Upcoming exhibition at Vancouver Arts Centre to showcase latest work from Mt Barker artist Andy Dolphin

Following a two-year hiatus, Mt Barker artist Andy Dolphin is back with an upcoming exhibition fresh off wins at this year’s Wagin Woolorama and Mt Barker Creative Doors Celebration.

A painter for more than 20 years, Dolphin has recently returned to plein air painting and is gathering works to be featured in his first solo exhibition, Capturing Light.

The exhibition will feature studio and plein air pieces in which light plays the central role.

“It’s really exciting ... I can’t explain it,” Dolphin said.

“I’ve been in so many exhibitions with other artists so that aspect isn’t new, but to go out on my own, that’s a new experience which required a little bit more organising than I’m used to.”

Dolphin will be showcasing mostly landscape and still life works from the past 12 months.

After leaving his job just as COVID-19 hit, Dolphin was able to put more focus into his creative journey.

“Over the last year I’ve had time to get back to painting ,” he said.

“In October I went to a painting festival in Mandurah that was amazing. We had 150 artists painting outdoors, that gave me a boost and I’ve been painting non-stop since then.

“This exhibition is a natural combination of that. I’ve got to do something with all these paintings.”

Last weekend, Dolphin took out first prize in the oil and acrylic category at Wagin Woolorama.

Dolphin’s painting Great Southern Light showed sheep grazing around a white gum in the morning light.

The artist was invited to paint at a property in Quaelup, west of Kojonup, in January.

“I liked the shape this tree created and the way the light fell across it,” Dolphin said.

“For the larger studio painting, I added some sheep to give it a better sense of place.

“Woolorama always attracts a high standard of entries from around the State, so I am really pleased with the win.”

Adding another feather to his cap, Dolphin also won an award at the inaugural Mt Barker Creative Doors Celebration earlier this year.

Winning the most popular door category, Dolphin’s door was inspired by an outdoor scene not far from his home depicting a farm track among the trees.

“It worked out so well, the moment I chose it, I just loved that door and as it turned out the community agreed with me,” Dolphin said.

As a plein air artist, Dolphin often paints on location “on the side of the road or the middle of a farm somewhere”.

Dolphin’s solo exhibition will be showing at Vancouver Arts Centre in the Main Gallery.

On show for two weeks from March 27, the gallery will be open from 10am-3pm daily.