Meet Sally
Quote, “Each piece I create is an adventure which often introduces me to a new technique making that artwork unique.
In these times of a worldwide pandemic, global warming plus war in some parts of the world I think it is refreshing to escape to the beauty of our natural countryside and appreciate the wildlife it supports. As humans we need to have a focus on preserving our planet and not just using its resources until nothing remains. Thus the focus of my art is:- Our beautiful planet Earth and it’s native creatures.” Says Sally
Fine Artist Sally McLean has always been a creative person and took Art as a subject in her final years of school where she developed a particular love for the way pastels blend. After leaving school she channeled her creativity into being an Engineering Draftsperson and took a few classes at the Brisbane Institute of Art in the early 1980’s.
In 2005, with her family now grown, Sally began classes with artist Janet Ann Skinner where she gained experience working with oil, pastels and charcoal by attending weekly classes for two years. Her oil painting skills were further enhanced by attending a workshop run by award winning artist Graham W Smith.
Sally continued to refine her skills through attending untutored life drawing classes as well as a painting group run by artist Jacqueline Hill. In 2008 Sally attended photography classes at the Brisbane College of Photography and Art and completed a Masterclass Portraiture workshop at Brisbane Artists Academe run by Archibald finalist Fu Hong. Sally has also participated in a two day pastel seascape workshop run by artist Regina Hona and a one day watercolour workshop run by artist Pat Hall.
Some of Sally’s more recent work in acrylics was influenced by online classes developed by Artist De Gillet Cox.
Sally’s awards include:
- Exhibition RDA 2005 2nd prize pastel for Whisper
- Brookfield Art Show 2008 – Best Pastel for Noosa Pelicans
- Brookfield Art Show 2008 – Highly Commended Pastel Early Morning Lake Cootharaba
- Brookfield Art Show 2009 - Commended Pastel Gilded Quills
- She has exhibited at the Brookfield Show 2006, 2008 and 2009, the Royal Queensland Show (RNA) 2006, and Graydon Gallery 2008.
- Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Award Finalist 2010 – Gilded Quills SOLD
- Archibald Entrant 2019
In the past Sally created a niche producing pastel pet portraits by commission and now has portraits hanging in homes all around Australia. Sally currently works mainly in acrylics as she enjoys it’s versatility and the exciting mixed media which can be used with it such as texture paste, gold leaf and glitter.
Sally is based in Thorneside Brisbane Australia and has a small studio at home where she paints and runs art classes for adults. Sally has enjoyed sharing her love of creating art by running art classes for the last 15 years.
Sally’s art works are inspired by nature particularly Native Australian animals.
Sally has artworks hanging in homes, offices and children's bedrooms, nurseries and playrooms all around Australia and Worldwide.