Meet the Artist - RICHARD RANSON
Behind each bilby is a talented artist, bringing their own creativity, style and story to the Bilby Art Trail. Each artist was invited to transform a bilby into a unique work of art, inspired by their own ideas, experiences and connections.
Meet the artists behind the bilbies and discover the stories, inspiration and creativity behind each one.
a little about Richard
I am a Charleville resident and live here with my wife Sue who is a Charleville girl I met nearly 40 years ago when we were both working in Saudi Arabia. I do not profess to be a professional artist with any great natural ability, but I do have an eye for colour and shapes that has provided me with a good grounding for abstract art, which I have been producing for over 20 years.
I have had a solo exhibition in the Mulga Lands Gallery and also sold online. My finished artworks are essentially complete by the time I hit the canvas with only minor changes needed to some of the colours and shapes.
I believe this method will work well with the bilbies. Essentially, what is designed is what the result will be, with little room for surprises or error.
My inspiration comes from artists and art movements that break the rules, such as the impressionists, Picasso, and the fauvists.
What I really like about painting is that each painting I do is mine, and I am free to experiment without being constrained by rules and regulations.
bluethumb.com.au/richard-ranson/bio
the original concept
Theme: Be Cool! Go with the flow
The intent of my design is to bring life to the Bilby and create the impression of movement even though the Bilby is a static concrete object.
The wavy red and green lines on the side of the body represent legs and help provide the illusion that the Bilby is walking.
This is very much an abstract design, but I have still endeavoured to use colours that reference the Murweh landscape, the red dirt, and the green mulga from the base of the design. Coloured circles have been added to the green strips, with white representing the moon, yellow the sun, black the night, blue the sky, and orange the earth.
Lastly, as Bilbies are cool, and fun, I have given my bilby a stylish pair of sunglasses. Also while not wishing to get caught up in details I have used colours to highlight the ears which many may see as the Bilby trademark.
I hope you like my design which aims to be fun, yet with each part of the design having a special meaning as well as being bright and colourful. I think it will attract attention, help draw attention to the Bilby, and also bring a smile to people of all ages.
Six bilbies. Six artists. One big community story. Follow the Charleville Bilby Art Trail, discover the artwork, capture a photo and help us shine a light on the endangered bilby.
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