My Life and My Work
I am an artist and writer, British born and educated at Ealing Modern School in London. I studied, amongst other subjects, English literature and art which sewed the seeds for what would become a lifelong passion. It was not until 1970, after moving to Australia, that I began to satisfy my artistic desire when I first started porcelain on-glaze painting using mineral oxide paint, a style which soon became my forte. Within six months I had bought a kiln, and I embarked on an extensive series of courses over the following years in grounding, gold and silver guilding, lustres, raised paste and pen work.
In 1980 I began to offer my art through a number of major outlets, initially the Fine Art Department of the Myers city store followed by David Jones, Grace Brothers, The International Airport, Micawbers Antiques Sydney, Bourkes Hilton Hotel, Roseville Gallery and Toowoon Bay Gallery. I have also displayed at mixed exhibitions in various galleries around Sydney.
Over the years my painting styles have expanded to include oil, pastel and watercolour however my ceramic work is always in the forefront, with teaching and seminars now being introduced.
I am a member of the Society of Authors and also a member of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists, UK. My writing includes articles and poems published in This England, Evergreen and the Radio ABC Pot Pourri of Poems, as well as short stories in the Fellowship of Australia Anthology.
The "Happy Paintings" series are a quest to make people smile. All of these works are in oil paint, and some have also been featured on ceramics. My hope is that they will be taken up for the production of cards in some fashion.
My Book
A desire to encourage students to start porcelain painting inspired me to write "The Complete Guide to Painting and Decorating Porcelain", opening a new window for readers into the enthralling world of art.
After acceptance of the manuscript in 2008 a contract was signed giving the publisher exclusive rights to sell the work throughout the English speaking world. The book was published in London and Australia in 2009.
Links to the publisher, and other websites, can be found here.
I also have a number of other manuscripts which are available for publication, details of which are here.
Patricia Newell-Dunkley
June 2011
