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Press Releases

19 August 2005

Wildlife artist begins artist in residence program at RBG Melbourne

Multi-award winning wildlife artist, Janet Flinn, begins the first ever Artist in Residence program at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

She will be at the Gardens Shop on Sunday 18 September from 11am to 3pm.

Janet Flinn’s colourful paintings have been published as limited edition prints and in the book Feather and Brush: Three Centuries of Australian Bird Art by Dr Penny Olsen.

The essence of her work is capturing the characteristics of the unique wild creatures of Australia.

Janet explores beyond the obvious, having spent years patiently observing birds in their natural habitats, resulting in perceptive portraits, full of character and personality. Her paintings are full of life and colour.

The new Artists in Residence program is an extension to the wide range of local botanic art that is showcased in the Gardens Shop gallery.

Janet Flinn will be available to talk about her artistic technique, style, research trips, materials used and provide tips on how you can create own botanic art.

Media enquiries: Penny Underwood on (03) 9818 8540.

Janet Flinn - Wildlife Artist:

Janet Flinn finds most of her favourite subjects such as parrots, kookaburras, robins, wrens and magpies, close to her Melbourne home. However, each year she travels hundreds of kilometres to observe Australian birds and animals in their natural habitat

Allowing the subject to suggest her approach and medium, Janet contrasts opaque paint against transparent watercolour, solid shapes against fine lines and accurate rendering against loose and spontaneous brushwork. Compositions are carefully planned with a particular interest in the use of space and asymmetry. She depicts her subjects in a realistic manner, but places them on a background where the colours and shapes work in a non-narrative way to suggest their environment.

Janet has held eleven solo exhibitions at galleries including Waverley City Gallery, Peninsula Gallery, White Hill Gallery, Olinda Gallery and Eltham Wiregrass Gallery. She exhibits in numerous group exhibitions and galleries in Australia. Paintings of Australia's unique wildlife by Janet, now hang in many countries, including America, Japan, England, Canada, China, the Netherlands and New Zealand. After a career in teaching, Janet, who holds a Graduate Diploma in Art Education, teaches artists at selected workshops and has taken executive roles in Art Societies.

Amongst Janet's awards are 'First Prize' R.S.P.C.A. Art Exhibition, 1991; 'Most Popular Exhibit' at Eltham Wiregrass Gallery's Wildlife Exhibition 1995; the Bird Observers Club Award 1999; 1st Prize Oil Painting Award 2001; Silver Medal 2003; Bronze Medal 2004 at the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia's Annual Exhibition and 2004 'Best Other Medium' at Waverley Art Society. She was chosen "Artist of the Year" for the Waverley Arts Society - by both Members' and Public Choice in 2003 and again by Public Choice in 2005.

In 2005 Janet's original Pen and Ink Drawings of the local Flora and Fauna have been fabricated into attractive metal signage set along the Walking Trail at Valley Reserve, Mt. Waverley, Victoria. An initiative of Monash City Council and the Friends of Valley Reserve, the new signs will enhance visitors' knowledge and enjoyment of this attractive park.

Janet's work has been published in the R.S.P.C.A. Calendar 1993-2005. Her paintings have been published in magazines including feature articles in "Australian Artist" and "International Artist", as cards and as limited edition prints in Australia and Europe. Janet is delighted when such publications raise funds to aid the creatures that inspire her art, and actively supports conservation projects.

Janet Flinn creates paintings that capture the drama, colour and magic of the unique wild creatures of Australia.