Alpine Artists - Bronwyn Van De Graaff – Sublime beauty of the everyday

By Daniel A'Vard. For Mt Beauty's Bronwyn Van De Graaff, art and life are intertwined. From her earliest memories in kindergarten, painting has been a constant presence in her life. Today, making art remains her 'happy place'; a deeply enriching pursuit which runs parallel to life. From profound highs and joys, to discipline and disappointment. For Bronwyn, art is a way to find peace and to share it with the world. When asked where she finds inspiration for her work, she responds: “That’s easy, they say paint the world you live in.” While recognising the privilege of living in a peaceful time and place, she chooses to immerse herself in local botanicals and still-life painting. She deliberately steps away from controversial or political subjects, hoping instead to offer viewers a sense of harmony. Still-life painting often carries a strong tradition of metaphor and meaning in the compositions. Bronwyn notes by painting fruits and flowers as they bloom and inevitably fade, she is capturing the passage of time and the fragile beauty of life (as well as our own mortality). This emotional storytelling is especially prevalent in her commissioned works, where she acts as a director, constructing scenes centered on family heirlooms which carry their own deep, personal histories. Bronwyn is known for the depth and realism of her paintings, which require discipline and months to complete. Whilst she enjoys making quick 'alla prima' sketches to capture immediate light, her major works involve many layers of paint to build up the scene. This dedication to her craft has been rewarded by a number of significant Australian art prizes and works held in numerous public collections; including at the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia. Despite the success of her work, she remains humble, noting even the most accomplished artist’s palette is limited against the splendour of nature. For those inspired to explore painting themselves, her advice is simple: “Just start and enjoy the process," she said. "You know, you can play. "You'll make heaps of mistakes along the way, but they're learning experiences. "Just be true to yourself.” Ultimately, Bronwyn hopes her art gives people a sense of peace, inviting them to take a second look at the simple, everyday beauty which is so easy to take for granted.

Alpine Artists - Bronwyn Van De Graaff – Sublime beauty of the everyday

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