Carolyn Collins

I am a contemporary mixed media artist living and working in Berry, a small town on the South Coast of NSW Australia

I love to travel; I have a passion for plants and gardens, those I have owned, created and visited. The coastline of the Shoalhaven, its beaches and mangroves are special places for me along with the incredible Spirit of India and the magic of Japan.

You can see my Biography, Exhibition History and Art Education details below.

 

  • Carolyn Collins is an artist based in Berry NSW. She creates expressive, abstract artworks that reflect her background in textile art and her passion for exploring the places that shape and enrich her life. She is currently working on ‘Secret Gardens’ a series inspired by gardens as a place of sanctuary.

    Carolyn’s work draws on memories, emotions and experiences to capture the ‘echoes’ of place, rather than reality. She loves to work on paper with a process that combines layers drawing, collage, colour and texture to build depth and story.

    Since 2016, a weekly drawing class with Australian artist Linda Dening, alongside a series of programs offered by US Artist and coach Lisa Call, have been the key foundations of Carolyn’s ongoing art education and practice. (Ref: https://www.carolyncollinsart.com/art-blog).

    Carolyn has exhibited locally and in Sydney and her works are held in private collections. Carolyn publishes a regular art journal blog and newsletter.

  • UPCOMING EXHIBITION

    SHAC - Southern Highlands Artisan Collective, Hoddle Street, Robertson NSW Linda Balding & Carolyn Collins ‘Beyond the Print’ 27 February - 23 March 2025

    EXHIBITION HISTORY

    ‘Rhythm’ Gallery 371 Enmore Road Marrickville Circle of Five Exhibition Group 27 Sept - 9 November 2023

    The Space Gallery, Roseberry, Circle of Five Exhibition Group 1 - 12 February 2023

    Milk Factory Gallery Space - Pop-up Gallery 1 Bowral NSW Circle of Five Exhibition Group 4-21 November 2022

    Drawing Exhibitions Shoalhaven Regional Gallery Nowra NSW 2016 to 2023 -Annual exhibition by the students of Linda Dening

    Jing Jo’s Cafe and Gallery, Kangaroo Valley: Selected Group Shows 2016 to 2024

    Art Quilt Australia 2019 Finalist National Wool Museum

    Thread Stitch Cloth Finalist - November 2018 Embroiderers Guild of NSW Concord, NSW

    Art Quilt Australia 2017 Finalist (2 works selected) June 2017. Queen Victoria Art Gallery, Launceston Tasmania and Yarra Ranges Regional Art Museum Victoria

    Australia Wide 5 Finalist - Touring Exhibition 2016 -2018 Ozquilt Network Inc. Juried members show which tours Australia.

    Old Girl Artists Exhibition 31 August - 17 September 2016 Grace Cossington Smith Gallery, Sydney

  • ART EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

    Since 2016 I have participated in two ongoing art programs that are the foundations of my art learning and art practice.

    A weekly drawing class with Australian artist Linda Dening.

    This class has taught me the full range of drawing skills including elements and principles of design, observation skills, perspective and composition, working with a range of dry media - graphite, charcoal, pastel, pencil as well as ink and gouache and collage.

    A series of workshops with US Artist and coach Lisa Call (now based in NZ) designed to develop both the creative and art business aspects of an art practice.

    ‘Design Elements’ 2015

    ‘Working in a Series’ 2015/6

    ‘Greenhouse’ – developing the series 2016

    ‘Masterclass’ 2017

    ‘Incubator and Mastermind’ 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 continuing in 2025

    In 2016 I started working with textiles as my medium, and over the next four years learned about dyes, colour mixing, printing, using transparency, layering and applique(collage) through short workshops, experimentation and experience.

    With the arrival of COVID19 and increasing access to online learning opportunities with both international and Australian artists, I decided to push the boundaries of my work and move into mixed media by undertaking a series of workshops selected to build and refine my artistic process.

    These workshops included:—

    • Art2Life Creative Visionary Program - 12 Week intensive acrylic workshop with Nick Wilton USA 2021

    • Intuitive Composition - Pauline Jans Canada 2023- 8 Week program

    • Abstract Landscapes and Collage - Lewis Noble UK 2022

    • En Plein Air and Monoprinting – Ashley Frost Australia August 2023

    • Mixed Media ‘Poetry and Place’ Eva Kalien Germany 2024

    OTHER EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

    1974 BSc (Hons) Applied Science UNSW

    1975 - 1980 Various Corporate roles with :- National Australia Bank; Partnership Pacific;

    Esso Australia Ltd 1980 - 1992

    'Triulzi Collins Solutions' – Partner - consulting business 1992- 1996