JAN LAWNIKANIS
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My Journey

Born in Sydney and now living in Gympie after 30 years on the Gold Coast, I am a representational artist with 29 years continuous teaching experience throughout Queensland and New South Wales. Art is such an important part of my life. The need to create is a strong force that is both stimulating and satisfying. I also enjoy the challenge of learning new skills and it is especially beneficial being able to pass on what I’ve learnt to students in the many art classes and workshops that I tutor.

Painting florals in watercolour is my particular passion. I strive to create uplifting paintings of truth and beauty, pieces that are a pleasure to live with and that inspire the viewer. Sunlight dancing on transparent petals, the nuances of colour in shadows and reflective lights; these are subjects that motivate me to record nature in some of its finest moments. Coloured pencils are another medium I have explored since the beginning of my art career, with recognition gained through articles written for leading art magazines.
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Quickly produced work is not my style. Focusing on details of the natural world is a contemplative experience and I enjoy the process as much as the outcome. By being immersed in the study of God's creation, I aim to achieve a sense of quiet and stillness in my work.
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Professional Development

2017   2 workshops, Mixed Media with Tricia Reust
2017   Workshop, Typism Conference, Brush Script Lettering with B Enright & Carla Hackett
2016   Workshop, Mt Tamborine, Palette Knife Painting in Oils with Brian Cook
2016   Workshop, RQAS Brisbane, Portraiture in Oils with Frank Giacco
2013   Watercolour workshop with Charles Sluga
2013   Weekend workshop, Watercolours with John Lovett
2008   5 day workshop, Brisbane Artists Academe, Alla Prima portraits with Clayton J. Beck  
2006   2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Collage with Elizabeth Gower    
2005   2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Mixed Media with Gary Miles 
2004   2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Book Illustration with  Paul Lennon  
2004   1 day workshop, Brisbane Institute of Art, Flowers in Oils with Fu Hong 
2004   3 day workshop, Fibre Montage with Noela Mills 
2003   2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Book Illustration with Paul Lennon  
2003   3 day workshop, Fibre Montage with Noela Mills 
2003   2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Animals in Acrylics with Trevor Weekes 
2002   2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Portraits in Oils with Keith Dewell 
2001    2 week workshop, McGregor Summer School, Pastels with Tim Miller
2000  1 week workshop, Watercolour with Alvaro Castagnet
1995-2000  Weekly art classes, Tutor Dale Crabtree, , & 3 mths life-drawing lessons

Gallery Representation

Currently:
Art on Yabba, Imbil
Talented Friends, Caloundra
Online galleries: Bluethumb, Art Lovers Australia, Redbubble, Fine Art America

Exhibitions

Individual Exhibitions - selection
Art’s Café, Gold Coast Arts Centre, QLD 2006
'Art is the Flower' RQAS, Broadbeach 2010
Selected Group Exhibitions
2023-present   Art on Yabba gallery, Imbil
2022, 2023        Fabriano in Aquarello festival, Italy
2021-2023         Australian Watercolour Muster finalists, Cairns
2021                   Du Reitz Art Awards finalists, Gympie Regional Gallery

2021                   Chevron Island Art Gallery, Gold Coast
2007-2020        Royal QLD Art Society, Gold Coast
2012 -present   Myart Gallery,  Toowoomba
2020-2022         8x8 To Educate, Gold Coast

2013-2014         The Art Gallery, Mt Tamborine
2009-2013        St Hilda's Art Show, Gold Coast
2008                  30 Icons Portrait Competition, Gold Coast
2006                  Stanthorpe Regional Gallery 
2005-2007        Moulton Galleries, Robina & Southport
2005-2013        King’s Christian Arts Festival, Gold Coast
2004-2021        D’Arcy Doyle Art Awards, Gold Coast
2003-2013        Border Art Prize, Gold Coast City Art Gallery
2002-2005       Leukemia Foundation Art Show, Helensvale


Plus various local and regional exhibitions and competitions.

Awards


2023    Finalist -         Fabriano in Aquarello, Italy
2023    Finalist -         Australian Watercolour Muster
2022    Finalist -         Fabriano in Aquarello, Italy
2022    Finalist -         Australian Watercolour Muster
2022    Multiple awards – Bell Art Show
2021    Finalist -         Australian Watercolour Muster
2021    Finalist -         Du Reitz Art Awards
2019    Finalist -         Fabriano in Aquarello, Italy

2017    First Prize –     Still-life, D’arcy Doyle Art Awards
2016    First Prize –     Botanical theme, RQAS
2014    First Prize –     Watercolours, Ocean Shores Art Competition
2013    Third Prize –    Still-life, RQAS Awards
2012    First Prize –     Still –life, Ipswich Art Awards 
2011    First Prize -      ACPN coloured pencil competition
2009   Second Prize – Watercolour, RQAS Awards
2009   First Prize –     Watercolour, Gold Coast Show
2008   Finalist –          30 Icons competition, Pacific Fair
2007   Second Prize – Challenge no. 28 Australian Artist Magazine, June
2006   First Prize –     Watercolour, Elanora Art Show
2006   First prize -      Watercolour, Springfest Art & Craft Festival
2006   Set Design Award – Dramafest
2005   First Prize –     Pastels, Elanora Art Show 
2004   First Prize -     Drawing, Elanora Uniting Church Art Show
2004   First Prize –     Abstracts, D’Arcy Doyle Art Awards
2004   First Prize -     Watercolours, Laidley Art Show

Plus numerous commendations and awards

Grants

G.C.City Council Rapid Response Cultural Development Grant 2002

Corporate Collections

Portrait of Margaret May, Portrait of Dr Cherrell Hirst AO: Women at Work International
40 artworks for Air Apartments, Broadbeach
14 artworks, Surfers Paradise Executive Offices

Commissions

1999-present  Various painting and drawing commissions for private clients
2004-2019       Various designs and painting of sets for school musicals
2012                  14 artworks, Surfer’s Paradise Executive Offices 
2007                  4 Paintings, Tokiya Restaurant, Mermaid Beach
2006                Outside murals, Hillcrest Christian College
2005                Artist’s impressions for real estate agent
2005                40 artworks for Air Apartments, Broadbeach
2003-2005      Murals for the grounds of Hillcrest Christian College
2003                Tea towel designs for Souvenirs Australia
2001                 Portrait painting for principal Hillcrest Christian College

Artist In-Residencies


2021  Artist in Residence, Alluvial Gallery, Gympie
2011   Guest Artist, St Hilda's Art Show
2009-2013 Guest Artist, Gold Coast Show
2009  Guest Artist, Southport Library

Selected Teaching Appointments
​

2020- present    Weekly watercolour classes, home studio
2019 – 2020        Weekly art classes, Primary & Community Care, Mermaid Beach

2020 - present   Multiple art workshops, Bienarte, Brisbane
2019 – 2020        Weekly art classes Flare Academy, Nerang
2017 - 2020         Weekly watercolour lessons, Royal QLD Art Society, Broadbeach
2017 - present    Monthly art workshops, Framed Just For You, Gold Coast
2015 – present    Multiple workshops in diverse media, Artable Workshops, NSW and QLD
2020 - present    Weekend watercolour workshops, SASIinc, Esk
2020, 2022           Weekend watercolour workshops, Quilpie Cultural Society, Quilpie
2019, 2023           5 week drawing workshop, Gold Coast & Gympie
2019-present      5 acrylic painting workshops, Studio Village community group, Gold Coast
1999 - 2019         Various art & Professional Development workshops for teachers and students, Hillcrest C.College
2010 – 2019        Weekly Art Excellence art classes for High School students, Hillcrest Christian College
2009 – present   23 watercolour/colour pencil workshops, Coochie Art Group
2019                      4 week watercolour course and workshop, Cutter’s Art Yard, Currumbin
2017                      Two watercolour workshops, Don Milner’s studio, Tinbeerwah
2017                      Two watercolour workshops, Redcliffe Art Society
2015 - 2021          Four 5 day workshops, watercolours, McGregor Winter School, USQ Toowoomba
2012 – present    Ten coloured pencil/watercolour workshops, Murray’s Art & Framing, Toowoomba
2016                      Two watercolour workshops, Ipswich Art Society
2016                      6 day watercolour workshop, Oakey Art Group
2015 - 2016          Weekly watercolour lessons & colour pencil lessons, Artable Studio, Robina
2015 – 2016          Weekly children’s art lessons, Artable Studio, Robina
2015 – 2016          Watercolour lessons, home studio and Louise Corke’s studio, Pimpama
2014                       Weekend colour pencil workshop, Rockhampton Art Society
2014 - 2016          Two watercolour workshops, Lismore Art Club                             
2013                      Watercolour 4 day workshop, McGregor Spring School, USQ, Toowoomba 
2013                      Coloured Pencils 6 day workshop, Maryborough Art Festival  
2010 - 2012          Nine various art workshops, Brisbane Artist’s Academy
2007                     Weekend drawing workshop, Annabel Tully’s studio, Quilpie



Selected Publications

2022     Bell newspaper, front cover
2021     Gympie Living Magazine, 2 page article
2019     Art Edit, Autumn edition. Back cover.
​2014     Australian Artist Magazine, May, June, August. 3 full length articles, Coloured pencils
2014     Artwise Australian Schools Textbook, reference and weblink
2013     Australian Artist Magazine, November. Full length article
2010     Australian Art Collector, Issue 53
​2010     Paradise Magazine, Gold Coast Bulletin, August. Full 2 page article, ‘Delight in the Detail’
2007    Australian Artist Magazine, June. Photo of winning painting
2000    Australian Artist Magazine, August. Full-length article, “Coloured Pencil: the No-Fuss Medium.”
2002    Margaret May Reports, Photograph of portrait painting and short story
2001    Hillcrest Christian College Year Book, Portrait painting of school principal on cover of yearbook


Catalogues
Fabriano in Aquarello catalogues, 2022, 2023
International Watercolour Society catalogue 2013, 2016

Online Publications
Featured artist December 2010. www.colouredpencils.com.au

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Judging Appointments

2022   Woodford Community Art Group
2022   Maryborough Art Society
2021,2022   Watercolour Society of QLD,
Brisbane
​2002   Dalby Art Festival, Dalby
2000   Children’s art competition, 
Network Video Parkwood

Professional Memberships

2021 – Present   Creative Arts Gympie Region
2021- 2023          Botanical Art Society QLD 
2016-present     Flying Arts, accredited membership 
2011-2019          International Watercolour Society
2007-2020        Watercolour Society of QLD
2000-2006       Australian Coloured Pencil Network
2007- 2020       Royal QLD Art Society
2000-2006       Pastel Society of Australia
1999-2006        Coloured Pencil Society of America

Painting Donations

2023   Rotary, Gympie
2022   Gympie Special School
2022   Australian Watercolour Muster fundraiser

2019, 2020  8x8 to Educate
2019   Combat Recovery Charity Ball & Auction
2018   Epilepsy Action Australia
2017   School art auction, Hillcrest Christian College
2013    Riding for the Disabled
2002-2005  Leukemia Foundation Art Auction
2003-2004  Access Arts Champagne Box Auction 
2002   Women at Work, Art Collection


Teaching

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Colour Pencil Drawings
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​About


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  • Home
  • Art Classes & Workshops
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    • Other Media
  • Blog
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    • Original Artwork for Sale
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  • About
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  • STUDENT RESOURCES
    • Art Aids & Downloads
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