Biography
Paula Wiegmink was born in Zimbabwe and is now based in Dunsborough, South Western Australia. Paula had the privilege of growing up in Africa where she soon developed a love for the bush and abundant wildlife. Her interest in drawing and painting emerged at a very early age. Encouraged by her mother, she started sketching animals on the farm and doing portraits of anyone willing to sit still long enough!
After spending 12 years training in the RAD - Royal academy of Dancing classical ballet method Paula performed with the Rhodesia National Ballet. She taught dancing for 25 years, as well as conducting art classes at a private school in Harare.
After migrating to Johannesburg, South Africa in 1979, she resumed her career teaching classical ballet and modern dance and judged numerous dance festivals, bursaries and competitions. During this time she studied at the Da Vinci Fine Art Studio under the expert guidance of the late Carlo Sdoya. Paula's first exhibited painting, 'Homeward Bound', with the Brush and Chisel Club, was purchased by the South African Railways.
In 1994, Paula immigrated to Perth, Western Australia with her husband and 2 children. Shortly after joining the Canning Arts Group, Paula was invited to exhibit as 'Artist of the Month'. She then went on to conduct the all media night classes for the next 6 years. Her teaching extended to the RAF retirement Village Club where she conducted art classes for 11 years, as well as private tutoring.
2009, Paula launched her first book titled, ‘Footsteps in Time’ a family journey from the earliest of her ancestors arriving in Africa from 1709 - 2009. The book launch coincided with her first major solo art exhibition, ‘The Winds of Change’.
A South African conservation group invited Paula in 2012, to do a large scale painting of a rhino on ‘World Rhino Day’. WESSA (Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) offered their stand as a venue during the ‘Sunday Tribune Garden and Home Show’ at the showgrounds, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Before leaving Australia for South Africa she decided to do a preparatory piece and her painting ‘Tears of the rhino’ – hear my voice was born. This painting emerged from deep within and turned out to be a very confronting image. Paula decided not to sell ‘Tears of the rhino’ but to rather use it as a tool to raise awareness of the global destruction of the rhino species.
Paula donated her time as host and artist in residence for her first African Art Safari to Zimbabwe, in 2013, raising $6000 AUD for the SAVE African Rhino Foundation.
In 2014, Paula’s painting ‘To the point’ of an African pale chanting goshawk was shortlisted for exhibition with the ‘David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year’ in London. Meeting David Shepherd in person on opening night at the Mall Galleries, Mall Street London was the highlight of her trip.
2015, Coolamon Rotary, Australia asked for permission to use the image of ‘Tears of the rhino’ for the international One fight, Unite- SAY NO awareness poster campaign. The poster is being signed by influential high profile people from all over the world. To date those who have signed are: Dr Jane Goodall, Sir David Attenborough, Noam Chompsky, Ricky Gervais among many others. https://www.facebook.com/rages.one.fight.unite/
2015, CEO Graeme Stevenson invited Paula to appear on the television art program ‘Colour in Your Life’ featuring her painting ‘Tears of the rhino’. The CIYL series has now gone global. The painting Paula recreated on the show has been donated to the One Fight Unite cause.
In 2015, the Canadian based ‘Artists for Conservation’ awarded Paula the June monthly honour for outstanding artistic talent and extraordinary contribution to the conservation cause. Paula was invited to exhibit at the 2015, 2016 annual live exhibition in Vancouver, BC where she featured as international guest youth art instructor.
One of Paula's paintings 'Into oblivion' was selected for the 2016 touring exhibition to the Arizona, USA-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) 2016 and then onto the ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’ - Asia-Pacific Tour premiering in Qingdao City China.
Paula hopes to create awareness and draw attention to the fragility of the natural world by expressing her passion for life through the images she creates. While using a multi-layering techniques in various mediums, Paula also enjoys experimenting with texture and colour. She is happiest when surrounded by nature doing what she loves best.
A multi-award winner in oil, pastel, acrylics, watercolour and mixed media, Paula continues to exhibit in both group and solo exhibitions.
Her work is represented in private and corporate collections in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Mozambique, Portugal, America, Canada, England, France, Scotland, Ireland, Japan, Honk Kong, Holland, Germany and Australia.
Support for Conservation:
Paula has supported the following local and international conservation groups by donating paintings or funds to raise funds:
2020 -Save African Rhino Foundation
2019 - Save African Rhino Foundation
2018 - Save African Rhino Foundation
2018 - Baby Rhino Rescue
2018 - Dr Jane Goodall Foundation
2017 - Baby rhino rescue
2017 - Save African Rhino Foundation
2017 - Safe (Save Animals from Euphanasia)
2017 - Sketch for Survival project to raise funds for The Australian Rhino project
2016 - Save African Rhino Foundation
2016 - International Coalition of Rhino Protection WA/Mozambique
2016 - Painted Dog Conservation -Western Australia
2015 - Lionaid - London UK
2015 - Painted Dog Conservation - Western Australia
2015 - Victory for Animals Society -Toronto, BC
2015 - Rages One Fight Unite - UK/Australia
2015 - Numbat Conservation Exhibition Western Australia
2014 - Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species NSW
2014 - Painted Dog Conservation Western Australia
2014 - Save Foundation Western Australia
2013 - Rotarian Action Group NSW
2013 - Save Foundation Western Australia
2013 - Painted Dog Conservation Western Australia
2012 - Rhino Pages launch South Africa
2012 - Silvery Gibbon Project Western Australia
2011 - Painted Dog Conservation Perth WA
2011 - Zimbabwe Wild Life Fund Western Australia
2011 -Telethon Art Auction Western Australia
2010 - Painted Dog Conservation Western Australia
2010 - Painted Dog Conservation Western Australia
Special Achievements:
President:
- Alfred Cove Art Society 2012- 2013
International selection for collaborative exhibition:
- 2019 - Artist’s for Conservation -Artist’s for Conservation
- 2018 - Artist’s for Conservation -Silent Skies Collaborative Mural Project, Van Dussens Garden, Vancouver BC. 4 x endangered bird species
- 2017 - Selected for exhibition- Artist’s for Conservation ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’ - 'Mulga Branch' acrylic
- 2017 - Selected for live exhibition - Artist’s for Conservation ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’ - Asia-Pacific Tour premiering in Qingdao City China 'Into oblivion'
- 2017 - Selected for live exhibition - Artist’s for Conservation ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’ - Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, USA 'Into oblivion'
- 2016 - Selected for live exhibition - Artist’s for Conservation ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’ - Vancouver, Canada ‘Into Oblivion' - acrylic/ 'Precious Moments' oil
- 2015 - Selected for live exhibition - Artist’s for Conservation ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’ - Vancouver, Canada – 'To the point'
- 2014 - Shortlisted to exhibit with the David Shepherd Foundation ‘Wildlife Artist of the Year’ London’, UK 'To the point'
- 2014 - Selected for exhibition- Artist’s for Conservation ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’ Mumbo Jumbo’ / ‘African Wild Dog’
Solo Exhibitions:
- 2016 - Pullman Resort, Bunker Bay, Western Australia
- 2014 -Wills Domain Gallery, Yallingup, Australia - ‘Cinnabar’
- 2012 - Silk Road Cafe, Perth, Western Australia
- 2011 - Colourlust Artspace - ‘Silent Reverie’
- 2011 - Innovations Interior Decorators - ‘Things and People of South Africa’
- 2011 - 2014 Century 21 Real Estate
- 2010 - Innovations Interior Decorators -‘Celebration of Africa’
- 2010 - West Pac Bank - by invitation
- 2009 - Atwell gallery - ‘Winds of Change’ in conjunction with book launch - ‘Footsteps in Time’
- 1996 - Canning Art Centre - Featured Artist Corner for a month
Featured Artist:
- 2016 - Monet gallery for January
- 2015 - 'Colour in your life' television program, Australia
- 2014 - Atwell Gallery - Wildlife Artist
- 2014 - Featured Artist of the day Saatchi Art online
Awards:
-
2018 - Baby Rhino Rescue - winner of 'Best environmental message' -'Hand in hand we can' acrylic on canvas
- 2017 - Baby Rhino Rescue - winner of 'Best environmental message' -'Hand in hand we can' acrylic on canvas
- 2016 - artavita - Certificate of excellence
- 2015 - June AFC honours for artistic excellence and extraordinary dedication to conservation -a
- 2015 - Minawarra - People’s choice - ‘Don’t stare Angus’ - acrylic
- 2014 - Shortlisted to exhibit with the David Shepherd Foundation ‘Wildlife Artist of the Year’ in London’, UK
- 2013 - City of Canning Centennial Perpetual Trophy best exhibit in drawing and painting
- 2013 - Clifton Art Award - In the top 10 Perth Finalists
- 2013 - Queensland Wildlife Art Society - Gold Medal - ‘African Painted Dog’
- 2012 - Melville Community Arts Awards of Excellence - effective Use of Colour- ‘Sweeping Landscape’
- 2012 - Pastel Society WA Awards - Best 9x5 -‘Summers Day’
- 2011 - Canning Agricultural Show - 1st + Champion exhibit ‘African painted Dog’ - acrylic/oil
- 2011 - Alfred Cove Art Society Awards of Excellence - HC ‘African Painted Dog’ + People’s choice
- 2011 - Melville Community Arts Awards of Excellence - Best in Show - ‘Who’s the Boss?’- oil on canvas
- 1998 - Canning Agricultural Show - Best Single Exhibit - most points - blue Ribbon
Presentations:
- 2015 - Invited to co-present children’s workshops, Grouse Mountain Vancouver, Canada
- 2014 - Lunchtime in the gallery - Atwell Gallery - ‘My passion for painting Wildlife’
- 2014 - Willetton Rotary Group ‘African Art Safari and orphanage/subsistence fishing village presentation ‘
- 2011- Rotary Empangeni, Kwa Zulu, Natal, South Africa - book presentation - ‘Footsteps in Time’
Judging:
- Canning Art Award WA
- Zimbabwe Save mana Pools Logo Competition Zimbabwe
- Canning Agricultural Show
- Perth Agricultural Show
Designs:
- 1999 - Designed the numbat logo for the 40th Annual Conference of the AVSA Murdoch University 'Way out West'
- 1997 - Design winner for the RAAFA stain glass window display for the Village Chapel representing WAFFA
Illustrations & Publications:
- 2019 - Artists for conservation International Exhibit of Nature in Art - 'Splendour of the Namib' Oil on canvas
- 2018 - Artists for conservation International Exhibit of Nature in Art - 'Catch of the Day' & 'Black-breasted buzzard' oil on canvas
- 2017 - Artists for conservation International Exhibit of Nature in Art -‘Mulga branch' – acrylic on canvas
- 2017 - CD cover 'Red Cloud' – for musician Katie J. White
- 2017 - Featured artist in Rhino Images - Art and the Rhinoceros – ebook to raise funds for Rhino conservation
- 2017 - Creative Artists publication no18 June – featured artists and demo.
- 2016 - Art imitates life - Busselton Dunsborough Times - Studio Gallery portrait exhibition
- 2016 - Artists for conservation International Exhibit of Nature in Art -‘Into Oblivion' - acrylic/ 'Precious Moments' - oil
- 2016 - Scoop Homes & Gardens no 47 - Featured artist with The Studio Gallery, Yallingup, Western Australia
- 2015 - Busselton Dunsborough Mail - Artist takes on worldwide problem with a paintbrush
- 2015 - Featured Artist - television art program - 'Put some Colour In Your Life '
- 2015 - Utube - Colour In Your Life - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgcXE7_4K08
- 2015 - 'One Fight Unite' selected 'Don't stare Angus' as the face of online lifestyle Chanel
- 2015 - Artists for conservation International Exhibit of Nature in Art - ‘To the point’ - acrylic
- 2015 - Busselton Dunsborough Mail -‘Art auction for rhinos’
- 2015 - Busselton Dunsborough Mail - ‘Art with a message’
- 2014 - Artists for Conservation - ‘International Exhibit of Nature in Art’- ‘Mumbo Jumbo’ / ‘African Wild Dog’
- 2014 - Artists Palette magazine No 130 - Artists and Photographers African Safari
- 2013 - Canning Times - ‘Paula’s African Art Safari’
- 2013 - Children's book - 'Albert's Bad Day' - Author: Paul Ashford Harris - Illustrations: Paula Wiegmink
- 2013 - Artists Palette magazine No 116 - Insight article and demonstration
- 2013 - Atwell Gallery and Art Centre - A snap shot look at our gallery in 2012
- 2012 - Sunday Times Newspaper - Feature article immigrant’s contribution to Australia
- 2010 - Afriqan Times Magazine - feature article ‘Phenomenal Woman’
- 2009 - Author & illustrator of ‘Footsteps in Time’
Events:
- 2018 -Invited artist in residence with the Studio Gallery, Yallingup Western Australia during Open Studio annual event
- 2017 - Invited artist in residence with the Studio Gallery, Yallingup Western Australia during Open Studio annual event
- 2016 - Invited artist in residence with the Studio Gallery, Yallingup Western Australia during tube stock sale
- 2016 - Invited artist in residence with the Studio Gallery, Yallingup Western Australia during the MROS Open Studio annual event
- 2015 - Featured Artist - television art program - Put some Colour In Your Life
- 2015 - ‘Tears of the rhino’ painting used as the face of the Rages One. Fight. Unite. Say No international poster campaign to raise funds for rhino conservation. Signed by Dr Jane Goodall, Sir David Attenborough, Seal, Brian May, Dr Dame Sheldrick, Kevin Richardson among others.
merica, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Japan.