Pearson, Vida

Vida was born in 1957 at Wonthaggi, Victoria. Her early life was spent living in various country towns in Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales – due to her father’s involvement with the dairy industry. As a child her love of drawing was paramount – but with the cultural isolation of small country towns, the thought of one day becoming an artist seemed remote. It was not until Year 12 at Dubbo High School that she finally stepped into an art gallery – the occasion was “ Modern Masters – Manet to Matisse” held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales – it was a revelation – and sowed the seed of artistic ambition.
On finishing school, dabbling with tertiary studies, and various jobs – the travel bug- acquired from moving so much as a child- took hold, and she spent 12 months following that well- worn route from Kathmandu to London. Her mind was crammed with the exotic visual experiences of Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Visits to the major Galleries of Great Britain further fuelled her desire to study art on her return home.
So, it was in 1982 with the support of her partner Fred Ross, Vida realized a life-long ambition to study art. She spent the next 3 years studying at the North Adelaide School of Art – majoring in printmaking and drawing. In 1985 they moved to their 5- acre bush block near Ballarat in Victoria, where Vida has her studio and Fred, who makes fine hand-crafted furniture has his workshop. The environment they have created there is one conducive to their need to work alongside one another in an atmosphere of harmony and natural beauty.
Much of Vida’s work is inspired by her numerous travels far and wide. The flora and bird-life of a region are her main focus, but there are times when other elements are the dominant visual form and these are then included in her studies. As well as destinations such as Russia, Mongolia, China, Indonesia, Iceland, Scandinavia, Europe, Africa, South Georgia and Antarctica – Australia still remains the place from where the bulk of her images are gleaned. Several field trips each year to different regions are an absolute must for her continuing portfolio of Grevilleas, Banksias and Eucalypts. Australian birds – which are some of the most interesting in the world – are also eagerly sort after. Field trips also serve another function in that they provide a welcome break from the solitary and inward looking existence of the studio. Catching up on what’s happening in galleries is also important for her continuing development as an artist.
Vida has always had a strong commitment to regularly exhibiting in group and solo shows in order to give the many admirers of her work a chance to see it changing over time. Over the years one has seen a strong individual style emerging, especially in her hand-coloured linocuts – with their bold colours and strong design. With her constant seeking of new ideas and materials and her dedication to her work we can see her work continuing to grow and evolve.

PRIZES Best Original Print on an Australian Theme, Royal Melbourne Show, 1986
Best Original Print, Hamilton, 1986
Best Other Medium, Woodend, 1987
Best Work on Paper, Waverley, 1987
Finalist Camberwell Rotary Travel Grant, 1987
Special Prize for Painting on an Australian Theme, Royal Melbourne Show, 1987
Painting of the Show, Skipton, 1987
Acquisitive Prize, Kyabram, 1987
Adeney Family Award for Drawing, Lilydale, 1987
Second Prize for an original Print – Art/Craft Bi-centennial National Exhibition, 1987
Doyle, Cinque Award, Buninyong, 1988
Best Other Medium, Woodend, 1988
Finalist Camberwell Rotary Travel Grant, 1988
Acquisitive Award, Kyabram, 1988
Best Original Print, Chelsea, 1988
Best Miniature, Tallangatta, 1988
Best Painting under $250, Malvern, 1988
Sectrol Systems Award, Ballarat, 1988
Best Original Print, Yallourn, 1988
Best Other Medium, Skipton, 1988
Best Other Medium, Mt. View, 1988
Best Other Medium, Sorrento, 1989
Best Other Medium, Mornington, 1989
Best Other Medium, Keilor, 1989
Frank Sheehan Award, Buninyong, 1989
Best Other Medium, V.T.U. Credit Union,1989
Best Other Medium, Skipton, 1989
Best Drawing in the Show, Tyers, 1989
Best Other Medium, Melba, 1989
Painting of the Show, Ballarat, 1989
Best Other Medium, Birchip, 1989
Apex Art Award, Beaufort, 1989
Best Other Medium, Sorrento, 1990
Best Other Medium, Pt. Fairy, 1990
Best Other Medium, Benalla, 1990
Drawing Award, Numurkah, 1990
Special Award, Drysdale, 1990
Best Other Medium, Waverley, 1990
Best Other Medium, Elanora, 1990
Merit Award, Bacchus Marsh, 1990
Best Other Medium, Wimmera, 1990
Wendouree Award, Ballarat, 1990
Best Other Medium, Pt. Fairy, 1991
Buninyong Shire Award, 1991
Best Other Medium, Cobram, 1991
Best Other Medium, Wangaratta, 1991
First Prize for an Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show, 1991
Best Pair, Bentleigh, 1991
Wendouree Award, Ballarat, 1991
Best Other Medium, Woodend, 1992
Best Other Medium, Buninyong, 1992
Best Other Medium, Geelong, 1992
Best Other Medium, Beta Sigma Phi, 1992
First Prize, Zonta , Frankston, 1992
Encouragement Award, Singleton, N.S.W. 1992
Best Other Medium, Gunnedah, N.S.W. 1992
Best Other Medium, Forster, N.S.W. 1992
Best Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show, 1992
Best Other Medium, Pt. Fairy, 1993
Best Painting, Oyster Bay, N.S.W. 1993
Best Other Medium, Bacchus Marsh, 1993
Best Other Medium, Dobell Festival, Wangi, N.S.W. 1993
Acquisitive Prize, Melbourne High School, 1994
Best Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show, 1994
Best Original Print on an Australian Theme, Royal Melbourne Show, 1994
Best Work on Paper, Oyster Bay, N.S.W. 1995
Best Original Print, Bacchus Marsh, 1995
Best Other Medium, Mt. View, 1995
Prize, Ivanhoe Girls Grammar, 1995
Best Flora Painting, Pt. Macquarie, N.S.W. 1995
Best Original Print, R.A.A.F. “Australia Remembers Exhibition” 1995
Best Work on Paper, Oyster Bay, N.S.W. 1996
Best Australian Flora, Cootamundra, N.S.W. 1996
Best Still Life, Newcastle Society of the Arts, N.S.W. 1996
Best Original Print, Mudgee, 1996
Best Work on Paper, Ivanhoe Girls Grammar, 1997
Acquisitive Award, Cootamundra, 1997
First Prize for an Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show, 1997
Best Original Print, Mudgee, N.S.W. 1997
Best Other Medium, Peninsular Arts Society, 1998
Prize for an Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show, 1998
Best Other Medium, Warrnambool, 1998
Best Work in Show, Haddon Arts Festival, 1998
Other Medium, Second Prize, Forster, N.S.W. 1999
Original Print, Second Prize, Royal Melbourne Show, 1999
Best Other Medium, Wimmera, 1999
Best Other Medium, King Valley, 1999
Best Other Medium, Junee, 2000
Best Native Flora, Cootamundra, 2000
Original Print, First Prize, Royal Melbourne Show, 2000
Best Other Medium, Grampians, 2001
Best Other Medium, Deniliquin, 2001
First Prize for an Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show, 2001
Best Other Medium, King Valley, 2001
Best Other Medium, Mildura, 2002
Best Other Medium, Charlton, 2002
Best Other Medium, Balranald, 2002
Best Other Medium, Deniliquin, 2003
Best Other Medium, Bright, 2003
Best Other Medium, Wimmera, 2003
Best Work On Paper, Dubbo, 2003
Best Other Medium, Daylesford, 2003
Best Other Medium, Buninyong, 2004
Best Other Medium, Deniliquin, 2004
Best Original Print, Ballan, 2004
Best Other Medium, Balranald, 2004
Best Original Print, Ballan, 2005
Best Pastel, Deniliquin, 2005
Best Other Medium, Bright, 2005
Best Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show, 2006
Best Other Medium, Wimmera, 2006
Best Original Print, Royal Melbourne Show,2007
Painting Award, Buninyong Festival, 2008
Gold Medal Award for an original Print, Wildlife Art @ Discovery, Canberra,2008
Best In Show, Wildlife Art @ Discovery, Canberra, 2008
Best In Show, Bannockburn, 2008
Peoples Choice, Marysville. 2008
Bronze Medal, Wildlife Art Society of Australasia. 2008
Best Other Medium, San Remo, 2009
Best other Medium, Bright, 2009
Presidents’ Award, Wildlife Art Society of Australasia, 2009
Best Other Medium, Wimmera, 2010

ACQUISITIONS
Mowbray College, Melton
Aquinas College, Ballarat
Methodists Ladies College, Kew
Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School
Ballarat and Clarendon College
Santa Maria College
Lithgow City Council
Wyong City Council
Bright Art & Cultural Centre.2003
Art Bank
Pat Clark Collection, Iowa Falls, USA
Bright Art & Cultural Centre. 2005
Goldfields regional Art Gallery, Maryborough. 2007

COMMISSIONS
Commissioned by the Bonython- Meadmore Gallery, Adelaide, to complete 200 silk-screen prints for the Sheraton Hotel, Alice Springs, Northern Territory.
Commissioned by Makers Mark Gallery, Melbourne, to complete 192 hand-coloured etchings for the Savoy Plaza Hotel, Melbourne.
Label design for Waratah Cosmetics.

GRANTS
Received an Australia Council Grant as part of the Artists-in-schools programme. This involved 10 weeks at Alice Springs High School as Artist-in-Residence – teaching students the different processes of printmaking and workshops for the local community.

EXHIBITIONS
Ten Student Artists – Adelaide Festival of the Arts, 1984
Two Graduate Printmakers – Royal South Australian Society of the Arts, 1984
The Barn – McLaren Vale, 1985
Tesshas Gallery – Adelaide, 1985
Ararat Community Gallery, Victoria1985
Salisbury Gallery, Adelaide 1985
Lombard Gallery, Adelaide 1985
Elkira Gallery – Alice Springs, 1985
Oldhouse Gallery – Ballarat, 1986
Kintore Gallery – Adelaide, 1986
Stawell Arts Council – Victoria, 1986
Mulgrave Gallery – Victoria, 1987
Oldhouse Gallery – Ballarat, 1987
Framed Gallery – Darwin, 1987
Coolart Wetlands Wildlife Reserve – Victoria 1987
Image, Defined and Altered – Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 1988
Olinda Gallery – Victoria, 1989
MacArthur Gallery – Victoria, 1989
White Hill Gallery – Victoria, 1989
Seaview Gallery – Victoria, 1990
Australian Aspects – Melbourne, 1990
White Hill Gallery – Victoria, 1990
Framed Gallery – Darwin, 1991
Gray St. Gallery – Victoria, 1991
Seaview Gallery – Victoria, 1991
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1992
Mulgrave Gallery – Victoria, 1992
8×8 Horsham Regional Gallery – Victoria, 1992
Beechworth Gallery – Victoria, 1993
Fine Art Living –Victoria, 1993
Horsham Regional Gallery – Victoria, 1993
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1993
Elgin Print Gallery, Melbourne, 1994
Lombard Gallery – Adelaide, 1994
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1994
Olinda Gallery – Victoria, 1994
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1995
Medika Gallery – South Australia, 1995
Northern Exposure – Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 1996
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1996
Medika Gallery – South Australia, 1996
Riddoch Gallery – South Australia, 1997
Millicent Regional Gallery – South Australia, 1997
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1997
Medika Gallery – South Australia, 1997
Olinda Gallery – Victoria, 1997
Blooming Exhibition –Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 1997
Artists Prints, Designs and Concepts – Gordon Edgerton Gallery, 1998
Russian Cultural Exchange Exhibition – St. Petersburg and Cheboksary, Russia, 1998
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1998
Blooming Exhibition –Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 1998
Wildlife Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery – Victoria, 1999
The Geese Are Getting Fat – Ballarat Fine Art Gallery, 1999
Indulgence – Olinda Art Gallery – Victoria, 2000
Beautiful Birds & Botany, Urrbrae House – Adelaide, 2001
Castlemaine State Festival, Buda Historic Homestead – Victoria, 2001
Adventures and Memories, Lake Russell Gallery, Coffs Harbor, N.S.W. 2001
Marked Impressions, Ararat Regional Gallery, Victoria, 2001
Solo Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery, Victoria, 2002
Paper, Cloth and Clay, Willabaa, Ballarat, Victoria, 2002 Art At Ansonia, Ballarat, Victoria, 2002
Fremantle Print Award, Western Australia, 2002
McLaren Vale Award, South Australia, 2002
St. Michael’s, Collins Street, Melbourne, 2003
Still Life Group Exhibition, Eltham Wiregrass Gallery, Victoria, 2003
Solo Exhibition, Beauty & the Beach, Mornington, Victoria, 2003
Blooming Exhibition, Ballarat Regional Fine Art Gallery, 2003
Annual Wildlife Exhibition, Wiregrass Gallery at Monsalvat, 2005
Flying Through Time, BOCA Gallery, Melbourne, 2005
Solo Exhibition, Parker Estate Winery, Coonawarra, 2005
Flowers, Feathers and Fantastical Birdscapes, Strickland Gallery, Hobart, 2005
Finalist Waterhouse Natural History Art Prize, 2006
Wild Awards, Wildlife Artists’ Society of Australasia, 2006
Print, Paper, Flower and Feather, Goldfields Art Gallery, Maryborough, 2007
Wild Awards, Wildlife Art Society of Australasia. 2008
Wild4Art, Town and Country Gallery, Yarragon, 2009
Melbourne Art Fair, 2010
Wild4Art, Ruffy, 2010