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Bronze Portrait commission

I had the lovely privilege to be commissioned to create a bronze bust of an older gentleman, a retired doctor on the Gold Coast. He sat for me for several 3 hour sittings and I worked up the sculpture in oil based clay.

The resultant portrait was then taken to Chalkos Fine Art Foundry and the long process of going to bronze. I was very happy with the results as were the clients.

  • a few sketches to begin
  • armature
  • pins to locate extremities
  • blocking in
  • roughly placing features
  • client patiently sitting
  • not easy to remain still
  • slowly refining
  • first layer silcone
  • mold made and wax copy cast
  • ceramic shell mold
  • bronze molten
  • ready to pour
  • always exciting!
  • smashing off the ceramic shell
  • finishing
  • patination and waxing
  • bronze is seductive
  • and classic
  • happy client
  • champagne to celebrate
  • deb mostert 2020 bronze bust Dr Robert
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Public Art

a commission to make an isographic illustration of a map for a fantasy playground at Bradbury Park, Chermside by Brisbane City Council.

I also did a sculpture commission of a Bronze Boobook Owl on a Book as part of the narrative and for children to discover as they explore the Magic Forest.

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New Exhibition coming soon – Drawing to Dis/Possess

On Saturday August 8th I will be having two sessions in conversation with Jodi Ferrari (Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre) about my current project Drawing to Dis/Possess. NOTE!! these sessions postponed to future date due to COVID

At both of these sessions I will be drawing objects while we chat about the stories and value we place on things. There will be an exhibition of drawings, watercolours and oil paintings I have been making in recent times as I wrestle with my own consumption and collecting choices. We hope to reschedule these talks soon.

Drawing to Dis/Possess

 An experiment into how I might be able to dis/possess myself of material belongings.

I am making drawings, sketches, and paintings of things I have, but no longer need, in the hope that through the act of making an ‘iconic transfer’ I can rid myself of possessions.

Alongside, must be the equally vital act of not seeking to possess any more things. So, I am making drawings, sketches, and paintings of objects I covet, stuff I’d love to acquire, things that are tempting me but maybe don’t really need to own.

How do I manage my own collecting habits and be more vigorously present in my enjoyment of the objects I own or wish to own?

Is the act of drawing them enough? Can I be content to have enjoyed them, spent time with them, observing their aesthetic or functional beauty or reveling in their nostalgic blast?

Can I draw to dis/possess?

Dispossess Triang Trike 2020 watercolour 25 x 30 cm
Possess Flipper, Skippy and Lassie 2020 watercolour on paper 26 x 26 cm
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Artist in Residency

Just before Covid 19 restrictions started to mean that life was changing and teaching was going to be different, I was delighted to spend 2 days a week for 4 weeks at St Margaret’s Anglican girls school with grades 7, 8, 9 and 10 students as we worked through a variety of art projects around their themes of ‘soaring’. I hope to return at some stage and see where their investigations took them.

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Works selected for exhibitions

My artwork ‘Redemption Series Echidna’ was selected as a finalist in the 2020 John Villiers Outback Art Prize. The artwork will be exhibited in the finalist exhibition between the dates of 6th March to 8th May 2020 at the Outback Regional Gallery located within the Waltzing Matilda Centre, Winton. 

The gallery received a high number of entries from across Australia with 33 artists selected as finalists. Visiting guest judges were Henri Van Noordenberg and Lucy Culliton.

Sadly due to current circumstances this exhibition is closed.

Shark as Object was also selected as a finalist for the Muswellbrook Art Prize 2020.

This year they received 553 entries. After much deliberation by the selection panel 62 works were selected as finalists of the Prize. For the full list of finalists please visit the Muswellbrook Art Prize website.

This exhibition is also closed for now.