DI KING BIOGRAPHY/CV
Di is an artist who thrives on variety and the creative challenges involved in painting different subjects. Her understanding of colour and form, and how these are influenced by the effect of varying light is truly impressive. Di's ability to capture light and movement shows in her paintings, from landscapes, seascapes and cattle drives to portraits, beautiful nude and draped figurative works. This versatility allows her to paint any subject fluently.
Di's love of the bush and all things Australian inspired her to join the "Cattlemen's Association of Victoria" and the "Victorian Working Draught Horse Association". There, her love of cattle drives, horsemen, river crossings and the High Country, along with her ploughing scenes, became synonymous with the art of Di King. Her paintings have always included the figure in one way or another. Di's figurative work is evocative and sensuous, from lovely young ladies draped in sheets or soft flowing fabric with moody back lighting, or dancers, to people in action -- on the beach,or in a bar/restaurant.
Di's thought process before actually putting paint to canvas, she said, is the most important key element in painting. It is very important to establish in her mind what design, shape, composition, temperature, colour and mood her paintings should take. Should it take the form of the classic S shape composition to lead the viewer into the painting, or a good strong line of triangles, which can create an interesting focal point within the painting? Light direction and colour balance are important to establish a sense of rhythm and harmony. From there, it is only the passion to paint the chosen subject.
In 2005, Di took on a challenge that for most would have been too daunting:- to paint nine prominent Australian Celebrities to raise funds for charity. This was a mammoth project, which took about eighteen months to complete. The celebrities were:-
Tommy Emmanuel, Julie Anthony, Hugh Jackman. Bruce Rowland, James Morrison, Rhonda Burchmore, Marina Prior, Graeham Goble and Peter Brocklehurst.
In 2007, Di also painted Geoffrey Rush and in 2009, painted Olivia Newton-John for another charity organization called "Chairs for Charity", in which the image of the celebrity was painted on the back of the chair and the celebrity signed the seat. These chairs were then auctioned.
Di has exhibited in London, Paris and New York and has had many solo and group exhibitions along with several publications.
She is a well known and respected artist with many awards and credits to her name.
Di is a past councillor and editor, as well as a Signatory Fellow of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists. She is also a member of the Portrait Artists Australia and the American Portrait Society.
Di's work can be seen at her home Gallery, Di King Gallery, Healesville........Seaview Gallery, Queenscliffe.
AWARDS and PUBLICATIONS
Major Prizes won:
2016/13/09 Jack Montgomery Award, Belgrave
2014 1st Prize Oil Belgrave
2014 Best in show, Mavis Hill award, Sherbrooke
2014 Best Fauna, Sherbrooke
2014 Peoples Choice Mansfield District Hospital Auxiliary
2014 1st Prize Grand Art Exhibition Cardinia
2013 1st Prize, Sir Gustav Nossal Award
2013 Finalist, Black Swan Art Prize
2012 Platinum Award. City of Victor Harbor
2012/11/06 Best Oil St.Kevins
2011 1st Prize Oil Wangaratta
2011 Winner. Sir Arthur Streeton Award Sherbrooke
2011 Most Popular Painting & Runner up Best Oil...Warrnambool
2011 1st Prize Oil Wagga Wagga
2011 Best Oil Kingston Rotary
2011 1st Prize Mont De Lancey
2011 Presidents Choice Bayswater
2011 1st Prize Best Fishing Village San Remo
2010 1st Prize Brighton
2010 Runner Up Mont De Lancey
2008 Winner.. Australian Art Excellence Medallion Award AGRA
2008 Winner.. Australia at Large AGRA
2008 Received Fellowship of AGRA
2008 Packing Room Award AGRA
2008/10 Highly Commended Camberwell Rotary
2007 Certificate of Recognition AGRA
2007 Best Painting, WinterExhibition AGRA
2007 1st Prize Landscape within Shire of Murrindindi Alexandra
2004 Packing Room Award AGRA
2003 Best Australian Landscape to $3,000 Camberwell Rotary
2002 Best Oil Mornington Rotary
2002 3rd Prize Landscape, 3rd Prize Flowers/Gardens Australian Artist Magazine
2000 1st Prize Oil Bright
2000 Best Overall Yea Rotary
1999 Best Oil Croydon Primary School
1999/1998 Best Overall Numurkah Rotary
1998 Best Exhibit--First Prize Oil--3rd Prize in Show--Lilydale Agricultural Society
1997 1st Prize Other Medium Mornington Rotary
1996 Best Pastel Toorak College
1994 Best Oil Dromana Rotary
1992 1st Prize Oil Coburg
1991 1st Prize Pastel Coburg
Celebrity Portraits Painted:
Hugh Jackman...Tommy Emmanuel...Marina Prior...James Morrison...Rhonda Burchmore...
Julie Anthony...Bruce Rowland...Graeme Goble...Peter Brocklehurst plus
Geoffrey Rush and Olivier Newton John for "Chairs for Charity"
Publications:
2008 April Edition Australian Artist
2005 International Artist "100 Ways to paint People & Figures Vol 2"
2005 Celebrity Portraits Australian Artist
2002 Australian Master Painters Showcase Australian Artist
2002 Australian Artist Magazine. "How did you paint that"
2002 Australian Artist Magazine 3rd Prize Challenge No 8 & 9
2000 Troy Dann's Outback
1999 Dec/2000 Jan Pastel Artist International, Master Pastellists of the World, Australia Showcase
1997 Selected for Paris Exhibition poster
1995 Australian Greeting Cards for Womens & Childrens Hospital National heart Foundation NSW
1995 Fifty Australian Artists, Vol 1
1994 Australian Poster Books and Geoff Mayor Calendars
Web: www.dikingartist.com.au
Email di@dikingartist.com
Di is an artist who thrives on variety and the creative challenges involved in painting different subjects. Her understanding of colour and form, and how these are influenced by the effect of varying light is truly impressive. Di's ability to capture light and movement shows in her paintings, from landscapes, seascapes and cattle drives to portraits, beautiful nude and draped figurative works. This versatility allows her to paint any subject fluently.
Di's love of the bush and all things Australian inspired her to join the "Cattlemen's Association of Victoria" and the "Victorian Working Draught Horse Association". There, her love of cattle drives, horsemen, river crossings and the High Country, along with her ploughing scenes, became synonymous with the art of Di King. Her paintings have always included the figure in one way or another. Di's figurative work is evocative and sensuous, from lovely young ladies draped in sheets or soft flowing fabric with moody back lighting, or dancers, to people in action -- on the beach,or in a bar/restaurant.
Di's thought process before actually putting paint to canvas, she said, is the most important key element in painting. It is very important to establish in her mind what design, shape, composition, temperature, colour and mood her paintings should take. Should it take the form of the classic S shape composition to lead the viewer into the painting, or a good strong line of triangles, which can create an interesting focal point within the painting? Light direction and colour balance are important to establish a sense of rhythm and harmony. From there, it is only the passion to paint the chosen subject.
In 2005, Di took on a challenge that for most would have been too daunting:- to paint nine prominent Australian Celebrities to raise funds for charity. This was a mammoth project, which took about eighteen months to complete. The celebrities were:-
Tommy Emmanuel, Julie Anthony, Hugh Jackman. Bruce Rowland, James Morrison, Rhonda Burchmore, Marina Prior, Graeham Goble and Peter Brocklehurst.
In 2007, Di also painted Geoffrey Rush and in 2009, painted Olivia Newton-John for another charity organization called "Chairs for Charity", in which the image of the celebrity was painted on the back of the chair and the celebrity signed the seat. These chairs were then auctioned.
Di has exhibited in London, Paris and New York and has had many solo and group exhibitions along with several publications.
She is a well known and respected artist with many awards and credits to her name.
Di is a past councillor and editor, as well as a Signatory Fellow of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists. She is also a member of the Portrait Artists Australia and the American Portrait Society.
Di's work can be seen at her home Gallery, Di King Gallery, Healesville........Seaview Gallery, Queenscliffe.
AWARDS and PUBLICATIONS
Major Prizes won:
2016/13/09 Jack Montgomery Award, Belgrave
2014 1st Prize Oil Belgrave
2014 Best in show, Mavis Hill award, Sherbrooke
2014 Best Fauna, Sherbrooke
2014 Peoples Choice Mansfield District Hospital Auxiliary
2014 1st Prize Grand Art Exhibition Cardinia
2013 1st Prize, Sir Gustav Nossal Award
2013 Finalist, Black Swan Art Prize
2012 Platinum Award. City of Victor Harbor
2012/11/06 Best Oil St.Kevins
2011 1st Prize Oil Wangaratta
2011 Winner. Sir Arthur Streeton Award Sherbrooke
2011 Most Popular Painting & Runner up Best Oil...Warrnambool
2011 1st Prize Oil Wagga Wagga
2011 Best Oil Kingston Rotary
2011 1st Prize Mont De Lancey
2011 Presidents Choice Bayswater
2011 1st Prize Best Fishing Village San Remo
2010 1st Prize Brighton
2010 Runner Up Mont De Lancey
2008 Winner.. Australian Art Excellence Medallion Award AGRA
2008 Winner.. Australia at Large AGRA
2008 Received Fellowship of AGRA
2008 Packing Room Award AGRA
2008/10 Highly Commended Camberwell Rotary
2007 Certificate of Recognition AGRA
2007 Best Painting, WinterExhibition AGRA
2007 1st Prize Landscape within Shire of Murrindindi Alexandra
2004 Packing Room Award AGRA
2003 Best Australian Landscape to $3,000 Camberwell Rotary
2002 Best Oil Mornington Rotary
2002 3rd Prize Landscape, 3rd Prize Flowers/Gardens Australian Artist Magazine
2000 1st Prize Oil Bright
2000 Best Overall Yea Rotary
1999 Best Oil Croydon Primary School
1999/1998 Best Overall Numurkah Rotary
1998 Best Exhibit--First Prize Oil--3rd Prize in Show--Lilydale Agricultural Society
1997 1st Prize Other Medium Mornington Rotary
1996 Best Pastel Toorak College
1994 Best Oil Dromana Rotary
1992 1st Prize Oil Coburg
1991 1st Prize Pastel Coburg
Celebrity Portraits Painted:
Hugh Jackman...Tommy Emmanuel...Marina Prior...James Morrison...Rhonda Burchmore...
Julie Anthony...Bruce Rowland...Graeme Goble...Peter Brocklehurst plus
Geoffrey Rush and Olivier Newton John for "Chairs for Charity"
Publications:
2008 April Edition Australian Artist
2005 International Artist "100 Ways to paint People & Figures Vol 2"
2005 Celebrity Portraits Australian Artist
2002 Australian Master Painters Showcase Australian Artist
2002 Australian Artist Magazine. "How did you paint that"
2002 Australian Artist Magazine 3rd Prize Challenge No 8 & 9
2000 Troy Dann's Outback
1999 Dec/2000 Jan Pastel Artist International, Master Pastellists of the World, Australia Showcase
1997 Selected for Paris Exhibition poster
1995 Australian Greeting Cards for Womens & Childrens Hospital National heart Foundation NSW
1995 Fifty Australian Artists, Vol 1
1994 Australian Poster Books and Geoff Mayor Calendars
Web: www.dikingartist.com.au
Email di@dikingartist.com
