Sunshine Coast Hinterland Times

Montville Art Gallery’s Artist of the Month for October is renowned landscape painter Kevin Penny, who expertly captures the light and atmosphere of our rural vistas.
Born in Brisbane in 1934, Kevin showed talent for art at an early age, but it was not until after he was married that he decided to study art seriously.  He has studied with many notable artists such as Nan Patterson, Charles Heywood and Eric Whisson.  He now has almost 50 years painting experience behind him.
 Kevin is passionate about the Australian Eucalypt.  He seeks out waterholes and creek beds which, together with the eucalypts, characterize the great Australian landscape.
“As a youth, I lived next door to a dairy farm and my paintings are still inspired by memories of those happy years.  Cow bales, old houses and farm sheds are some of my favourite subjects.”
“I also love the grandeur of the eucalypt and the play of light and shadows falling across the gnarled limbs and foliage,” explains Kevin.  “Each knot and lump on the trunks and limbs give such character to these stately trees.”
Included in his current show are some interesting paintings of Sydney Harbour which Kevin completed after a brief visit to Sydney earlier this year.
“Kevin has also included in his selection, some lovely paintings featuring jacaranda trees towering over old homesteads and farm sheds; scenes which are fast disappearing from South East Queensland,” said gallery manager, Lisa Powell.
“Because of Kevin’s accurate and sensitive interpretation of the Australian landscape, many of his paintings are purchased, not only by Australian collectors, but by many international visitors,” added Lisa.
Open daily from 10am to 5pm, Montville Art Gallery is located at 138 Main Street, Montville, opposite the Village Green. You may also like to visit the gallery’s website www.montvilleartgallery.com.au where you can view Kevin’s exhibition paintings from October 1st.