June Varey

 We are always on the lookout for something new and exciting. We found it when we received photographs from a painter in Australia. June introduced us to a beautiful style of Russian folk art painting-Khokhloma. Although the designs are painted using a very limited palette, the results are very elegant. We'd like to introduce you to the author.

June always thought she would have a career in art, but when she found herself in the first ever film and TV course in Australia, she said goodbye to her brushes.

After years of living and working in Australia and England, she and her English husband, Ian, settled in Australia to raise a family. In 1988 she discovered folk and decorative painting and has been fascinated by it ever since. At first she taught herself from books, but in 1992 she had the honour of taking her first classes from Jo Sonja, Helan Barrick, Helen Cavin, Linda Wise and Heidi England when Chroma brought them to Australia for week long seminars in various cities.

She had a particular fondness for traditional styles and the influences that played a part in the development of each one. This interest has led her to publish her own Zhostovo pattern packets and her first book on the Khokhloma style, published by Viking Folk Art Publications. However, she paints most styles. For two years in a row, she won all sections-tradtional, decorative and Australiana-in the Royal Melbourne Show. In addition, she was awarded Overall Champion for a Hindeloopen piece.

June has published a number of projects in the Folk Art and Decorative Painting magazine. She teaches classes from her own studio and seminars for various local shops. She has also taught seminars interstate and overseas.

E-mail June at
ivarey@pond.net.au
You can see some of her work at:
http://www.tolenet.com/memberpages.ivarey@bigpond.net.au