“Drawing and Painting for me is about discovery, desire and language. It becomes a catalyst for more ideas and communicates an emotion or significant concept.”

Newcastle born, Russell Austin has exhibited his work in both group and solo shows throughout the Central Coast, Sydney, Newcastle and Japan.

Also known for his incredible mural work and his love for teaching, Austin is an active and passionate member of the Arts Community.

#russtinpaint

Teaching
“I like to teach in an environment that promotes imagination, communication, and a bit of fun. This helps to alleviate the common fear that comes with painting.
The interaction with each other can help with ideas and concept building.
Most sessions will include some form of painting demonstration by me to help with visual understanding of the different techniques used in oil painting.
I will guide each student with composition, sketching, underpainting, experimentation, techniques including brush work, tonal arrangement, colour combinations and glazing.
Each person has a limit of skill depending on previous experience. This limitation can be the basis of their individual style, therefore I like to encourage their unique direction, whether beginner or advanced, and provide tools for them to explore and open new doorways of discovery without feeling pressured to be perfect.”

Russell Austin – past achievements.
Competitions/Events
2015 Winner of ""5 Lands, Art in the Open "" award , Gosford Regional Gallery
2011 Winner of the 'Artist Choice Award' for the annual Terrigal en Plein Air Competition
Winner of Under The Blue Moon 'Through a Glass Darkly' art prize, Sydney - 2010
Sydney Morning Herald Drawing Competition; Russell's work was sent to Nagoya, Japan for an exhibition and Certificate signed by artist Lloyd Rees. - 1988
People's Choice Award for the Fabulous Fakes Competition/Exhibition - 1998
Drawing in the Gardens Competition; Painting sent to Japan as part of an International Collection - 1999

Portrait Demonstrations, TV/Newspaper/Radio interviews and Public Outdoor City Exhibitions
Part of a mobile Exhibition Art Walk through the streets of Sydney – 2006
Art Whispers Project , 18 meter ink multi portrait work of 10 local families, exhibited
Somersalt Gallery and Gosford Regional Gallery.
3 x solo exhibitions and over 100 group shows between 1991 – 2023
Finalist in Gosford Art Prize many times.

Murals
Private Mural - Terrigal NSW – ‘Trevi Fountain’
5 x Murals for GBID Gosford Business Improvement District
Mural/Bollards for Wyong Council at Long Jetty NSW (2013)
Mural for Banksia Community Centre, Bateau Bay – (2014)
Mural for Berkeley Vale Cellars (2014)
Mural, Kincumber Neighbourhood Centre (2015)
Design installed on 2 Theatre entries, 'Art House' Performing Arts Centre ,Wyong (2016)
Urban Gallery- 3x Mural designs – Terrigal, Kooolewong, Gosford Stadium . (2017)
Mural, Toukley – ‘Local Legends’ – Heador St Toukley
Mural, Soccer inspired, Jubilee Oval, Long Jetty.
Mural, Heatherbraes Pies, Ourimbah.