Painting the sunny beaches of Perth, Western Australia, or the changeable scenery of Devon?

For Devon Artist Network painter Julie Dunster, there is no contest - and she is celebrating her return home with her first solo art exhibition in this country, at the Boston Tea Party in Honiton from 27 February to 7 May 2016.

The exhibition will feature original oil paintings produced through sketches and photographs on location and completed in her Mid Devon studio. Julie captures the season’s differences, whether depicting avocets at tide’s out in deserted Dawlish Warren, or the warmth of a summer walk on the Great Western Canal path.

She explains why Devon called her back home to paint, “ While I loved my time in Australia, I did feel that a predominantly blue sky reduced the subtleties of the colour palette open to me. I missed the drama of moody, atmospheric Devon skies. And of course, we do appreciate the moments of sunshine we get here so much more!”

Julie’s creative journey began in Exeter. She remembers painting the bell of a buoy at Stoke Hill Middle School, and the headteacher praising her work. She had been impatient and not waited for the paint to dry. The colours blended, creating shadow and form. Julie learnt from this first ‘happy accident’,passionately drawing and painting into her teens when she was taught Fine Art at A level by internationally acclaimed artist Graham Rich.

Despite this, Julie chose another career path, returning to Art after her children were born. However, it was an oil painting course at the Kidogo Institute in Fremantle, Australia that rekindled her love of painting and she exhibited alongside other local artists, selling paintings and prints in community galleries and eateries.

Now Julie combines her painting with working with children, hoping to spot more ‘happy accidents’ to encourage artists of the future. You can see her ‘Definitely Devon’ exhibition in the Garden Room of the Boston Tea Party from 27 February to the 7 May 2016.