Painting a pastoral picture

UNICORN Lane’s current exhibition is aimed at bringing Learmonth into view for passersby.

Called Local Views, the show features 15 oil paintings by artist Lisa Nolan, depicting the town’s rural setting, with the majority based around her immediate surroundings.

Nolan, who lives by Learmonth’s eastern hill, said the collection is about highlighting the area’s natural beauty.

“It’s panoramic up there,” she said. “You can see from there all the way across there to Mount Buninyong and Mount Warrenheip.

“We get beautiful sunrises and sunsets so the colours are beautiful and different paintings are done at different times of the day and different times of the year.

“That way the lighting’s different. Leaves are different. Grass changes colour. These are local things people will be able to connect with.”

The works in the collection were created as far back as three years ago.

A lifelong artist, Nolan regularly teaches solo lessons and workshops and is set to lead a silverpoint class at the Art Gallery of Ballarat this weekend.

Born in Ballarat, Nolan grew up at Learmonth before moving to Melbourne, returning to her hometown about six years ago.

She said she hopes the exhibition gives people a greater appreciation of the region’s geographical character.

“I want people to connect with the scenery,” she said. “It’s indicative of anywhere in Ballarat, the colours and the scenes.

“But for anyone that’s been up the hill at Learmonth, it should be particularly notable.”

Local Views is on display until Wednesday 16 August.