ARTIST'S PROFILE - Maxine Thompson

In the beginning Maxine showed artistic talent as a child and received portrait commissions in her teens. In 1991 her art hobby became her business through her friend and team worker Denni's ideas and encouragement. The Pastel Society of Australia granted her the status of Master Pastellist in 1997. Fifteen years on she has had 17 exhibitions, won many awards, taught thousands of classes, sold hundreds of commissions and Denni and Maxine have done many tours in Australia teaching art workshops.

Farm life bred her fascination with country characters and their animals so portraiture was and is her focus. Starting with line drawings of cowboys and horses from comics, Maxine progressed to realistic portrayals of people and animals. A few years' residence in England landed her more commissions.

Pencil, charcoal and ink drawing expanded to watercolours, oils and finally pastels. Pastels produced the fine portraits for which she is known. Maxine was introduced to pastels by Noosa's Lyn Fraser.

After travelling the Outback enjoying the red earth and down-to-earth characters, Maxine took up modelling clay portraits. Since February 2005 she has studied with Jackie Gasson at Eudlo who has enabled Maxine to translate her portraiture talent into clay sculptures.

The years of refining her portraiture skills in pencil and pastel have been vital to her success of creating likenesses in clay. Getting hands dirty in clay feels good and there is an emotional aspect to portraiture. As Maxine moulds and shapes the clay the features and personality of her subject come to life.