Bio May 2024
Rhoda is a Western Australian artist who strives to form a bridge between figuration and abstraction, particularly in relationship to the human form. In 2015 she graduated from Curtin University with an honours degree in fine art. Born in Scotland, she moved to Australia with her family in 2001. Having spent many years as a registered Nurse and Midwife it was not until later in life that she commenced her artistic endeavours. Since graduating university she has maintained an ongoing dialogue with the history of art, particularly, in relationship to painting. Studying art to honours level fostered an interest in how the past relates to the present and the continuum of painting. This dialogue with the past and with the history of western painting is an important part of her practice.
Her practice is an exploration of the expressive qualities of light which involves painting and drawing, much of which is done from life and live models. Her work employs traditional painting techniques such as chiaroscuro, glazing and sfumato along with more contemporary, a la prima, painting techniques and the use of pastels.
She has travelled extensively around Europe observing the works of the great masters and participated in painting and drawing courses in Italy. This has heavily influenced her work. She has developed her figurative painting and drawing skills by hours spent in the studio and painting and drawing from life and live models. She is involved in the Perth life drawing scene and the runs various painting and drawing groups.