Helen Di Tomasso is a local Mornington Peninsula based artist. Following her completion of a Visual Arts Diploma in 2009, Helen began exhibiting and has won numerous awards, including being a finalist in the Walker St Gallery's Emerging Artist Competition.
About her work, Helen notes 'There is a delicate structure and innate tension to nature that I am interested in exploring...and upon inspection of the natural world, I have come to a peaceful realisation that we are all, in fact, connected and interdependent. My personal expression is explored within a semi abstract framework of painting, giving me the opportunity to include people, animals, and plants I see fit.
Beauty is discovered in random combinations of colour, therefore my application of paint is quick and intuitive, allowing my spirit to guide my selections. Attention and breath is important in this process, as I become totally alert to possibility and originality. I apply with a brush, scraper and fingers while drawing is also an important part of weaving the works together, be it with a bold stroke of crayon or the soft line of a pencil.
The push and pull of making a painting work is all consuming and thoroughly engaging. It is a constant reminder of how I need to live; present, engaged, responsive and above all, free."
Education
2009 - Diploma of Arts - Visual Arts. Chisholm Institute of Tafe, Frankston, VIC
1991 - Bachelor of Business (Management. Monash University, Frankston, VIC
Solo Exhibitions
Sep 2023 - 'Intermingle' Manyung Gallery, Malvern
Nov 2016 - 'Life Between Colour and Space' Manyung Gallery Malvern
July 2011 - “Beneath the Surface” Frankston Art Centre, Frankston, VIC
Nov 2010 - “Artistic Twist” Oakhill Gallery, Mornington, VIC
May 2010 - “Impressions of India”, Libran Dogma Gallery, Narre Warren North, VIC
Group Exhibitions
2020- 'Dreamscapes', Manyung Gallery Sorrento
2018- 'Garden Month', Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
2017- 'Peninsula Magic', Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
2016- Group Exhibition, Manyung Gallery Malvern
2015- 'Autumn Awakening' Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
2014- 'Year of the Horse', Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
2014- 'Colours of Spring', Manyung Gallery Mt Eliza
2013- “Little Landscapes”, Bright Space, St Kilda, VIC
2012- Signs, Signs, Everywhere A Sign, Manyung Gallery, Mount Eliza, VIC
Feature Artist @ Red Hill Art Show, Red Hill, VIC
“Three minutes of Creation”, Chisholm, Frankston, VIC
“Ron Rado”, Chisholm Institute Awards, Drum Theatre, Dandenong, VIC
“Impressions in Print”, Oakhill Gallery, Mornington, VIC
“Members Exhibition”, Oakhill Gallery, Mornington, VIC
Awards
2017 - Accepted into New York drawing marathon
2012 - Third prize – Oakhill Gallery Printmaking exhibition
2011 - Judge’s Commendation – Oakhill Gallery’s Members exhibition for ‘Conchita’
2009 - People’s Choice Award – Chisholm end of year exhibition
2008 - Jayco Design Award - $500