About Me
My story - About the Artist
DI COX: ABSTRACTED IMPRESSIONIST ARTISTARTIST STATEMENT
My design approach echoes a country childhood fuelled by freedom and promise. Creatively I thrive on this freedom, working intuitively, driven by my love of country and nature, and proud Italian heritage. I have a passion for semi-abstract interpretations of our natural world. My contemporary works are a fusion, hallmarked by colour and translucency, where my watercolour training transmutes to my now preferred acrylic media. With this distinctive aesthetic, each work instinctively evolves into a unique and personal creation.
ARTIST DECLARATION
A prolific child painter, things 'got real' when the expectation of a 'real’ job was imposed. After completing her Bachelor of Physiotherapy, marrying and raising two children, Di thought her life was complete… But the undeniable facet of her being - creativity - remained close to her heart. Under the guidance of many respected and generous art teachers, a new chapter began in 2010.
Through extensive learning and experimentation, Di’s skills have developed in both watercolours and acrylics, her work a contemporary fusion of the two media.
She loves to focus on a positive life balance, finding inspiration everywhere: as a practicing physiotherapist, she marvels at the strength of the human spirit; as an avid traveller: her award-winning photography is testament to that artistic ‘eye’; and in nature: parks, gardens, bushland - all feed her soul. She also spends her time giving back to her art communities through volunteering, at Art West Community Gallery and Royal Queensland Art Society: Brisbane.
ARTIST DECLARATION
A country girl at heart, I revel in creatively that is not restricted by boundaries. I thrive on the challenge to constantly evolve – so I never know where a piece will lead me! I adore the freedom of semi-abstract work, the ability to respond innately to paint on the canvas, which instinctively evolves into a unique and personal creation. This freedom of self-expression allows me to celebrate my loves: our unique Australian light, culture, colour and nature.
Art for me is an experience: as so well said by American Author Thomas Merton, I love that
“…art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”
EDUCATION
1988 | University of Queensland, Bachelor of Physiotherapy
2010 – 2013 | Watercolours with Shirley Charlton
2014 | Watercolours with Maria Field
2014 | Gillian Rankin Botanical Art Classes
2015 | Introduction/Level 1 Oil Painting Marcel Desbiens
2015 | Brisbane Institute of Art Acrylic Techniques and Approaches Nameer Davis
2015 | Watercolours with Jan Lawnikanis
2016 | Watercolour workshop (WSQ) with Barry and Lucy McCann Workshop
2016 | Watercolour workshop (WSQ) with Paul Margocsy
2016 | Acrylics workshop (BPC) with Michael Cawdrey
2017 | Watercolour workshop (BPC) with John Lovett
2020 | Introduction to Encaustic with Jacqueline Archibald
AWARDS
2024 Brookfield Show: Acrylics: Commended
2023 RQAS Petrie Terrace - Art Prize - Colour and Texture, Materially Designed
2023 RQAS Petrie Terrace - Second Prize Digital Works, Members' Annual Exhibition
2022 RQAS Petrie Terrace - First Prize Digital Works, Members' Annual Exhibition
Bluethumb Featured Artist
EXHIBITIONS
2024 | 23 |19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 In Show Finalist Brisbane Rotary Art Spectacular Gallery
2024 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 Art West Community Gallery exhibitions
@ Richard Randall Studio | Brisbane City Hall | Mt Ommaney | Kenmore | Indooroopilly Central
2024 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 Brookfield Show Art Exhibition
2024 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 RQAS [Brisbane Branch]
Members' Annual | Abstraction | Brisbane Landscapes Landmarks Portraits | Materially Designed | Art of Imagination
2023 Online Gallery Finalist, Lethbridge 20 000 Small Scale Art Award
2019 | 14 Gallery Finalist, Lethbridge 10/20 000 Small Scale Art Award
2023 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 18 Downlands Art Exhibition
2023 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 Aspire Gallery, Brisbane
Petite Pieces |Regeneration Exhibition | Comforts of Home | Foot Square | Rustle
2022 Brisbane Home Show Finalist
2022 ArtBurst Kenmore Uniting Church
2022 St Sebastian’s Spring Bloom Art & Design Show
2021 Darcy Doyle Art Prize
2021 Featured Artist Art West Gallery, Mt Ommaney
2019 Outside In, St Vincent’s Private Hospital
2019 COSSAG Finalist
2019 | 18 Toowoomba Grammar Art Show
2017 Lions Garden City Art Extravaganza @ Mt Gravatt
2016 | 15 Annual and Autumn Exhibitions - Watercolour Society of Queensland