Meet Laurie Astill ...
In his early years Laurie attended Virginia State School and Banyo State High School where he showed a talent for art and subsequently won the regional art award for both schools. At that time an art career was frowned upon and a position in the public service was the order of the day.
With encouragement from his parents in 1974, Laurie attended Saturday afternoon art classes conducted by June Harvey who had held a teaching position at Monash University, Melbourne. June had studied under Max Meldrum and her knowledge of tonal values and objective vision were to play an important part in Laurie’s artistic development. June’s legacy is evident in his paintings today.
During the 70’s, Laurie’s travels took him to the Far East, Pacific Islands, NZ, England and the Continent and was inspired by the great art works exhibited in the various galleries in those countries.
In 1983 he married Anna and they had their first born child Adam in 1987 and their daughter Megan in 1991. By mid 1992 Laurie and Anna reversed roles and Laurie became ‘Mr Mum’ for the 2 children, especially Adam who had special needs and he passed away in June 2005.
While juggling the role of ‘Mr Mum’ and involvement with school P&C committees, Laurie was contracted to paint large murals for ABC television and various State Schools. In 1997 Laurie experimented with other mediums and received a Graduate Certificate in Architectural Ceramics and Sculpture from the Gateway Institute of Tafe, Eagle Farm. After June 2005, Anna encouraged Laurie to get back into his fine art and in 2007 he completed 2 semesters in acrylic painting at the Brisbane Institute of Art. He has since continued painting in this medium although his early works were oils and water colour.
In 2009 Laurie and Anna settled in Stanthorpe and he worked towards a portrait of his daughter Megan for her 18th Birthday in August that year. With her permission Laurie entered this painting into the Southern Downs Regional Art Exhibition Nov/Dec 2009 and won the combined gallery prize. In September 2009 Laurie sustained an injury to his right arm and shoulder prohibiting his painting until February 2010 after extensive physio. He did however volunteer in a community project along with other artists and the Stanthorpe State School, creating large bamboo and paper sculptures. These illuminated sculptures were used in the night lantern parade for the Apple and Grape Festival on the 6th March 2010.
Since then he has had an exhibition (Artist of the Month) at Lorenza’s coffee lounge in Stanthorpe July 2010 and is currently working on a series of paintings towards ‘A case of Art in the Mill’. This certainly is an honour and Laurie is looking forward to the event.
Laurie won the ‘Champion’ Art Prize in the Stanthorpe Agricultural Show this year 2011 and this has been a great encouragement for his efforts towards 'Art in the Mill'.
With encouragement from his parents in 1974, Laurie attended Saturday afternoon art classes conducted by June Harvey who had held a teaching position at Monash University, Melbourne. June had studied under Max Meldrum and her knowledge of tonal values and objective vision were to play an important part in Laurie’s artistic development. June’s legacy is evident in his paintings today.
During the 70’s, Laurie’s travels took him to the Far East, Pacific Islands, NZ, England and the Continent and was inspired by the great art works exhibited in the various galleries in those countries.
In 1983 he married Anna and they had their first born child Adam in 1987 and their daughter Megan in 1991. By mid 1992 Laurie and Anna reversed roles and Laurie became ‘Mr Mum’ for the 2 children, especially Adam who had special needs and he passed away in June 2005.
While juggling the role of ‘Mr Mum’ and involvement with school P&C committees, Laurie was contracted to paint large murals for ABC television and various State Schools. In 1997 Laurie experimented with other mediums and received a Graduate Certificate in Architectural Ceramics and Sculpture from the Gateway Institute of Tafe, Eagle Farm. After June 2005, Anna encouraged Laurie to get back into his fine art and in 2007 he completed 2 semesters in acrylic painting at the Brisbane Institute of Art. He has since continued painting in this medium although his early works were oils and water colour.
In 2009 Laurie and Anna settled in Stanthorpe and he worked towards a portrait of his daughter Megan for her 18th Birthday in August that year. With her permission Laurie entered this painting into the Southern Downs Regional Art Exhibition Nov/Dec 2009 and won the combined gallery prize. In September 2009 Laurie sustained an injury to his right arm and shoulder prohibiting his painting until February 2010 after extensive physio. He did however volunteer in a community project along with other artists and the Stanthorpe State School, creating large bamboo and paper sculptures. These illuminated sculptures were used in the night lantern parade for the Apple and Grape Festival on the 6th March 2010.
Since then he has had an exhibition (Artist of the Month) at Lorenza’s coffee lounge in Stanthorpe July 2010 and is currently working on a series of paintings towards ‘A case of Art in the Mill’. This certainly is an honour and Laurie is looking forward to the event.
Laurie won the ‘Champion’ Art Prize in the Stanthorpe Agricultural Show this year 2011 and this has been a great encouragement for his efforts towards 'Art in the Mill'.
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