Small paintings created en plein air presented in the beautiful studio in the Old Freemason’s Hall. Colour, space, light and pattern manifest in semi-abstract landscape images in gouache and oil paint.

Katrina Logan is an architect and visual artist based in Castlemaine, regional Victoria. As an architect, Katrina has been interested in place, paying close attention to the qualities of a particular site to inform her design work. This interest is also expressed through her plein air paintings, that capture the light, form and atmosphere of the landscapes she visits – many around Castlemaine. Katrina began drawing at an early age. She worked at the Royal Academy of Art in London before going on to study architecture at RMIT Melbourne and fine art (sculpture) at Prahran art college. Katrina was the recipient of a Premier’s Design Award in the sustainability category and her work is held in the Melbourne Museum collection. In recent years Katrina has been painting under the tuition of tonal painter David Moore. Last year she travelled to Fowler’s Gap, north of Broken Hill NSW, for an immersive workshop led by renowned landscape painter Nicole Kelly, which exposed her to the rich palette of the outback, expanding her plein air painting repertoire. Still life and landscape paintings will be on display and available to purchase in the Open Studio. Katrina’s beautiful studio is in the magnificent heritage interior of the old Freemason’s Hall in Castlemaine – a building she has converted into her architecture practice, art studio and home, where she also holds life drawing sessions. Katrina opens her studio to the public this March, with friend and artist Justine Siedle, to share their work with visitors for the first time in a relaxed studio setting that allows for feedback, discussion and exchange of ideas.

Justine Siedle is a practising artist, visual art teacher and violinist based in Melbourne. She has been exhibiting for 30 years, while pursuing a career in art education. Justine’s work is informed by Australian art, history and nature. She often paints en plein air, bringing elements of colour and pattern into her oil and watercolour paintings. Recently Justine has been painting en plein air with the guidance of Castlemaine-based artist Mark Dober, painting on Djaara and Leanganook country. In earlier paintings Justine explored the landscapes of Tasmania and Darwin, and in 2022 Justine joined the painting trip to Fowler’s Gap led by Australian landscape artist Nicole Kelly. Justine has been participated in numerous group shows, most recently Natural Constructs, at Hawthorn Town Hall Gallery, a group exhibition highlighting the beauty found in natural and built environments.