Still life artist Esther Eckley thought her world had ended when an illegal tackle ended her career playing rugby for Wales more than a decade ago.
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“I was devastated at the time – I loved playing rugby,” she said.
“I thought it was the end of my world, but I soon realised it was the discovery of another one.”
Ms Eckley began painting as a form of therapy following the tackle which resulted in a serious knee injury and is now a full-time artist.
“I miss playing rugby terribly, but I didn’t love it as much as I love painting now. I don’t have to train twice a day now and watch what I eat, which is a real bonus.”
Originally from Cardiff, Ms Eckley moved to Armidale three years ago with her husband and two children.
“We wanted a life change and decided to have a big adventure and move to Australia to live as we have family in Sydney,” Ms Eckley said.
I needed a fresh challenge when I moved here
- Esther Eckley
“We came to Armidale with my husband’s work, and we love it here in New England. I’m grateful every day that we were fortunate enough to move to such a wonderful part of the world. We bought a property here just over a year ago, and have some land which is a dream come true.”
When she initially moved to Australia Ms Eckley says she took a break from painting which gave her time to take stock and observe. She began painting again last year and has held some successful local exhibitions with Gallery 126 in Armidale and Walcha.
“I’ve sold half my work in the current exhibition at the Walcha Gallery of Art, which is amazing and something I’m very happy about,” she said.
“I have exhibited at Walcha once before in a group exhibition with Kate Durack and others in October 2017. I love the space and am very grateful to the gallery owner Carley for believing in me and taking a risk at the beginning as I was an unknown. It’s a great gallery, and I’m very lucky to be there.”
Oils are the medium of choice for Ms Eckley – she says she loves the luxurious appearance the medium gives to a painting.
“I have been working more with a palette knife recently as I like the texture and look it gives,” she said.
“It’s both bold and beautiful to me.”
While in Wales Ms Eckley experimented with landscape painting, but she says she finds the execution of a still life work more stimulating.
“Still life is a challenge every day, which is why I’m really enjoying my painting,” she said.
“I needed a fresh challenge when I moved here and decided that the next venture would be still life, as it’s not as easy as it looks. Getting the perspective right and the shadows and light is testing, but I’m enjoying it. I will eventually get into some landscape painting too, but for now, I’m more than happy doing what I’m doing.”
Australian native flora and its unique light, as well as everyday objects, give Ms Eckley inspiration.
“It’s so very different to the colours in Wales , and if you look at my landscapes and seascapes from that time you’ll see they were so moody in comparison to the colours I’m using now,” she said.
“I was using lots of navy, brown, greys and blues. The aim is to reflect the mood and light of a certain place.”
And yes – the former Welshwoman can sing.
“My mother was a folk singer in Wales - so I have inherited her creative flair,” she said.
“I do love to sing -it’s something you have to be good at in Wales as the Eisteddfod is such a big deal over there.”
The Still Life exhibition is currently on at the Walcha Gallery of Art.