Ainsley McPherson
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​ About 30 years ago I took up oil painting, after having done ceramics as I wanted to further my knowledge in painting.
 
Later I joined the Victorian folk art society which enabled me to find different teachers, to learn from in all mediums, I also completed their Teachers Development Program. I started teaching Folk Art originally after friends kept asking me to show them how to paint, this of course led to decorative art and then fine art.
 
I started painting animals after my brother’s girlfriend asked could I paint a picture of his dog for a present, so I started not sure how I was going to tackle the fur on his Beautiful German Shepherd, it turned out very well so I started to paint other animals, I try to show their personalities especially in their eyes.
 
I have taught at conventions in Vic. and Qld. had six paintings published in the Fine Art & Decorative Painting magazine with step by step instructions, and won various prizes in the Royal Melbourne Show, Dandenong Show, Lilydale Show, Emerald Show, the Fraser coast show, Bendigo Show, St Marys, and at Kyneton, Avoca, Emerald and Woodend.
 
I love painting animals as they have so much character, so many are becoming extinct I feel it is important to capture them in paintings for future generations, I also love doing commissions of peoples pets.
 
I work in acrylic, watercolour, pastels, coloured pencil, pen and ink or oils.