Stephanie Powell is a multi-award winning visual artist and fashion designer. After completing an associate diploma in fashion design she went on to do a variety of courses including sculpture, pottery on the wheel, life drawing and cartooning. Stephanie is passionate about the environment and often uses recycled materials in her work. She often creates artworks that have a sense of character and whimsy.

I grew up in NYC on Roosevelt Island and currently reside in Woodside, Queens. I studied the visual arts throughout my childhood and formally trained in theatrical scenic and lighting design. Shortly before dropping out of graduate school I had returned to my roots in photography and painting something serious and abruptly altered my path. I hocked my trade for several years by lighting plays and painting scenery deep in the trenches of Off-Broadway, some TV and Summer Stock and toured nationally many times over with actors and jazz musicians all the while taking advantage of those opportunities to refine my visual acuity.

The past decade I have worked primarily as a teaching artist in schools and for charitable organizations throughout the city. In 2007 I founded the photography program at the Harlem Children’s Zone triggering my further immersion into candid portraiture whereas for nearly six years after I ran an art and photography program for adults with moderate to severe developmental disabilities during the course of which I realized there were many shared visual commonalities as well as restrictions. That discovery forced me to radically transform my own work and spend the subsequent years producing a new series of mixed media paintings. To date there are eleven pieces.

Determination is an essential characteristic of the artist whose work evolves from experimentation. By using unorthodox methods and unconventional materials chance plays a major, exciting role, but you have to know how to use the chance, how to recognise it. Chance, when understood properly, still involves discipline.

Sharon Lam is a Melbourne artist who has a Bachelor of Design Studies (Graphic Design) from the Queensland College of Art, as well as degrees in Information Science and Building Design.

The media she usually works in are watercolours, colour pencils and oils. Sharon likes to capture human emotion and portray complex feelings as simplified art.

"Painting has always been my passion. I received my Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from Pakistan in 1993. Following my education, I found myself spending some extraordinary years in Paris. Paris left its impact on my soul. I breathed art and took every opportunity to enhance my artistic abilities by enrolling in different art courses such as water colours, porcelain painting, silk painting and visiting galleries, museums, cultural and fashion shows.

My journey through France and the rest of Europe, combined with my South Asian heritage has produced within me a myriad of thoughts ready to burst forth in colour on canvas.

Although I love all mediums, oils and acrylics are my favourite, especially using the palette knife to create interesting textures. I approach each piece intuitively and manipulate the colour into a spontaneous visual form which brings up unspoken feelings in the viewer's mind..." - Ayesha Gillani

Kerrie Wilson is a Sydney based artist.

Kerrie takes inspiration from the sea, marine life, rainforests and the coast. Her background in marine biology informs her artworks.

She works mainly with acrylics, inks and pen, and using spray and drip techniques.  She enjoys experimenting with texture and colour, using multi-layering techniques in various mediums, styles and subjects.

Her paintings showcase vibrancy of colour and abstract style in a delightful manner.

"I’m a creative person and love everything creative: painting, crafting, pottery, interior decorating, and vegetable curving. Among all forms of creative things; painting attracts me the most – it gives me a wide open space to explore, freedom to create and fills me with sense of satisfaction.

My inspirations are the beauty of nature I come across: whether it is a painting, a photograph, scene of a movie or TV show, or a place I been to. Interesting subject leads to the next work and inspires me to create something different, try new technique, and use different materials. My intention behind every painting is to capture the moment, bring it to life, and take it one step forward from the previous work!

I’ve explored through different media in my life: pencil, pen, water colour, pastel, oil and acrylic paints. In the beginning I used basic colours and gradually learnt about different shades. I started with flat drawing and over the years have mastered the technique of creating texture. Colour brush, spatula and hand are the tools I’ve used so far. I love to learn about different techniques and use of materials artists practice now days and try to use every possible thing I can think about in my works. Till now I’ve used Texture Paste, tissue paper, brown paper, and few natural elements.

Art completes me. Every work of mine is a symbol of complete dedication of time, devotion of self and involvement of emotion." - Fariba Hassan

Maxine Collins lives in the Hills area of Sydney, Australia. She has won many awards for her beautiful depiction of Australian and international landscape.

"For many years I have been exploring the creative possibilities of watercolours and acrylics. I love the freedom of expression that acrylics bring, and the often unexpected effects of watercolours. 

 I have exhibited in mainly local shows during that time, and have won several awards. 

I am inspired by the beauty of flowers, of native flora and fauna, and of the landscape, whether it's Australian or of other countries."

Marco Britti was born in Rome (Italy) and, after having lived in London for almost ten years, migrated to Australia.

Marco has been drawing and painting, mainly with oil pastels, oil and acrylic paints, pencils, ink and charcoal from a very young age.

He has exhibited in a dozen group shows around Sydney and 3 solo shows. He has been a finalist in the North Sydney Art Prize (1995) and the Warringah Art Prize (2013). His work has also featured in the Oxford Art Prize, the Pyrmont Art Prize and the Sydney Art show.

“I mostly portray images of people in their moments of simplicity, such as the ‘Piano Bar’ which was painted from the perspective of an onlooker watching from the balcony, but I also draw and paint still-lifes and abstracts.  Through colours, light, or simply a few black lines, I long for harmony and balance.”  Marco Britti describes his “Round Bar” series as “four strangers at a bar, hoping for a chance meeting. The exact storyline is for the viewer’s imagination, but I aim for a mysterious mood, using strong contrasting colours, light and thick black outlines.” 

"Coming from a background in photography and design, it is perhaps not surprising that my dalliance with the medium of printmaking should have turned into such a passion that I have devoted many years to it. 

 I love the controlled chaos of the metal+acid+intent equation, and am hugely attracted to the seemingly limitless ways traditional techniques, processes and materials can be manipulated and coerced into making unique works of contemporary art." Jennifer Hardwick

"Having worked as a Graphic Designer for decades overseas and in Australia, Illustrations and Paintings have always been part of my life.

Originally from Germany, I moved to Australia with my husband over 12 years ago. I painted as a creative outlet to cope with the changes of a new lifestyle in this amazing new country. The Australian light and colours are completely different to the ones in Europe. The challenging medium of Watercolours really grew on me. I enjoy the spontaneous fresh and unpredictable outcome of this medium.

I use transparent watercolour paints on paper in a traditional way and constantly explore new ways to express myself. I also work on commissioned paintings.

Sydney based, I have attended several Group Exhibitions and sold paintings in Australia and overseas. " - Ricarda Engelhardt

Lesleyanne Kilkeary is Sydney based artist. She shares her artistic experience with AAD Gallery…

“I have been interested in painting & drawing & the visual arts from a very early age, however, the factors of living hampered exploring too much. Then about 10 years ago I had a strong urge to recommence painting. I started with botanical art (studying at the Botanical Gardens & scientific illustration at Macquarie University) I got to a point where I wanted to “loosen” up and explore acrylics and other media.

I have attended numerous workshops & art weekends, and commenced art classes. With a few “recommendations” and sales under my belt I want to explore more about texture & colour, leaning at the moment, towards abstract and semi-abstract compositions. The juxtaposition of colours excite me and influence my bright palette.”