Artist Tricia Reust in pursuit of ‘the one’

SHE’S painted over portraits of Phil ‘Gus’ Gould and Andrew Symonds to create her latest Bald Archy Prize work, but Tricia Reust says she still hasn’t created “the one”.

Clontarf artist Tricia Reust will show her work at Redcliffe this month. Photo: Dominika Lis

TRICIA Reust is an award-winning artist who has made the finals of the Bald Archy Prize 12 times, but she still hasn’t created “the one”.

The Clontarf resident, who is renowned for her mixed media works, is compelled to paint or draw every day in her home studio.

Tricia says she’s not inspired, but “has to do it” otherwise she reckons she’s not a very nice person. Her husband even gives her room when she disappears into her workspace.

“I just get totally lost in it,” she explains.

“It’s the same when athletes say they’re in the zone. I don’t feel when I’m in it. I’m just in it.”

It’s a calling that will continue to drive her pursuit of “the one”.

“I haven’t created the piece yet. I haven’t created something that says what I want to say yet,” she says.

If she had to guess what that piece might be, she says it might be a portrait of renowned Redcliffe Aboriginal artist Michael Connolly.

He has sat for her a number of times during the past six years, and she wants to create a work that tells his story and that of Aboriginal people.

Tricia Reust's Bald Archy submission Snakes in the House.

In the meantime, her latest Bald Archy piece, Snakes in the House, is touring Australia and pokes fun at the dual citizenship crisis that has embroiled federal Parliament.

The ultimate recycler created it on a canvas which was previously portraits of rugby league’s Phil ‘Gus’ Gould and cricketer Andrew Symonds.

In most cases, Tricia says she has no qualms about cleaning off the canvases and starting again.

“I’m just always ready for the next one,” she explains. But there are exceptions. These include a painting of her husband and works inspired by her children and family.

Tricia loves portraiture. “I’ve never met a person that I haven’t seen something that I want to capture,” she explains.

“If I know them, I have to admire them. If I don’t know them, I just walk up to people and ask if they will sit for me.”

Tricia believes artists need to practise and do exercises to hold onto their skills.

Artwork by Clontarf artist Tricia Reust. Photo: Dominika Lis

Her next exhibition, titled Exercises, Experiments and Leftovers, is a tribute to that.

It’s on show at The Old Fire Station Community Arts and Volunteer Hub gallery from September 5 to October 1.

Tricia says creating mixed media art is about experimenting with new items, concepts and glazes. But only the successful ones will be on show, the ghosts of paintings past will be hidden underneath.

And the leftovers? They are those works she can’t bear to paint over that hold a special place in her heart.

Artwork by Clontarf artist Tricia Reust. Photo: Dominika Lis

EXHIBITION DETAILS

Exercises, Experiments and Leftovers

Where: The Old Fire Station Community Arts and Volunteer Hub gallery, Redcliffe.

When: Official opening, September 8, 2pm. The exhibition is on from September 5-October 1.