Certificate of Fine Art (now Diploma of Fine Art) 1981–82
Studying at the local TAFE College at Kogarah was exciting and quite eventful. I had finished school and loved all things art (my mother Susan Bricknell (1942–2023) and grandmother were painters, my grandmother Ethel Phillips (1912–2012) studied under Melville Haysom (1900–1968) in the 1950s in Brisbane. I applied to enrol in the Fine Art course at the nearest technical college… Kogarah Tech. Little was I to know that my drawing and painting teachers all studied together at East Sydney Tech in the 1950s, now known as the National Art School.
My drawing teacher was Elisabeth Cummings (1934– ), now regarded as one of Australia’s most respected living artists and my painting teacher was James Barker (1931–2019), both studied under the guidance of teachers including Douglas Dundas, Ron Millen, Godfrey Miller, Jean Appleton and Dorothy Thornhill. Also studying with them and another of my favourite drawing tutors was Karen Oom (1933–2015) and filling in for classes was Cameron Sparks (1930–2016) art director.
The end-of-course exhibition for my graduation was opened by their good friend and colleague Lloyd Rees AC CMG (1895–1988), with his wife sitting next to him, quietly having a nap.
In retrospect the gravitas and important role these great Australian artists played in my life has now hit home, I have always felt confident with my artistic grounding as it is the foundation of all my graphic design pursuits.
See below: final year full nude study of ‘Nita’.
NB. My Maternal grandfather Frank Phillips was good friends with Frank Rowland (1912–1976), artist and graphic artist. My mother completed the Certificate of Fine Art (part-time) majoring in Sculpture, we were at art school at the same time and place, with a few cross-over classes.
James Barker.
Elisabeth Cummings.
Final piece, painting major, ‘Nita’ (oil on canvas, 1140x725mm).
First year study of ‘Liquid Amber’ (acrylic on canvas, 600x870mm).
This tree was next to the print room in the outside common area at Kogarah Tech, Fine Art Campus.