Artists Win with Tafe Studies

ARTY SUCCESS: Jet Blurton, Yvonne Moloney, Della Stokes and Karen Jones celebrate their recognition at the 2008 Capricorn Coast Rotary Art Festival in May.

FOUR CQ TAFE art students and graduates were recognised at this year’s Capricorn Coast Rotary Art Festival. Karen Jones won first prize in the Print section, Jet Blurton was named Emerging Artist and won a Commended, Yvonne Moloney received a Highly Commended in the Drawing section and Della Stokes received a Commended in the Print section.

Karen and Jet have almost completed their Diplomas in Visual Arts at CQ TAFE. Della and Yvonne have already graduated with their Diplomas.

Karen’s first prize was for her triptych screenprint called Latitude 23, featuring aerial landscapes of Australia – a reef, an estuary and a desert. She has enjoyed her two years at TAFE. “Although I waited until I was in my 40s it’s something I always wanted to do,” she said. “There are some advantages to studying after you have been working for a while because you know what you want to do and you are focused.”

Jet, who runs his own studio Jet James, specialises in printmaking. “The knowledge and skills that I have gained at TAFE I have been able to use in my work. It gives it a sense of professionalism as well as opening up directions in the creative industry,” he said. “I enjoy the atmosphere at TAFE; I love experimenting and learning new things.” Jet is building his name through networking, by entering competitions and generating sales by exhibiting. “It’s just a matter of getting your work out there and having a go.” Jet’s father was an artist, and he attributes his life as a teenager on an isolated cattle station with setting him on the pathway to a life of art.

Yvonne enjoyed the flexibility TAFE offered to complete her Diploma of Visual Arts, with a double major in Printmaking and Painting. “I took a bit longer because I had small children so I stretched it out. I wouldn’t have been able to do it otherwise,” she said. Although Yvonne has finished her assessment, she still comes back to TAFE to access the studio and get advice from teachers. “The teachers are brilliant. They provide great support and push you out of your comfort zone. Without that support you can become a bit stagnant.”

Della also did a double major in Printmaking and Painting. “I loved it … it really brought me out of my shell and gave me confidence because I had none before I started,” she said. “It showed me how to go out and not be afraid of what other people think and to do my own thing.” Della is studying Major Studio Practice at TAFE to give her the skills to set up her own studio. To find out more about CQ TAFE’s visual arts programs, call 1300 CQ TAFE (1300 27 8233).