SWAN Hill painter Paula Starrs is gaining attention for her Mallee-inspired landscape artworks both at home and across the country.
COVID restrictions pushed Mrs Starrs to begin painting full time at her home studio in Swan Hill, posting on Instagram and TikTok to gain traction for her art.
One of her pieces recently raised $21,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia at an Australian Wagyu Association gala dinner and charity auction.
“Who would have thought that I would be flown out to Perth to paint live for three days in front of Australian and international wagyu beef producers when I started posting my art on Instagram,” she said.
“I painted a country scene of Pardoo Station in the Pilbarra and it sold for $42,000, half of which also went to an industry fellowship.
“I chose that scene because I liked the colours and composition, and the woman in the painting ended up being at the gala and was quite emotional when she saw it because the horse she is riding recently passed.”
Mrs Starrs is also the latest artist to loan her pieces to the Swan Hill District Health maternity ward, in a new initiative to brighten up the space.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea – the ward gets fresh art on the wall and supports local artists to get out their work seen,” she said.
“I had done some of the local landscape and did up the painting of the flowers especially when they approached me.
“I love the colours of the Mallee landscape and the Murray River.
“The maternity team are so supportive and this is a great avenue to showcase your art, so if you’re an artist reach out to lend your artwork.”
As a mother herself, she knows the value of a welcoming maternity ward.
“Anything that makes you feel at home helps,” she said.
Maternity unit manager Leonie Gilbert said the art has enlivened the ward after renovations finished in February last year.
“We had a very stark white hospital environment, not exactly a warm and happy maternity atmosphere, so we reached out to artist Julie Duffus who lent us her art for about six months,” she said.
“From there we have been really lucky that other have come on board since then, and we have had really positive comments.
“It’s incredibly generous for the artists to lend us their art and trust us to look after it, and we’re so lucky to do so.”
Mrs Starrs encourages other artists to loan their art to the maternity ward by emailing Ms Gilbert at lgilbert@shdh.org.au.
Mrs Starrs’ artwork can be found on Instagram at paula.starrs.
