Barbara Beasley-Southgate

Barbara Beasley-Southgate

Born in 1939, Barbara enjoyed a long and successful career pursuing her first love – painting. Although guided and influenced by several well-known Australian artists, she was basically self taught. Her expertise developed over four decades, and she was an established and well-respected teacher in both oils and pastels for many years.

To Barbara painting was a passion, and sharing her gift was important to her. She demonstrated her techniques at Art Societies and Rotary Art shows throughout Victoria, and over the years judged many of these events. As well, she won many awards that gained her much recognition throughout her career.

In her final years Barbara painted mainly in pastels and oils, but was also noted for her work in gouache and sometimes watercolour. Through these media she captured with true colour and clarity of vision her love of the Australian countryside. Her dynamic yet restful paintings are full of freshness, energy and movement, inviting all to share her enthusiasm and insights into the nature of things. Barbara travelled extensively, exploring her inner vision and re-defining anew her spiritual relationship with the Australian environment, and more recently, British, European, New Zealand and USA.

Barbara drew much inspiration from the magnificent environment of Mansfield and the Delatite Valley, having lived in this area, from 1989-2001. This is still reflected in the wondrous moods and colours of her paintings.

Over the years Barbara held regular solo exhibitions and in 1998 and 2000 she had two very successful solo exhibitions in England UK.

Barbara was our inaugural Signature Award winner.