The stunning natural backdrop of the Perth Hills is the main inspiration behind Robert Walker and Ruth de Vos’ artwork, as they look forward to one of the City of Armadale’s premier Spring into Armadale events.
They are just some of the local artists who will open their studio doors to the public during the Armadale Hills Open Studio Arts Trail that runs from Friday, 11 September – Sunday, 20 September.
“The Armadale Hills Open Studio Arts Trail offers a rare opportunity to talk to our talented local artists while they work in their home studios and understand what inspires them,” said Mayor Ruth Butterfield.
“There is an extraordinary range of artists and art practices across 14 studios, nestled amongst the stunning natural beauty of the Armadale Hills environment.”
Involved for the past four years, Roleystone resident and steel sculpture artist, Robert Walker, said the annual event enabled him to connect with the local community, and to share his techniques.
“My work has a natural theme to it – from grass trees and gumnuts, to dandelions. I create small hanging pieces to really large sculptures that are four metres high,” he said.
“I’m inspired by what I see locally – the visual aspects of the bush.
“It’s always great to show people my workshop and how I make things. I’ll show them the tooling, where I get my ideas from, how I start and the processes to making it, and of course, they see the end results.
“Everyone seems to leave with a smile on their face, so it must be working.”
Textile and illustration artist and Mount Nasura local, Ruth de Vos, said she was inspired by the beauty of her own backyard and her children.
“A lot of my work is inspired by native flora, especially eucalyptus but also banksia. Most of that is based on the street trees and the verge trees in our local area. I also love creating anything that captures little children, learning and playing. I’m a mum of six, so I’ve always had lots of kids to draw and make art about.”
She said the Armadale Hills Open Studio Arts Trail event provided an opportunity to receive feedback on her work from visitors and to connect with other local artists.
“It’s broadened my network of people that know about me and my work and people that I know in the industry which has been really neat. I’ll now have regular studio visitors that have been a couple of times before and come every year again, just to say hi.
“Getting to know the other artists in the area has been really good – we know we’re not alone in it and that we can support each other and look out for each other.
“That’s unique because making art in your own studio is quite a solitary thing otherwise.”
The studios are open 10am-4pm on various days from 11 to 20 September 2020, and on some days by appointment only. To find out more about the Armadale Hills Open Studio Arts Trail event, visit www.perthhillsarmadale.com.au/spring-armadale
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