Fi Wilkie

Fi Wilkie is a Painter based in Margaret River where she has lived and worked for over 25 years.

Painting is all about the process for me. I’m what would be called an intuitive painter. My process typically starts with a random mess of colour and mark making and then I select and activate certain areas to develop my composition. At the start, I don’t know what I will create although I have been working with the same theme of Banksia Bushland for a few years now. My carefully considered shapes and marks are part of my own visual language and all start from close observation using my sketchbook, drawing with a variety of mediums and drawing from memory. I use this reliable process to filter down what I understand about a plant or animal and slowly the way the subject looks - becomes part of my visual alphabet. Starting a painting can be a little scary - so I developed this approach to suit my temperament. I like to take time to play as I paint and to experiment as I go, I also like the surprise that comes at the end when I feel that the work is complete. This is what keeps me coming back to the studio. The not knowing - rather than the knowing.

Fi has a print Gallery upstairs of Mukau Giftware and Gallery in Cowaramup, Open 7 days.

Fi Is participating in the 2021 Margaret River Region Open Studios. For more information on the opening hours of her studio visit: https://www.mrropenstudios.com.au/member/fi-wilkie?rq=Fi%20Wilkie.