Narissa Butler was born in 1969 in Mackay, Queensland, Australia. Her first Girl painting appeared in 2002, which was inspired by a photograph of her Mother as a child. She was taken with the innocence and awkwardness of the shot and intrigued as to what was going on behind that smile. She began with simple poses and colour in what she would describe as naive in expression and perhaps even graphic in style. Narissa's paintings are mostly stark images amidst plenty of contemplative space with little context to detract from their direct and questioning gaze. Every girl she paints resonates with her on an emotional level. To her they express a sense of longing, of nostalgia, of something missing, and yet there is room aplenty for individual interpretation.

When the first Girl paintings appeared the response to them was overwhelming. Six years later and Narissa feels as though she is only beginning to reproduce the images she has in her head. As the Girls continue to grow and change from the earlier series, she has slowly incorporated small accompaniments such as butterflies and birds or chairs, and much to her delight they are still being received with much warmth and affection.

Exhibitions:

• Art with Heart Exhibition Melbourne 2002
• Art with Heart Exhibition Melbourne 2003
• Art with Heart Exhibition Melbourne 2004
• Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Art Exhibition 2006
• Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Art Exhibition 2007

• Image of ‘Two a Day’ used for annual OVCA National Awareness Day Event
• Image of ‘Idyll’ used to promote Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School 2007 Art Exhibition
• Image used in Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School Calender 2007
• Work Featured in Home Beautiful Australia February 2008

Current and future exhibition details:

• Feb 2008 Paintings currently exhibited at Nexus Modern Art, South Melbourne www.nexusmodernart.com.au
• April 2008 Art Melbourne 08 Event at the Royal Exhibition Building, 18–20 April www.artmelbourne08.com.au
• May 2008 Manyung Gallery, May 2008 www.manyunggallery.com.au

For more on Narissa Butler see http://www.narissabutler.com