Let's introduce you to one of our Artists.

DENNIS MARSHALL

Dennis lives in Encounter Bay and has four adult children, along with seven grandchildren. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Physical Education and has devoted nearly 40 years to working as a teacher, counselor, and school leader in State High Schools and Area Schools.

In his words: "I am self-taught, with no significant historical skills. Art was a school subject where my ‘creative juices’ and ‘obtuse mind’ struggled to respond to a traditional, overcrowded classroom approach. I haven't had formal instruction and have relied on ‘trial and error’ to develop my style in ‘baby steps,’ taking measured risks as I go along. I began to dabble with watercolors in my 40s and have casually worked on my art on and off since then. For this retired person, art has provided a way to make new social connections while being ‘anchored in heaven’s waiting room.’

My first pieces were ‘great’ only in my mind; they look dismal when I reflect on them now. I kept many of my earlier works, and I can see a nice progression over time. Like most artists, I am my own worst critic, but I persist and strive to move forward. - As a ‘pen and wash’ watercolourist, I am content to stay and develop in that field. Other mediums would distract and delay my work within my enjoyable but arguably ‘narrow domain.’ Still, we must have the freedom in art to suit ourselves, and the satisfaction and validation must start within us, don’t you think?

What sets my work apart from other artists is my enjoyment of the marketing aspect of art. I participate in the V.H. Beachside Market every two weeks, which has turned into a busy little cottage hobby, involving a lot of background work before, during, and after each market. It is an evolving ‘work in progress,’ and public feedback is gratifying.

I am the Treasurer and a member of the ‘Painters of the Flinders Ranges,’ and we exhibit each year at the Wilpena Station Woolshed in September. I manage to sell a few pieces annually and have started to understand what visitors enjoy buying. As the least experienced member of this group, I still get to enjoy a nice mini-holiday.

I find inspiration in capturing aspects of our built and natural environment. I realize that I am not alone in appreciating our connections, particularly our built rural and urban history, usually expressed through man-made structures. Some of my early works around Glenelg depict buildings that progress has consumed. I appreciate being an ‘accidental historian.’ This more architectural work triggers pleasant memories and joy for many people, and the positive feedback I receive is always a delight.

My ‘pen and wash’ process is fairly typical: I start with a subject, create a pencil sketch, apply light pen, paint, and then do touch-ups with the pen. I make sure to copy (JPEG) and print my work, framing it as needed. I maintain a full image history library of my work, which I jokingly say might be used in a PowerPoint presentation at my funeral! I aim to present work at various levels of affordability, especially for the market crowd who may not typically buy art. Therefore, greeting cards and framed and unframed prints dominate that scene. My mantra is ‘Take Art to the People’—affordable and ready to use.

Over the years, I have also completed individual commissions, primarily of people's homes and well-known historical buildings. I always consider the sales potential of subjects unless they are found during my travels. Urban sketching has become a wonderful pastime for the leisurely elderly! I have transitioned to creating more local pieces, facing my fear of water in the process. I have even channeled my creativity into sea glass art pieces, combining them with watercolors for a three-dimensional look—an enjoyable diversion and a variation for the market.

Progression of steps to finished product

Milang South Australia 2025