Abbie is a Ballarat based artist who grew up in Daylesford, surrounded by the Australian bush. After discovering her love of oil painting at a young age, she has been captivated by exploring shape, colour, texture, light and space through painting. Her work is about being in the present moment, human connection and valuing our most basic senses.

Abbie holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts, Graduate Diploma of Education and Diploma of Small Companies and Community Theatre. She has taught both nationally and internationally, and she has work in Canada, Europe and Indonesia. Her love of travel has lead her to numerous artistic opportunities, including a month long residency in Indonesia, arts and performance teaching in Thailand and a position as set painter for a film in Ontario, Canada.

She is currently teaching performing arts at St Brigid’s in Ballan and painting in her home studio.

In 2018, Abbie presents her first solo exhibition of oil paintings, Escape,  from Oct 3 to Nov 11 in the Gallery Lounge at Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre.

After discovering her love of oil painting at a young age, Abbie has been captivated by exploring shape, colour, texture, light and space through painting. Circles and fractured landscapes make up this recent series of paintings.

“Each night, after I put my two daughters to bed, I paint. It takes me to another place within myself, I travel through painting and I find that it’s the most healthy and settling part of my day. This exhibition is a product of a time in my day where I focus, relax and escape.”

Read more about Abbie on her website.
Follow her on Instagram: @abbiematthewsart