Colour Stories is an exhibition by artists Laura Peden, Karen Frankel, Alex Kyriakacis and Shirley Winstanley, four friends who are connected by their obsession with colour, from Alex and Shirley’s exquisite use of colour to explore light and form in oil and acrylic paintings painted from life, to Karen and Laura’s bold use of colour and mark making in sumptuous glass artworks and mixed media paintings respectively.

Karen Frankel’s artwork is always a response to her surroundings. Her currently glass artwork features the iconic colours and textures of the West Australian landscape. Having previously worked extensively with mixed media on canvas, Karen’s kiln-formed glass artwork is an exciting reimagining of her layering process.

Alex Kyriakacis paints to express beauty and colour, preferring to paint ‘alla prima’, painting from life and completing work in one sitting whenever she can. The power of the brush and the movement of paint inspire her, with her expressive brushstrokes being the cornerstone of her approach.

Shirley Winstanley ‘plays with paint’, chasing shadows, painting plein air and models from life. She is also passionate and excited about painting still life objects in the studio.

Laura Peden’s artwork is inspired by the natural landscape, from remnant pockets of urban bush land to the wilderness of northern Australia. Her acrylic and mixed media paintings include layers of collage, acrylic and ink washes, charcoal, graphite, colour pencil, crayon, oil pastel and oil paint, to suggest the textures and elements of the West Australian landscape.