I grew up on the main street of Nelson Bay and spent most of my childhood swimming in the old saltwater pool where the Marina now is. I moved to Newcastle following school to study and after a slight diversion into science and education, I came back to my first passion of art. I returned to study wildlife illustration which was offered at the University of Newcastle as an undergraduate course. However, I also found printmaking, so I have a background in printmaking, specialising in lithography and etching & have I been exhibiting since 1989 with 13 solo exhibitions.

Over the years I wore many hats – research assistant, tour guide, teacher & Teacher-in-Charge, and even caretaker. My last role was as the Displays Coordinator where I developed educational brochures, dioramas & displays & signage. These all utilized my various science, education, and art skills.

Looking for more #Anne-MareeHunter originals?

Visit us in the gallery!

Anne-Maree Hunter Instagram

More about Anne-Maree

I continued with my interest with the environment and worked in various capacities in the areas of my previous studies. This included volunteering with what would eventually become The Shortland Wetlands Centre (now known as the Hunter Wetlands Centre).

I continued to study while working and I completed a Ph.D titled “Constructing the Eclectic Bibliothèque” about Books, Libraries and especially Artists’ Books in all their manifestations. In 2005, my work Pillow Book received a finalist award at the 1^st Seoul International Books Arts Competition, and in 2008, I was an invited international artists, showing work and present a paper at the Seongnam International Bookarts Fair and Conference in South Korea.

I have been lecturing in Fine Art, Printmaking & Teacher Education at The University of Newcastle, Australia. Unfortunately, I have recently lost this work due to COVID.

My work has been collected by

State Library of Victoria
State Library of Queensland
Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne, Victoria
Maitland Regional Art Gallery
Monash University Rare Books Collection
Hunter Urban Division of General Practice, Newcastle
The Print Council of Australia
Tasmanian Museum Gallery

Bev McKinnon-Mathews was born and educated in Melbourne, spending time travelling and teaching in Victoria, NSW and London. Bev settled in NSW where she farmed in the North West for 40 years. Since retiring from farming, she has lived in the Hunter Region and now calls Port Stephens home.

I have always been interested in printmaking. After retiring from ceramics (after 35 years potting), the processes and variety of printmaking seemed a natural fit.

Bev McKinnon-Mathews

Looking for more #BevMcKinnonMathews originals?

Visit us in the gallery!

More about Bev

After 35 years of ceramic artistry, Bev’s curiosity into printmaking led her to explore etching on aluminium and zinc in copper sulphate, as well as other printing techniques including drypoint , mono printing, relief printing with lino, and collograph. Printing from nature lead to Gyotaku, which are popular sellers in the gallery!

Bev first saw fish prints in Japan and was fascinated by what seemed like a seemingly simplistic process. After researching, she learned it is quite a time-consuming art form but she dived in anyway (pun intended).

The fine art of fish prints was originally used by fishermen to record their catches and has now become an art all of its own. Prints are made with prepped fish (sourced, cleaned, dried, prepped and supported) before being inked onto special paper.

Bev uses her etched plates of seaweed to create the background and is always on the lookout for interesting fish. Stinker (@stinkerfishing ) is a wonderful resource for interesting finds, as are friends who have had unlucky fish in their tanks.

See that gorgeous little seahorse above? Well he was gifted to Bev from a friend after he died in her fish tank, lucky little guy got to be immortalised in her artwork!