Acclaimed local artists David Taylor, Diana Edwards and Tom Tyrrell have again combined their talents to present another very special exhibition over the month of January, at the Iluka Studio Gallery in Silverleaves.
Titled “Special Moments” the exhibition features a selection of paintings by the trio … from the local area and some from beyond.
It follows their highly successful January 2021 exhibition “Lighter Moments” so named after a difficult year in 2020 for the community during the first Covid lockdown, with in excess of 100 paintings showcased by the trio.

Again this year, a magnificent painting to raffle has been donated by David.
Proceeds will go to the Bass Coast Health Phillip Island Urgent Care Centre and Health Hub, in recognition of the work they have done throughout Covid.
At the exhibition, both framed and unframed paintings will be for sale.

“We wanted to give people the opportunity to buy without spending money on expensive frames. And it will be particularly convenient for travellers,” David says.
The trio stress that everyone is invited to the exhibition, to come in and browse and enjoy the art work on display.
There’s seating outside and a shady garden, with plenty of space for visitors to sit and ponder and enjoy.

Realist impressionism

The three artists say their work is “realist impressionism”, describing themselves as “plein air painters”, who sketch or paint outside in the landscape.
The majority of the exhibits are from within the island or the Bass Coast area and Gippsland, although there will be some from further afield.
David, Tom and Diana often go out together to paint.

“This is such a wonderful island and we continue to discover some wonderful sites here and across Gippsland,” says David.
“It’s like a breath of fresh air for us when we find a great new place.”

Diana never tires of painting on the island, and as well as continuing to give art classes outside lockdown, has painted both en plein-air (on site) and in the studio throughout 2021.
She qualified for Artist of the Year entry at the Australian Guild of Realist Artists this year, but because of Covid, judging has been postponed until March 2022.
She was also invited by the Australian Watercolour Institute to exhibit in Sydney, but this exhibition has also been postponed because of the pandemic.
She considers herself lucky however to have a spacious studio where she can continue her work irrespective of the world around her.

David has had to adapt his teaching methods this year, switching to remote learning, and started What’s App online classes for his students.
These have proved to be extremely popular, and local class members have been joined by people from America, Mexico, India and Asia.
“It’s kept me very busy,” he comments, “and it is all done over the phone.”
He was also recently named the winner of the IFAM Malaysian International Outstanding Art Award.
This prestigious and major art competition attracted entries from 63 countries across the world.

Tom has completed a round Australia trip this year, so he will have some diverse and interesting sites on exhibition, alongside the popular island landscapes he is famous for.
The “Special Moments” exhibition runs from January 2– 31 and is open 10am to 4.30pm daily.
Most paintings can be taken home at the time of purchase.
Greeting cards featuring a selection of prints from the exhibition are also for sale individually and in sets.

Raffle tickets will be for sale at the Iluka Studio Gallery throughout the exhibition. Tickets are $5 each or three for $10. They are also available at the Phillip Island Urgent Care Centre and Health Hub in Church Street Cowes.

The raffle will be drawn on Sunday, January 30 at 3pm./ Sponsored article /