For every successful artist in Australia there are thousands more trying to gain recognition and to perhaps get the chance to make a few dollars off their latest work of art.
Canungra’s Nina Hanley doesn’t mind admitting that she is one of the unknown group waiting eagerly to have her paintings recognised and appreciated.
Nina’s journey as an artist and photographer has taken her on a long road and while there have been disappointments there has also been some outstanding wins.
The former Gold Coast Bulletin photographer moved to Canungra with her husband Bert and young son Max more than 15 years ago.
Her full-time working life changed soon after arriving in the village when Max was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.
She had no hesitation stepping back to be his full-time carer.
While taking Max to his appointments and specialists has always kept her busy she has also found time in her moments alone at home to bring out her easel and oils to paint.
“Ever since I won an art competition at primary school when I was just six I have loved drawing and painting,” Nina said.
“My mum was an artist and an opera singer and while I can’t hit her notes I embraced her passion for oil painting.
“I would love one day to actually make some money off my work and while I have sold a number of pieces I am still a long way behind on the balance sheet.
“I suppose saying I want to be a successful painter is like saying I want to be a rockstar and it just doesn’t happen that way.
“It’s hard work, but I am dedicated to my art.”
Nina combines her passion for painting with her love of photography which was once her full-time job at the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“I annoyed the paper’s pictorial editor for three months when I found out there was job going as a dark room attendant and when he gave me the position he said it was because of my persistence I got the role,” Nina said.
“After three years developing film and printing photos they handed me a camera and said now go out and cover jobs yourself.
“There was no training, you just learnt on the road and it wasn’t easy especially when you had to go to court or to an accident.
“I remember once when I was confronted by a member of the Japanese Yakuza outside court who tried to take my camera away. I got the picture and I must admit I was actually glad when they didn’t use it in the paper the next day.
‘I didn’t want to have the Japanese mafia after me.”
Her expertise as a photographer has allowed Nina to successful enter numerous competitions and just a few years ago one of her entries in the National Photographic Portrait Prize was listed as a finalist and was exhibited as part of an Australia wide exhibition tour.
That photo was of her good friend and Canungra neighbour Felicity Wegemund and was featured in Vogue Magazine and the Australian Newspaper.
“I thought I might get some recognition on my instagram account after that, but all I got was 11 new followers.
Nina continues to post her new art and photographic work on her “ninahanleyart” account and one day she hopes she’ll will have numerous followers.
For now she’ll just continue to paint what inspires her, with the hope that her finished work will also inspire others.
