Doreen Shaw

About Doreen Shaw

Doreen Anne Shaw

Growing up in Balmain and Drummoyne, Sydney, drawing was always a favourite past-time. Prior to marriage I studied with Professor Bissietta’s Art School in Pitt St, Sydney for several years while engaged in a secretarial career. After marriage and living in Northmead for twelve years, I moved to Wollongong with my husband and 3 children in the mid 70’s. I took up part-time studies at TAFE Wollongong Art School and completed the Art Certificate in 1979, followed by Post-Certificate studies and numerous workshops over the years.

In 1987 I was accepted as a member of the Australian Miniature Art Society. From 1988 I was actively engaged in the running of an Artists Co-operative at Gallery 188, The Mall, Wollongong for 13 years holding the position of President for 3 years. Exhibiting and competing in Australia and USA since 1980, my work has received a number of awards and been included in several public collections as well as private collections in the UK, USA, Japan, Canada and Australia.

In 1992 I toured overseas to Europe and Britain. In 1996 I toured Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Turkey and Greece and also that year painted in Spain with artist Ross Davis in Majorca. I travelled through Canada and saw the East and West Coasts of America in 1997. In the year 2000 I visited Tokyo, Japan and Copenhagen, Denmark and toured Ireland extensively.

Design and composition are important elements in my work. I work in Gouache, transparent watercolour, mixed media and mono-printing and at times all together. I am generally motivated by the play of light on everyday things, endeavouring to capture “fleeting” moments and intimate subjects. Gouache is currently my preferred medium, however, the unpredictability of transparent water colour I find fascinating and when experimenting and exploring with mixed media I discover that the boundaries are limitless and there are always new ‘doors’ to open which never fails to excite me.

Awards. 2006 Sydney Royal Easter Show, 2nd Prize. Figurative.

Group Exhibitions. 2006 Camden Fine Art “A Piece of History”

Solo Exhibitions. 2005 Camden Fine Art “Light and Life”.