March 3rd, 2023Artists of the Central Highlands …
with Eve Lamb
Creswick’s Lyn Cooke has established herself as one of Victoria’s leading wildlife artists. Her work is admired for its detail and beauty as she challenges herself to capture not just the physical appearance
of her subjects but also their intrinsic nature – or “jizz” as the birdos call it. Here this talented local artist shares some insights into her love of portraying our exquisite native wildlife.
Eve: How do you prefer to describe your artistic style?
Lyn: Realism, in that I attempt to represent the natural world in a detailed and accurate manner. I don’t always succeed, but at least my subjects generally have the appropriate number of eyes or legs.
Eve: How did you come to art?
Lyn: In common with many artists, I have had an enthusiasm for drawing ever since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I am largely self-taught.
Eve: Which artists have influenced your own work?
Lyn: Too many to list, but I will mention Ray Harris Ching and William Cooper. There is a long tradition of wildlife art in Australia beginning with the illustrations of Lewin and the Goulds, and continuing until the present day.
Eve: What is your media of choice?
Lyn: After sketching my main subject matter, backgrounds are usually done with an airbrush and pigmented inks. Watercolour paint is then applied, often combined with gouache (an opaque water based medium). Detail is gradually built up using very fine brushwork and a lot of patience.
Eve: What is your subject matter of choice? Why so?
Lyn: I am known for my wildlife paintings. This is a consequence of my interest in natural history. Nature offers a vast range of subject matter and inspiration. Australian fauna, particularly our beautiful and varied birdlife, is my preferred subject matter.
Eve: Have you ever worked in any other area besides art?
Lyn: I was a primary teacher for a couple of decades, but I think I survived largely unscathed.
Eve: To date, what have been your career highlights as an artist?
Lyn: Finding that I could make a living from my art was a major achievement. I’ve always been passionate about not starving to death.
Eve: Do you have any exhibitions or special events coming up?
Lyn: My studio is open most days by appointment and work can also be seen at Overwrought, Blampied. Other exhibitions and contact details can be found on my website www.lyncooke.com
Eve: What do you think are the main challenges for practicing artists today? And the main rewards?
Lyn: Art allows me to share the beauty of our natural environment and, hopefully, help people to appreciate its beauty and the need to preserve it. On a personal level, it is a creative, absorbing and relaxing activity – when things are going well. I don’t know how an artist retires: old artists never die; they just draw flies.
