Her favourite subject to photograph is the obscure details in nature, things that one might miss if you do not slow down and take a closer look; textures, patterns and contrasts. Caroline also likes to bring these textures, patterns and contrasts into her paintings and drawings.
Caroline has regular exhibitions Australia wide and has established herself as a respected contemporary artist; her art is sort after by local and worldwide collectors.
Also renowned for her murals; community groups and school groups have commissioned Caroline to work on Community Art projects; her murals are dotted across Regional Victoria (please see link at bottom of page for more details). Caroline was involved developing a Mural with the children at Lake Charm Primary School, displaying the local lakes and wetlands in the area. She also completed a series of community art projects with the children of Kerang Primary School. Caroline played a key role in the development of the ‘Learn, Create, Inspire – Sharing Our Story project at Murrabit. She was also involved in the Benjeroop community art project that depicted the meaning of the word Benjeroop, which means ‘Meeting of the Waters’. This artwork displays how three rivers meet at Benjeroop. Some of Caroline’s other community art projects include the Wood Wood – ‘Mallee Country meets River Country’ murals and ‘Springtime in the Mallee’ backdrop at the Fleece and Flower Show.
Caroline enjoys working with children in schools, and as well as the schools already mentioned, Caroline has worked on art programs at Moulamein and Tooleybuc Schools. She has run and continues to be involved in the Kid’s Club at Swan Hill Art Gallery. Caroline’s love of working with children has led her to her current study of her Masters of Education. Caroline continues to share her love of the environment and her creative talents with others through her private art classes and photography workshops run from her Mystic Park Art Gallery.
Caroline has worked on many community environmental programs including being a Green Corps Leader, Landcare and environmental activities in the Grampians. She has a strong interest in protecting, conserving and preserving the environment. Caroline has worked with local community and farmers on developing sustainable farming techniques.
Caroline has a Bachelor of Science. It was at university studying National Park Management and working as an Interpretation Ranger; that her love for nature and capturing “Nature’s Energy” artistically began. Caroline learnt photography on a fully manual Pentax K1000 and then 15 years later embraced the digital age. She now makes use of the post production programs to make her photography more artistic, particularly her wedding photography.
For Caroline science, photography and art all go hand in hand. Some of the themes Caroline paints include the environmental issues facing the environment she lives in; she believes “if you show people the beauty of nature through art they will want to help protect it.” Caroline also likes to pass on this empathy and passion for the natural environment when teaching.
Caroline loves taking photos of weddings, her style encompasses the beauty of the environment in which the bride and groom are photographed in!
Online since 2005 Caroline’s art and photography can be viewed at www.carolineellisart.com and she can be contacted on 0408 500 451. Mystic Park Art Gallery is located 2945 Murray Valley Hwy.
Exhibition History
Solo Exhibitions
April 2014- Swan Hill Regioanl Art Gallery "I Wish"
2012-ongoing Own Gallery Mystic Park
April 2012 Swan Hill Regional Art Gallery "2011 Flood through the Eyes of Artist Caroline Ellis"
Febuary-2012 Sir Gorton Library "Workings behind the Community Flood Murals"
June- 2011 Feature Artist and Judge Swan Hill Anglican Art Show
March-2011 Mystic Park Hotel: "Flood Photos Exhibition"
Nov-2010 Own Gallery, Lake Boga: Desert Life
Oct-2010 Sir Gorton Library Kerang Exhibition Space "Pelicans & Eremophilias"
2009 “Sunsets & the Beautiful Dead” Traveling Exhibition
presented by SHAG
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April Swan Hill Regional Gallery (SHAG)
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May/June Robinvale
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June/July Sir Gorton Library Kerang Exhibition Space
2008 Own Gallery: “Sunsets & Sunny Days” Lake Boga
2007-2008 Murray’s Cellar Door, Swan Hill
2005 Dowling House Community Art Gallery, Swan Hill
2004 Swan Hill Regional Gallery
2003-ongoing Mystic Park Hotel
2003 Williamstown Customs Wharf Gallery, Melbourne: “The Pelican Invasion”
2003 Collingwood Gallery, Melbourne: “The Pelican Invasion” & “The Real & the Surreal”
2002 Gravel House Art Gallery, Kerang
2001 Swan Hill Regional Gallery: “Journey to Lake Eyre”
1998-1999 Own Gallery “Natures Energy” Noosaville, QLD.
1996-1998 Own Gallery “Natures Energy” Peregian Beach, QLD.
1994-1998 Own Gallery “Caroline Packer Photographic Gallery” Rainbow Beach, QLD.
Group Exhibitions
2012- ongoing Eagles Nest Gallery Aireys Inlet
2012- ongoing Victoria Street Gallery: Inverloch & Loch
2012 Queenscliff: "Ashby House"
2012 Ocean Grove: "HLB Frames"
2012 Lorne: "Up Markets"
2008 Ashby House Queenscliff Gallery
2007-ongoing Barham Fine Art Gallery
2007 Alton Gallery Echuca
2006 Dowling House Community Art Gallery, Swan Hill
2004-2005 Manyung Gallery, 1408 Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza, Melbourne
2003-2004 Williamstown Customs Wharf Gallery, Melbourne
2002-2004 Gravel House Art Gallery, Kerang
2002-2003 Colonial Bank Gallery, Bendigo
1994-1999 Other Gallery’s, QLD
Caroline Ellis (PAX) Artist:
Mallee artist Caroline Ellis started her artistic career on Queensland's Sunshine Coast; selling her photography in her own Gallery’s in the 1990’s.
Caroline moved back to her home town and began to professionally sell her oil paintings and drawings in 1999. Caroline has settled and now lives in the Mallee town of Mystic Park; Regional Victoria. She has now established her own gallery at her property.
Caroline and her family have revegetated the property on which they live with native plants. She has an extensive garden of flowering shrubs which feature in some of her art work. Caroline loves to vary the subject matter she paints and photographs; from the Mallee environment she lives in to the coastal lands she still holds dear and visits often.