications, Qld College of Art

exhibitions:

• 2015 Semi Finalist - “Doug Moran National Portrait”, Australia

• 2014 Winner - 3rd Prize - Portrait “Andrew Fisher”, Sunshine Coast, Qld

• 2013 Winner - 2nd Prize - Portrait “Windows Of Time”, Sunshine Coast, Qld

• 2013 Winner - “Best of Show”, “Best Landscape”, “Best Still Life”, Moore Art Awards & Exhibition, Qld

• 2012 Solo - “Making Light of Paint”, Rosalie Gallery, Goombungee, Qld

• 2011 Group - “Sunshine Coast - Unsung Heroes – Portraits”, Sunshine Coast, Qld

• 2010 Group - “The Language of Art”, Carrington’s Gallery, Noosa Junction, Qld

• 2010 Solo - “Retrospective Back to the Future”, Rosalie Gallery, Goombungee, Qld

• 2009 Winner - Open Category, “Best Painting” Scholarship to Brisbane Artist’s Academe, Qld

• 2009 Winner - Best Portrait. “Art 4 Life Portrait Painting Competition”, Qld

• 2008 Winner - Landscape Sect. “Kenilworth Painting Competition” + Highly Commended, Kenilworth, Qld

• 2007 Group - “Totally Nude”,

Cooroy Butter Factory Gallery, Cooroy, Qld

• 2007 Group - “Drawn Together”, Circle Gallery, West End, Qld

• 2007 Group - “Art of the Body”, Eumundi, Qld

• 2007 “Selected Qld Artists. 2007 Archibald”, Noosa Heads, Qld

• 2006 Group - “Two Visions”, Novotel Twin Waters Resort, Sunshine Coast, Qld

• 2006 Group - “Celebration The Painting”, Eumundi Artists,

Eumundi, Qld

• 2000-2005 “Various Group Exhibitions”, Sunshine Coast, Qld

• 1998 “Solo Exhibition”, Caboolture, Qld

• 1995 “Solo Exhibition”, The Lakes, Caboolture, Qld

• 1987 “Solo Exhibition”, Cairns, Qld

• 1985-1986 “Various Group Exhibitions”, Cairns, Qld

appointments:

• 2016-2009 “Invited Tutor”, University of Southern Qld, Mcgregor Art School, Toowoomba, Qld

• 2016 “Art Judge”, Bell Art Group Show, Qld

• 2012 “Invited Tutor”, Russell Art Society, Russell, New Zealand

• 2012 “Art Judge” - Artisans Guild of Caboolture & District, Qld

• 2007 “Artist in Residence”, Novotel Twin Waters Resort,

Sunshine Coast, Qld

• 1987 “President - Cairns Art Society”, Cairns, Qld

• 1986-1989 “Art Judge”, Mareeba and Atherton Art Shows

• 1987-1988 “Art Tutor”, Mareeba TAFE, Qld

Professional experience:

• Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Commercial Artist

• Art Director and Creative Director

• Owner and Managing Director - Advertising Agency and Design Studio

• Owner Operator - 3D Computer Animation Boutique for Corporate Video

• Commercial Photographer and Dark Room Operator

• Tutor of Painting Workshops - 25 years

Workshops and classes:

I enjoy and celebrate my artistic discoveries and journey through a personal commitment to sharing knowledge, experience and skills with others at regular painting and drawing workshops, locally and countrywide.

For more information about Don’s art, workshops or classes, contact: Email: donsart009@bigpond.com Web: www.donmilnerart.com Ph: 0428 929 103 Address: PO Box 274, Eumundi, Qld, 4562 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ don.milner.3 Instagram: @don.milner.art.3 ■