Artist’s Bio
For Kalina Brew (also known as Kalina de Bruin) creativity has always been an important part of her life. This passion initially led her to pursue a career in Interior Design. Following an interstate move and the birth of her first child, Kalina decided to retrain as a primary school teacher, relegating her more creative pursuits to her spare time. One particular year she was given the opportunity to teach Art at her school and, while guiding her students with their own creativity, she realised that creativity needed to become a significant part of her life once again.
Kalina’s creates larger paintings on canvas with acrylics and smaller works on paper using gouache and soft pastels. Her works span a variety of subject matter, with a main focus on landscapes. She draws inspiration from the sun’s impact on the sky and surfaces, and seasonal changes in nature. Expressive brushstrokes, saturated colours and dynamic composition exemplify her style.
Kalina’s breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 saw her work turn inward, reflecting on the emotions and experiences of facing ones own mortality, and shifting towards more joyful pieces celebrating all that we have to be grateful for. The Myriad Life was also established as an outlet for her other creative interests, including writing and digital art for consumer products.
In addition to her existing catalogue of original artworks and prints as shown on her website, she also produces a limited number of commission pieces each year. Please contact her directly via email if you would like to discuss commissioning an artwork for your collection.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (Interior Design) RMIT 1998
Graduate Diploma in Education (Murdoch University) 2009
Awards
Third Prize overall in KernArt Art Prize, October 2022
Exhibitions
‘Alliance’ MAVA curated exhibition, Marysville, September 2023
‘Renew’, open exhibition at Cube 37 Gallery, August 2023
‘Winter Solstice’, Curated Group Exhibition at ArtSpace Wonthaggi, June 2022
‘Smorgasbord’, Group exhibition at The Hut Gallery, March 2022
‘smART’, Small Works Group Exhibition at The Track Gallery, February 2022
‘Change’, Group exhibition at Cube 37 @ FAC, November 2021
‘Shadows at Play’, MAVA online group exhibition, October 2021