Grandma paints a different future

AFTER working in a corner office of a corporate industry for years, one Warwick grandmother says her passion for painting and motto that you “only live once” inspired her to chase her dreams and become a full-time artist.

Art was originally just a hobby that Amelia Willmer was good at, but after years working in a “soul-destroying” corporate job, she decided to take a leap of faith and become a full-time artist.

Ms Willmer said she believed you were never too old to learn and it was important to chase the things in life you were most passionate about.

“When you get into your 50s … you really start to question what you’re doing with your life. I definitely think the message is, life’s short. If something really speaks to you and you love it, then go for it,” she said.

For Ms Willmer, this liberating moment came when she decided to go back to university as a mature-age student and enrol in painting at Queensland College of Art at Griffth University.

After finishing her degree, Ms Willmer and husband Brian moved to Emu Vale from the Gold Coast 15 months ago.

“This tree change came and we decided it was time to go back to the country,” she said.

“We looked around every weekend until we finally found the perfect place at Emu Vale. It had glorious views and I thought, ‘Now I can start my studio and really get into it’.”

The move allowed her the opportunity to start her studio, Art by Amelia Willmer.

“What I’m really glad to see is how much art there is in Warwick, it’s actually very rich in the arts, a very vibrant place,” she said.

Ms Willmer’s 50-piece art exhibition called Proximities opens at the Warwick Art Gallery on August 26.