I am Aussie born and New Zealand raised. I am currently based in Gawler, South Australia on the edge of the beautiful Barossa Valley with my husband, two teen kids and two dogs. I fell in love with painting while at high school in Taupo, NZ, went on to study Visual Arts at University, then fell in love with the classroom while at Uni SA, Adelaide. Participating in the 100 Barossa Artists SALA exhibition in 2020 ignited a spark creating again. Then one of my portraits was selected as a finalist in the Kennedy Art Prize in 2022 which gave me a boost of confidence. At the end of 2023 I left a rewarding 20-year career as a high school educator to reclaim a different dream for myself - to be an artist.

Since then, I have held two solo exhibitions of my work, participated in many more group shows, painted commissions and led hundreds of people to joyfully explore their own creativity in art workshops. I am learning A LOT everyday and making new connections in the arts community. I love my life, I love what I do. The take-away? It is never too late to make a move toward something you really want.

Awards

2025

Finalist, Smallacombe Self Portrait Prize, Gallery One, Mitcham SA

The Lethbridge 20000, Salon des Refusés, Online Exhibition

2024

Judges Special Mention, West Torrens Art Prize, West Torrens Auditorium Gallery, SA

Finalist, RSASA Portrait Prize, Royal South Australian Society of Arts, Adelaide, SA

Finalist, Gawler Art Prize, Gawler SA

2022

Finalist, Kennedy Art Prize for Painting, Kennedy Arts Foundation, Adelaide SA

Solo Exhibitions

2024     “Human/ Nature” Barossa Arts Festival, Mount Pleasant Library, SA

2023     “Heart Talk” Gawler Community Gallery, Gawler, SA

Podcast

The Barossa Podcast: Artist, Teacher and Speaker from the Heart, Adele Justice