King, Di

MORTIMER ART PRIZE 2011  goes to Di King

Di King’s Rocky Escarpment captured the judges eye “ and they declared it a perfect painting” at the recent  judging for The Mortimer prize, an internationally recognised Art Award held in Dubbo NSW.
Winning this prestigious AWARD, Di not only receives $15000, a perpetual trophy, as well, she sits on the judging panel for the next year’s competition.

We are very proud to represent Di King at Seaview Gallery. The gallery always exhibits a wonderful range of her paintings.

Di’s love of painting is all passion, all consuming. The canvas becomes the visual tool of her expression and creativity.
Although she started painting in oils, it wasn’t until she started using pastels that she gained recognition. But since becoming allergic to pastel dust she reverted back to oils and hasn’t looked back.
Di’s love of the bush and all things Australian inspired her to join the “Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria” and the “Victorian Working Draught Horse Association.” There her love of cattle drives, horsemen, dust raising, river crossings and the High Country along with her ploughing scenes became synonymous with the art of Di King.

But like anything in life, one moves on, directions change, as does the journey of an artist.

Her paintings have always included the figure in one way or another, and so it was inevitable that the human form be a dominant feature in her paintings. Di’s figurative work is evocative and sensuous. From lovely young ladies draped in sheets or soft flowing fabric with moody back lighting, or belly dancers, to chefs and make-up artists. People in action; whether on the beach, or in a bar/restaurant.

Her versatility and ability to capture light and movement show in her paintings. Each painting tells a story to which we can all relate.
Awards
1991/92 1st prize pastel, 1st oil, Coburg
1998/99 Best overall, Numurkah
1999 Artist of the Year & Most Popular, Ringwood Art Society
2000 1st prize oil, Bright
2002 3rd prize Landscape/Gardens and Flowers, Aust. Artist Magazine
2003 Best Australian Landscape to $3,000, Camberwell Rotary
2004 Aspects of Excellence AGRA Packing Room Award
2008 “The Australian Art Excellence Award”. Gold award – The Australian Guild of Realist Artists ( A.G.R.A. A National Body)

Bibliography
1991/2/3/4/5 VIP printing for 29th Sentry Cards
1992/97 Limited Edition Prints
1994 Australia Post Poster Books, Geoff Mayer Calendar
1995 Fifty Australian Artists Vol 1
1995 Australian Greeting Cards for Womens & Childrens
Hospital and National Heart foundation N.S.W.
1997 Selected for Paris Exhibition Poster
1999/2000 World Australian Showcase
2002/3 Australian Artist Magazine – “How did you paint that”
2005 International Artists – “100 Ways to Paint People & Figures” Vol 2