A word from the artist

I have spent my life drawing and painting, watercolour being my favourite medium, initiated by my studies of Chinese brush painting as a child in Malaysia.

I love bright bold colours and the fluid, spontaneous nature of watercolour.

I have always had a strong affiliation with animals and have always wanted to protect and nurture them.  I would collect stray, lost or injured animals as a child, giving my parents no choice about my growing wild & domestic collection. I have discovered that I can use my art to help influence conservation by informing and/or raising money to assist worthy organisations.

My life is not complete if I do not have a dog by my side.

I currently have 3 dogs, I always have company in my studio.

I generally start a painting in a period of quiet contemplation thinking about composition and colour.

I develop a bond or understanding with my subject as I study and paint it.

I fall into a place of quiet feeling where time & thinking disappear. I become swept up in the unrestrained flow of the paint.

Painting for me is a passion and a precious way to portray beautiful souls and to bring the same pleasure and peace to my viewer. 

My environment is generally my source of inspiration be it human form, animals, plants, scenes and or objects collected on my walks with my dogs.

Biography

Alix O’Neil was born in Malaysia to Scottish parents who managed a rubber plantation.

As a child Alix constantly drew and painted. Her other love was animals and she would sneak stray and injured animals home to add to her menagerie. Art, animals and conservation have always played an important part in Alix’s life.

Alix studied Chinese brush painting in Malaysia where her passion for watercolour was born. She was accepted into the Glasgow College of Building and Printing. After completing her education in Scotland, she travelled and worked in Europe before moving to Sydney in 1990, she has recently moved to Agnes Water, QLD acquiring 4 acres of paradise, bringing her even closer to nature.

Worried about the threat and rate of extinction to our planet’s flora and fauna Alix has discovered that as an ‘Artivist” she can contribute to conservation through her paintings. She helps to inform her viewer about Australian fauna & flora.

Alix does not limit herself to one medium and explores many subjects including the human form.

Alix enjoys mastering the translucent and fickle nature of watercolour and adores colour and the way watercolour can create such striking effects.

She is a member of Hazelhurst Art Gallery, Sydney and Oatley 101 Society of Artist’s where she regularly exhibits.

Alix has donated paintings for fund raising and charities.

Alix sells and exhibits her art through Instagram, Bluethumb gallery, Blue Mirror Gallery, Gladstone, Australia, private commissions in Australia & Internationally.