Lucinda's Art Story

My Journey to Becoming an Artist

Since childhood, my heart has whispered a singular dream : to become a celebrated artist. The desire to be an artist has been an integral part of who I am, a dream inspired by my father. He nurtured my passion and encouraged me to see with an artist’s eye.  I began my journey at what was then known as East Sydney Tech, now the National Art School (NAS). When I was fortunate enough to be accepted into NAS at just 15, it felt like a dream come true. The next five years were a deep dive into the art world, where I immersed myself in creativity, technique, and artistic theory, shaping my identity as an artist.

Upon graduation, my family relocated to the Gold Coast, and I was eager to continue my artistic journey by exhibiting my work in this new environment. I approached a local gallery with high hopes, but the experience was disheartening. The owner delivered a harsh critique, bluntly stating that I had no talent and suggesting I seek a different career. This moment shattered my dreams and led me to abandon my artistic ambitions for many years, during which I drifted from one unrewarding job to another.

However, life has a way of guiding us back to our true passions. After years of soul-searching and with the unwavering support of friends and loved ones, I decided to re-enter the art world. This time, I approached it with a newfound resilience, maturity, and determination to succeed. I embraced the challenge, armed with the lessons learned from my past.

  My Artistic Practice Today

Today, I find joy in the small things—like being a dedicated cloud watcher and indulging my addiction to art supplies. There’s something meditative about watching paint dry, and you’ll often find me in my studio, where I immerse myself in my work from around 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. I’m driven to make up for the lost time I experienced earlier in my career, which fuels my prolific output. A friend once remarked, “too many paintings, not enough time,” and those words resonate deeply with me as I strive to create as much as possible.

While I sometimes explore other mediums, oil paint remains my favorite. My work often delves into introspective themes, reflecting fundamental truths about ourselves and our world, and the intricate relationship between the two. Inspiration manifests in myriad ways—whether it’s the beauty of a landscape, the rhythm of sound, or the power of the written word.

Landscapes are my preferred genre, yet I continually experiment, pushing the boundaries of my techniques and materials. Mark-making, drawing, and abstract shapes play a significant role in my process, allowing me to react instinctively to my surroundings without a fixed idea of the outcome. This spontaneity often leads to surprising results, infusing my work with vitality and emotion.

  Exhibitions and Recognition

Throughout the years, I have had the privilege of exhibiting widely, including several solo exhibitions on the Gold Coast and in Melbourne. My artworks have found homes in private collections across England, Spain, and the United States. In Australia, my pieces are displayed in notable public spaces, including Parliament House and The Treasury in Canberra, as well as the Gold Coast Council Public Library and Gold Coast Marine Rescue.

Recent highlights in my career came through Art Lovers, when two of my works were featured in the Netflix movie True Spirit. Followed by a spot on Dream Home, a channel 7 renovation show. In 2025 four of my pieces appeared on Selling Houses Australia.  This exposure has been a fantastic opportunity, further connecting my art with a wider audience. 

I am proud to be represented by several online galleries.  This year in 2025,  Art  Lovers – as one of their Top Artists and Bluethumb recognised me as one of their 50 Top Artists and a Rising Star in 2024. Recently, Charleston Fine Art Auctions have invited me to be represented by them and exclusive pieces are available at their Fine Art Auctions.  I have established a partnership with Mobile Framing, who not only frame my work but also provide a personalized hanging service. This collaboration allows me to ensure that my art is presented in the best possible light, enhancing the experience for viewers.

  And Now …….

My journey as an artist has been one of resilience, growth, and unwavering passion. Each painting is a reflection of my experiences, my explorations, and my desire to connect with the world around me. There is a story, often deeply personal, behind every piece that I produce, infused with emotion and intention—each brushstroke a testament to moments lived, lessons learned, and the vibrant tapestry of life as I see it. I believe that art is not just a visual experience but a profound dialogue that transcends words, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the narratives woven into the colours and forms captured on the canvas.

In every creation, I strive to convey the deeper truths that resonate within us all—the struggles, triumphs, hopes, and dreams that define our human experience. It is this commitment to authenticity that fuels my creative process; I want my art to serve as a bridge, connecting me to others while also illuminating shared sentiments and fostering understanding. As I continue to create and evolve, I remain committed to embracing every opportunity to share my art and inspire others on their own journeys. Through exhibitions, workshops, and communal endeavors, I seek not only to display my work but to engage in meaningful conversations that inspire reflection and provoke thought.

For me, painting is not just an artistic pursuit—it’s a language of connection, memory, and emotion. My practice centres on the landscape, particularly the sky, clouds, and trees—elements that have spoken to me for as long as I can remember. There’s something eternal about them, something that transcends time, and in that quiet permanence I find endless inspiration.

As a child, I would watch my father paint. He treated nature with such reverence—his skies were full of softness and awe, his trees solid and rooted, like they knew something we didn’t. I absorbed those moments without fully understanding them, but they took root in me. I was accepted into the National Art School at 15, driven by a raw passion to create, but life—as it often does—pulled me away from art for a long time. That pause, however, became part of the rhythm of my story. Returning to painting later in life has been both a rediscovery and a reconnection, not only with the canvas but with myself.

Now, my practice is prolific, intuitive, and deeply emotional. I paint in oils because they allow for movement and layering, for depth and softness all at once. There’s a meditative rhythm to working this way. Often, I don’t begin with a fixed idea—rather, I let the work emerge. It’s about capturing a feeling more than replicating a scene. The clouds shift, the light changes, the trees lean in different directions—just as we do in life. I’m drawn to those transitions, the stillness between moments, the beauty in not knowing.

My recent body of work, Force of Nature,  has been a significant step forward for me, both creatively and personally. It’s a collection that weaves together memory, nature, and a rekindled romance with the act of painting itself. The exhibition is a homage—to the landscape, to the artistic path, and to all the quiet stories we carry within us. Showing it at Art Lovers Australia Gallery in Collingwood feels like a grounding moment—placing these works in a space where others can stand before them and, hopefully, feel something resonate.

Looking ahead, I feel an increasing pull toward stillness and sincerity in my work. I want to explore more deeply the emotional landscapes within natural ones. Perhaps that means larger canvases, perhaps more abstraction. I’m not entirely sure yet, but I’m learning to trust that uncertainty. What matters is that I keep showing up—with openness, with reverence, and with the same quiet wonder I felt as a child watching the sky.

There’s no final destination in art, only the next honest expression. And for me, that means continuing to follow the light, the movement of clouds, the strength of trees, and the stories they help me tell.

           Latest news – Interview with Artist Close Up Magazine November 1, 2024