A collection of new, latest/recent art works/oil paintings by Leonie Walton, a visual artist from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. These may include paintings from recent exhibitions which are for sale unless otherwise stated. The series of paintings may include landscapes, still lifes or figurative images painted partially or fully from life.
New illustrations for children’s books. The first children’s book in this series is complete. A mythological adventure-thriller, middle grade novel, set in Galicia, Spain. A farm girl, Lucia, is the main character for this adventure and she will be the centre of all the upcoming books in the series.
My illustration process has begun. Here are a few samples of what is to come….
Meet LuciaWho does Lucia meet?Iberian frogMythological beast or beauty?Iberian lynx
After completing courses with amazing Spanish illustrators such as: Adolfo Serra, Ricardo Suarez and Jilipollo, who create illustrations for children’s books and comics. I have great admiration for their art and skills. I am enjoying creating characters from my imagination that look realistic; suitable illustrations for older children’s books that 6-12 year olds can relate to.
Learning the writing process has been the most enjoyable experience of my life. Participating in the recent Festival of Writing in London has been a winner in bringing creativity into my storytelling. My favourite author is Tim Winton (Australian) for his delicious descriptions of nature.
The aim of my children’s books is to enhance children’s connection with nature, while allowing a cultural sharing among children around the world.
A collection of new works after returning to the Sunshine Coast, still referencing my pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago in 2017, including a few remaining paintings from my exhibition in Santiago de Compostela in 2018. I have also begun a collection which will express my love of the local surrounding Australian bush.
EXHIBITION:‘Postcards from the Camino’ A collection of 20 paintings being exhibited from my studio/gallery opening 21 July, 2019 until 29 July 2019. Now the exhibition is complete, the remaining paintings below which are not marked as sold will still be on display in my studio/gallery. For private viewings any day, please call to let me know you are coming: 0419 745 672
Address: 57a Gweneth Road, Peregian Beach, Qld.
EXHIBITION CATALOGUE
‘blooming banksias’, oil & oil sticks on ply board, 40x30cm, timber frame inc‘Rocky path’, Bald Rock NP, Girraween, NSW, 60 x 82 cm, oils on paper, timber frame, glass & mat, SOLD‘Winter’s mirror’ Bald Rock National Park, NSW, oils on canvas, 90 x 45 cm‘Summer gums’, Lake Weyba, Sunshine Coast, 60 x 40 cm, oils & oil bars on ply board, inc floating frame‘pilgrimage’, oils & oil sticks on ply board, 40x30cm, floating frame inc, SOLD‘Reflections 2’, oils & oil bars on ply board, 60 x 80cm, including floating frame.‘Golden Fields’, oils & oil bars on ply board, 60 x 80 cm, including floating frame.‘Sierra Nevada’, oils & oil bars on ply board, 60 x 80cm, including floating frame.‘my awakening’ oils & oil sticks on ply board, 30x40cm, timber frame inc. SOLD‘reflections’ oils & oil sticks on ply board, 30x40cm, timber frame inc.‘Path of poppies’, 30 x 40 cm, oils & oil bars on ply board, including timber frame‘favourite tree’ oils & oil sticks on ply board, 30x40cm, timber frame inc.‘family of sheep’ oils & oil sticks on ply board, 30x40cm, timber frame inc.‘winter vines, Cambados Rias Baixas’, oils on canvas, 70x100cm‘shell-fisher women (mariscadoras), Cambados’, oils on canvas, 80x100cm‘summer vines, Cambados’, oils & oil sticks on ply board, 60 x 80cm, floating frame inc. SOLD‘spring vines, Cambados Rias Baixas’, oils & oil sticks on ply board 60x80cm, floating frame inc. SOLD‘misty summer sunrise, Tanquian Galicia’, oils on canvas, 70×100. SOLD‘Santiago sunset’, 75 x 75 cm, oils on canvas, 2019. SOLD
Hola,
I am Leonie Walton, an Artist from Australia travelling for 6 months in Galicia, Spain. Here, I will be creating a series of paintings celebrating the unique culture and beauty of the region, which will be exhibited in Santiago de Compostela (home of the Camino de Santiago) in September 2018.
I have been painting for 15 years in between work and being a mother. Last year I was able to retire from my previous work and take an exciting step towards following my passion for painting and becoming a full time artist. Without any expectations, I began an 800 km Pilgrimage across Northern Spain, seeking solitude and a new direction for my art. The immense beauty of the Spanish countryside and forests were overwhelming. As each day and then each week passed, my awareness of time diminished to the point where I didn’t know what day of the week or how many days I had been walking. I did notice that I had all the time in the world to just walk and observe nature, an artist’s dream. It was such a privilege, I promised myself that I would never allow my life to become so busy that I couldn’t spend time appreciating the creation of life.
When I returned home, I had renewed enthusiasm for my painting and soon created these paintings below. They are two of my favourite memories of the Camino de Santiago.
Wheat Fields Oils on canvas
Lazy Days Oils on canvas
I decided during my walking that I would return to Northern Spain and just paint!
Now here I am, back in Galicia living my dream as an artist. My intention is to take you on an incredible journey through one of the most beautiful regions in the world. I will introduce you to some of the locals, giving you interesting insights into their culture, food, history in the land of witches and myths……………but are they??
CAMBADOS
My first home in Galicia is in the small fishing town of Cambados with a population of only 14,000, in the Rias Baixas. With a history which may have begun in prehistoric times and ruins throughout Cambados dating from the 12th century, there will be many places of interest for me to visit.
So far it has rained every day since arriving in Galicia and today was no exception, with the addition of gale force winds. Before having a chance to investigate any historical sites, the sounds of 100 women chatting excitedly grabbed my attention outside. Quickly donning my raincoat (my seventh layer), I braved the weather to see what all the excitement was about. In the harbour, women were gathering in waders, wetsuits and coats, pushing baskets on trolleys towards the water. Most were talking like you would expect from any other group of women in the world. However, I will never forget the look of dread of one young woman as she was pulling her coat on tightly. These women are called “Mariscadoras” (shell- fisherwomen). Every day at low tide, they trudge out as far as the eye can see to collect shell fish in their baskets.
Artist reference photo for painting Mariscadoras
Later I strolled out over the long walking bridge to get a closer look at the action. I felt so privileged to be witnessing such an event, even though for them it was their daily job. I felt so much admiration for these women, facing the wildness of the Atlantic Ocean, working together for a common goal. I would never have the courage and strength to do this! How will I ever capture these incredible women in a painting?
After only two days of exploring in and around Cambados, I knew, being an artist, I needed to stay here for 6 years…..not 6 months, to even scratch the surface of a region so rich in culture.
