About the Artist

Maureen Hales

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Maureen Hales Benjella Studio & Gallery Traditional and Contemporary Art

I live in Port Macquarie on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW, a far cry from my early childhood days growing up as a bare-footed school girl at a tiny country school west of Sydney. 

Having a love for art from an early age I went on to study Art and Design at the National Art School in Darlinghurst, Sydney, then moved on to work as a freelance graphic designer in Sydney, London, and Rhodesia.

Family life and business led me away from my art for many years and only in recent years have I returned to my real passion.

Life is a journey always moving forward, and the last few years have seen a move from my portraits to works on canvas. Living in Port Macquarie, surrounded by many beautiful unspoiled beaches and magnificent coastline, provides me with endless inspiration. 

My works aim to capture the light and sunshine of this magical area. You will often spot me wandering the local beaches early in the morning, camera in hand. More recently, my works have a more contemporary approach. With many of these works you will see a new colour palette. My aim remains the same, to capture the light and magic of the moment.

Artist Statement


My purpose-built studio overlooks my tranquil natural garden; a haven for birdlife. Magpies, butcherbirds and bowerbirds entertain me with their songs and my chickens wander by my studio door to say hello and check on my progress.

Painting has become my passion as well as my relaxation. My inspiration is fuelled by this magical part of The Mid North Coast which has been my home for almost 40 years. I think I can now be classed as 'A Local'. I aim to capture that magic in my work with each piece providing it's own unique story and journey to share with my audience.

I work mainly in acrylics on large wrapped canvases. My Style has moved from quite traditional to more contemporary with my Graphic Design background ever present. A sense of order and balance easily identified in each piece.

Achievements

  • Boudoir Exhibition Quality Sails Resort 2010, 2011
  • Finalist Northern Exposures Exhibition, Glasshouse Nov. 2010
  • Solo Gallery Exhibition 2010, 2011
  • ‘Take Something Beautiful’ Exhibition Macleay Valley Gallery 2012
  • Hastings Art Trail exhibition Gladstone Gallery 2012
  • Solo Exhibition & Spring Garden Party 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Finalist Northern Exposures Exhibition, Glasshouse Nov. 2013
  • ‘Coastal Synergy’ Solo Exhibition Macleay Valley Art Gallery May 2014
  • Winter Garden Party & Exhibition July 2014
  • Artist of the month’ Mastercraft Gallery July 2014
  •  'Summer 15' Solo Exhibition Macleay Valley Art Gallery January 2015
  • Summer Garden Party & Solo Exhibition October 2015
  • Finalist Pathways to Abstraction Glasshouse Regional Gallery Feb, March 2016
  • 'Land 2 Sea' Solo Exhibition Macleay Valley Community Art Gallery April 2016

  • Coastal treasures' Solo Exhibition, Hidden Treasures Gallery May/June 2016
  • Spring Garden Party & Solo Exhibition October 2016
  • Summer 17 Solo Exhibition Jan 3rd to 22nd 2017
  • First place Summer Showcase Exhibition, Oil and Acrylic section, Jan 2017
  • First place Lakeside Festival Exhibition 2017, Open section. Nov. 2017
  • Finalist Jailhouse to Glasshouse Exhibition. Glasshouse Regional Gallery, May - July 2018
  • Finalist Northern 5 Exposures. Glasshouse Regional Gallery, July - September 2018
  • Open Gallery & Solo exhibition October 2018
  • 'Concepts to Canvas' Solo Exhibition Macleay Valley Art Gallery November 2018
  • First Place Mid North Coast Art Prize... Oil & Acrylic painting .. Jan 2019
  • First place Mid North Coast Art Prize... Mixed Media .. Jan 2019
  • Finalist Northern Exposures 6, Glasshouse Regional Gallery, 2020
  • Open Gallery & Solo Exhibition November 2020.

Exhibitions

upcoming and past

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