A new artistic talent has emerged in the Burdekin. Jane Baltzars, who hails from the small Welsh town Barry, has called this region home for the past 15 years. She’s now drawing up a storm and garnering praise for her real-life animal depictions.
For someone who recently re-picked up the pencils about 18 months ago despite creating art for 45-50 years, the results have been nothing short of outstanding! Specialising in pencil drawing, Jane uses brands like Faber Castell and Caran d'Ache.
“I always had an interest in art, especially pencils. When I was in school, I drew a detailed picture of a rock pool I was proud of. However, the student next to me splashed water on it and it became blurred. When the teacher saw it, she said it improved the art, but I was upset. They made me feel like my art wasn’t very good, so I concentrated on science subjects instead,” Jane explains.
“Over the years, however, I taught myself oil painting, while I studied watercolours in night classes I took. But I always had a soft spot for drawing in my spare time,” she smiles.
Seeing her talent rise, Jane’s partner John, bought an expensive coloured pencil set for Christmas a few years ago, before she plucked up the courage to join an art group that specialised in animal coloured pencil drawing.
She enjoys drawing wildlife, particularly cheetahs, which are inspired by her volunteer work in Namibia several years earlier.
“My passion is Africa. I've been a number of times. I want to do pictures of elephants and lions, but especially cheetahs because I spent about two- or three-weeks volunteering in Namibia with them. I find them the most fascinating animal.”
The Burdekin isn’t about to lose Jane to Africa, is it?
“No because in our garden we've got agile wallabies, possums, and plenty of bird life. And that's what I love, animals. I see myself drawing more wildlife here,” she enthuses.
Jane advises beginners to start simple, practice regularly, while emphasising having fun and not being too critical of one's own work.
“Start off simple. Do pictures that you can draw. Change it into a simple line art and then just colour, practice, and have fun with it. Just have a go,” she urges would be artists.
Jane Baltzarswith a small sample of her spectacular pencil drawings. Photo: MarkT. Rasmussen
Cheetah eye by Jane. Image: Supplied.
German Shepherd. Image: Supplied.
Wine been poured into a wine glass. Image: Supplied.
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