Melbourne-based artist Antoinette Murray (maiden name Ferwerda) creates large-scale acrylic paintings (some 3 metres long!) for corporate offices and private homes… but it’s her works on paper that have caught my eye recently. These more delicate works explore mixed media, using acrylic paints, airbrush textas, splattered ink and metallic highlights. Super simple, but so striking and pretty.
Antoinette originally studied Graphic Design at RMIT, but spent 13 years working in the pharmaceutical industry, balancing her art practice with a corporate career. Eventually after many years selling her paintings to friends, family and clients, Antoinette took the plunge, and launched her business, Ferwerda Art, under which name she now creates a great variety of work – from paintings and works on paper, to vibrant painted palm pods, and wall murals which combine collage and paint.
Antoinette is based in Hampton in Melbourne, where she worked from her home studio, often happily interrupted by kids Tehya (5) and Lawson (3).
Antoinette’s work can be commissioned directly (contact via her website), or found at retail stockists including Assembly Hall in Willimstown, Page 8 in Hampton, Something Different in Rockhampton, and Stone and Grain in Ocean Grove, Victoria.
