Ann Staunton

I didn’t start to paint until after my 40th birthday when a friend encouraged me to do something “for myself”, rather than just looking after my husband and four children. I had always loved drawing, and thought that it would be nice to be able to paint.

My nana had painted when she was young, and had even offered to pay for me to have art lessons, but back in those days (1950’s) we had no idea where to go for art lessons. (No TAFE, no Google!)

In 1987, I started art lessons at TAFE with Ann Fuss, and learned the basics of composition, color etc. using mainly acrylics. About that time I joined the Port Lincoln Art Group and have been a member ever since, apart from a 15 year hiatus when I was working full time.

I have experimented with pastel , watercolour and oils, but find acrylics work best for me. They are very forgiving and easy to use. (And they don’t smell!)

I don’t have a favourite subject and like to try different things—seascapes, landscapes, birds, fish, flowers—whatever inspires me at the time. Trying new styles and techniques is fun also and being a member of the Art Group has enabled this, with regular workshops from a variety of artists, both local and “imported”.

Painting is both a frustrating and relaxing pastime. Frustrating when it doesn’t work as well as envisioned, but rewarding when it works out. And it’s a great way to escape from the world mentally, by concentrating totally on the work in hand.

I hope to continue painting for many years to come and would encourage anyone who has thought about trying it, to “have a go”.