The colours of motherhood on canvas

KELSIE White will be celebrating the latest chapter of her life at Ross Creek Gallery this month.

The Ballarat artist is presenting her first solo exhibition, New beginnings, featuring large acrylic on canvas works painted since she became mum to Billy last January.

“I’ve been painting beautiful landscapes and hills, trying to capture all the emotions through the year,” she said.

“When Billy was four months old, I took him to the NGV, and when we were wandering around, I spotted a Rothko piece.

“The plaque on the wall was talking about expressing emotions, and trying to capture emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, or anything in between, in a painting.

“That was what I channelled into the work this year; trying to represent certain mindsets or feelings with paint, which is a tricky thing to do.”

Some of the artworks have been dedicated to specific people that have supported White throughout her first 12 months of motherhood.

“Trying to put their energy and love into a painting has been really fun,” she said.

“All of them will be titled to show people what they might represent, but it’s also up to the viewer to look at them and have that emotional response themselves.”

All pieces are for sale, and framed watercolour paintings on paper will also be presented.

“I’d love to sell them, and every sale is someone taking home a little bit of my journey, and something that they’ve connected with and love,” White said.

The exhibition will run from tomorrow, Saturday 6 January, with an opening celebration from 1pm to 4pm. It will be open until Sunday 21 January at 183 Post Office Road at Smythes Creek.

Ross Creek Gallery showcases work by artists throughout the Ballarat region and is managed by ceramicist Ruby Pilven. The space is open 11am to 4pm on weekends.