Drawing Attention To Nature with Ronelle Reid

A champion of endangered animals, Ronelle Reid is a Brisbane based artist who works in watercolour pencil, ink & oil paints.

As a regular customer of Arthouse Northside we sat down with her to find out a little bit more about her artistic practice:

Arthouse: Describe your artwork. Do you have a specific style that you’re known for?

Ronelle: I am inspired by my love of animals, I use ink, oils and watercolours to create detailed, visual narratives that explore the relationships between animals and their habitats.

My style is a combination of colourful, naturalist style, and quirky compositions that pair species who don’t coexist or share habitats. In doing so, I draw attention to the inter-connectedness between species and invite viewers to see how they are being forced to adapt in rapidly changing ecosystems, or risk extinction.

Why are fish happily swimming through the antlers of a bongo antelope? Or butterflies fluttering around a moray eel?

Arthouse: What made you start creating?

Ronelle: I can’t remember a time I wasn’t creating art. But I decided in 2018 to really push myself to be a professional artist.

Arthouse: What is your preferred medium?

Ronelle: I can’t choose between watercolour pencils or oil paint they are both fantastic but so different. I tend to have a number of works on the go at any one time so it is good to have different things happening in the studio to work on.

Arthouse: What is your preferred subject matter?

Ronelle: I have and will always love to paint and draw animals.

Arthouse: Who has been most influential to your artwork?

Ronelle: My father, he took me to art classes as a kid, build me drawing tables and easels and made sure I followed my dream encouraging me in my creative pursuits.

Arthouse: What part of being an artist do you love and what do you find most difficult?

Ronelle: I love being able to dream something up in my head and then create that vision on to paper or canvas. I remember in a conference I attended where Cory Huff said that artists are like magicians. I have to say I don’t like the constant hustle for your next bit of income.

Arthouse: If you could give your artist self in your past some advice what would it be?

Ronelle: Learn the business side of the art world and also don’t take yourself too seriously, enjoy the art making and learning process.

Arthouse: What question would you like to ask one of your artist hero’s? Who would it be?

Ronelle: This is a hard one. I think I would ask Josh Keyes what comes first- the story he wants to tell or the elements of the composition?

Arthouse:What is the most valuable tool in your studio?

Ronelle: It would have to be my brush cleaner. I don’t use any solvents so this stuff really gives my brushes that extra life.

Arthouse: What are you working on at the moment?

Ronelle: Having just finished my Urban Menagerie series for Logan Art gallery I am starting to compose a new body of work, it is at the research and development of ideas stage, but look out for a big fish in my future.