Wentworth Falls artist and ceramicist, Lesley Tarlinton, is excited to have been selected as the featured artist at this year's Blue Mountains Artfest.
The creative showcase will be held over the weekend of November 8-10 at Wentworth Falls Public School, celebrating the talents of more than 70 artists and artisans, most of whom are local to the Blue Mountains. Now in its 37th year, this is one of the longest-running art shows in the region.
Tarlinton grew up in the Monaro region and has been painting and drawing "since she could hold a pencil". She is a graduate from the National Art School and has a Diploma in Ceramics from East Sydney Technical Collage. Her paintings and ceramics are held in private collections in Australia, Hong Kong, England and the USA.
This exhibition will showcase a diverse range of her works, including canvas images, photographic prints and ceramic pieces, which she says are about "surrendering to the mountains aesthetic".
In addition, there will be a wide range of other quality art and crafts available for purchase, spanning a range of mediums such as drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, jewellery, wearable art and textiles.
The theme for this year's exhibition is 'Ruminate'.
"I have been ruminating about my place in the community, my family, my environment, and the place of art in our lives," said Tarlinton.
She describes gouache and inks, clays are oxides, flame and heat as her demanding and delightful co-workers. "Clay, my goofy friend, occupies most of my studio. The magical transformation that occurs during firing, when clay becomes ceramic, never fails to surprise and impress me. Pieces emerge from the kiln with a voice of their own."
For those keen to try their hand at something new, Tarlinton will hold two ceramic workshops for beginners over the Artfest weekend. The creations will be glazed and fired afterwards in her Creek Lane Studio, ready for collection before Christmas.
A range of other inspiring workshops are also on offer, for both kids and adults, teaching a diverse range of creative techniques, such as portraiture, felting, printmaking and wreathing. There are limited vacancies for these workshops and bookings are essential.
Artfest is the major fundraiser for Wentworth Falls Public School. It is run by the P&C Association and supported by a wide range of local businesses, including major sponsors Wentworth Falls Animal Hospital, Bendigo Bank in Katoomba, Catriona Swan from Belle Property, Leura and d'Vine Cellars in Wentworth Falls.
All proceeds from the weekend directly support students at the school, through the purchase of educational resources and improvements to the learning environment.
The official Artfest opening will be held on the evening of Friday, November 8, followed by an exciting program of entertainment, activities and pop-up café open throughout the weekend. Visit www.bluemountainsartfest.net.au for more details.