Art by Renee
Hi, I’m Renee Young. I’ve been an artist as well as working as a business analyst in the Corporate world for the last 25 years. I'm largely self taught, however have also been privileged to learn from some very talented Australian artists over this time.
I work in many media such as water colours, oils, pastels, clay, and cover a range of topics. Being a self confessed fauna-nerd for many years, much of my art tends to reflect this passion. Australia is home to so much fascinating and beautiful animals, I like to use my art to showcase these to people, and perhaps inform them about what’s outside their door. Most of Australia’s fauna is quiet, unobtrusive and can take some time to see and understand. Unfortunately many Australian’s know more about African animals than they do about Australian native fauna. Through my art, I hope to introduce people to their neighbours and maybe spark an interest through education.
As an extension to the wildlife art, I have also long had a deep love for horses. While my Arabian mare was a typical challenging and spirited (a.k.a naughty) Arab mare, my art also often explores horses and their relationship with people. Few things symbolise strength, freedom and the grace of movement and few things teach patience and humality like a horse, whatever the temperament!
I typically work in our rainforest studio (I can recommend it, everyone should have one!) from reference material, mostly photographs taken ourselves. I also work plein air, especially for landscapes with watercolours.
I hope you enjoy my art. If you have any questions, would like a piece completed for you, or have any comments, please don’t hesitate to drop me a line.
Nice art, pity about the frame?
We frame most of our artwork ourselves. This gives us total creative control, ensures we are happy with the quality of the work as well as being able to control the source of the materials.
In keeping with our ethos, the majority of our framing and gift boxes are made from recycled materials. Most of the frames are created from recycled hardwoods, while gift boxes are made from recycled materials and quality timber (off-cuts) that would otherwise end up in landfill. This reduces the demand for forest products, and allows these beautiful timbers to have a new life.
These are crafted by Wayne and myself by hand, and finished in our workshop to a high standard using traditional techniques. For example, you may notice that the corners of the picture frames are pinned with timber pegs? This approach was used before the advent of staples and push-in pins and provides for a very strong joint that won’t move, crack or warp under a variety of climatic conditions.
Where we know the history of the timbers used in a piece, we provide this information along with the artwork. We think this adds to the piece. Knowing for example that the beautiful Jarrah hardwood timber in the frame previously stood for 20 years in the heat and cyclones of the Pilbara as the bearers in the Dampier Port Wharf Managers’ Office, and is now part of an art piece rather than waste provides a nice context, which we hope is appreciated.