Art strokes for art folks

A SOCIAL WORKER by trade and art lover and maker in her spare time, Elise Cruickshank has launched a community arts page to connect like-minded people across the Bellarine.
“I’ve been painting casually for a few years, chugging away in my office. I started to feel like it would be great to connect with other people doing the same thing,” she said.
“I saw somebody post their art on the community noticeboard, I commented and it generated some discussion around art, in particular conversations with Fiona Macdonald, Catherine Lester and Tina Vanderchys. We discussed the idea and then I launched the arts page.”
Ms Cruickshank said “Bellarine Peninsula Art” on Facebook is a place for people to come together and share their work.
“It’s very fresh but there’s been a lot of people uploading their art to the page wanting to share what they’ve been doing. Other people have been commenting and responding, it’s all been very positive.”
Having completed a few workshops and a term at Geelong Art Society, Ms Cruickshank said she’s honed her hobby over the years to a point where she wants to share.
“I’ve had some basic training but I suppose I’ve really just taught myself. I love painting and using a paint knife which not a lot of people do, using oils for my work.
“You do get nervous to share, that’s why it’s taken me so long. I’ve been painting for a little while and it got to the point where I felt I was ready to show others my work.”
Ms Cruickshank said after posting on her personal Facebook and garnering praise from family and friends, she’s readying to post her own work to the page.
“I’m still wrapping my head around the technology stuff, I want to share my work but from my personal page. I want the page to be for the community, I don’t want it to be about me.”
As the page continues to attract aspiring artists and enthusiasts Ms Cruickshank said the talent is “unbelievable” with group members set to have their first get together.
“The page is already bringing people together; we’ve booked in for our first lunch. I can’t believe the standard of works. There’s so many talented artists in our community and it’s great to see them sharing, it’s amazing actually.
“It’s a good opportunity for people to connect to other art lovers, and if they have a body of work, provide people details and direct them to their page. The intention is to share visual art of any medium and connect with likeminded people.
“Often artists do painting as a side hobby, it’s very much an individual thing and this page allows them to connect to others and a
greater audience.”
To share your pieces or appreciate other local artists across the Bellarine, search “Bellarine Peninsula Art” on Facebook.