Gary Upfield
My name is Gary Upfield and I have lived in North Warrandyte since 1991. I am married to wife Robyn. I
am 68 years old and have been painting most of my life. My passion for painting started at High School
when I was fortunate to have a very good Art Teacher who gave me a grounding in all aspects of Art. I
was born and raised in Preston, Victoria a suburb of Melbourne. I attended Preston East Primary School
and Preston East High School. I also attained an Advanced Diploma in Finance together with an
Advanced Certificate of Banking and Finance at Box Hill TAFE. I am also a Senior Associate of the
Australian Institute of Bankers (now Financial Services Institute of Australasia)
I have won two Art Awards. I won the Commonwealth Bank staff Award in 1994 for a promotion of
Tasmania, my prize was a trip to Tasmania. I have been back to Tasmania several times since. I also won
the competition at National Australia Bank Collections in 2000 to create a Christmas Card.I have been selected as a finalist for the Australian Watercolour mister 2020.
I was selected for the Knox Immerse 2019
Main Artist for Knox Car and Art Show 2019
I presented my work previously as a solo exhibitor in Black Cat Gallery,
Collingwood in September 2018, and Darebin Arts Centre, Preston in OctoberNovember 2018. I also exhibited my paintings in various festivals and art shows
including, Camberwell Art Show in 2007 & 2014. I am also a regular exhibitor in
Warrandyte Rotary Art Show since 2013, and Linden Postcard Art Show since
2014.
I was selected as part of the Knox Immerse art show 2019.
I was asked to participate in the Knox Car and art show 2019.
I have recently been a finalist in the Australian Water Colour Muster 2020.
I have attended many workshops at the National Gallery of Victoria including,
-Portrait painting with Lewis Miller
-Pen and Ink with Jill Anderson
-Charcoal Drawing with Peter Wegner twice
-Plein Air Painting around Melbourne
-Sketching in the Gallery with Marco Luccio
My previous Art Teacher was Vicki McInnes. Her vision on how to find the essence of a painting is expressed rather than just a scene. I love working with VickiI have spent five winters in Alice Springs on week long camps outside Alice Springs with Deborah Clarke
a noted painter in Alice Springs. Much of my recent works have been created or inspired from these
trips. I have entered and been shown at the following art shows,
1. Warrandyte Festival Art Prize
2. Warrandyte Rotary Art Show. 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016,2017,2018,2019
3. Strathdon Community 10th, 11th, 12 & 13th Annual Art Exhibition
4. Camberwell Art Show 2007 & 2014
5. Hobsons Bay Art Show 2015,
6. Warrenwood Art show 2014, 2015, 2016
7. Linden Postcard Art Show 2014, 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019, 2020
8. The Bayside Art Show
9. The Knox Art Show 2015, 2016
10. Mornington Art Show
11. Australian Watercolour Muster2020
12. Knox Immerse 2019
13. Somers Art Show
I currently have a studio at 171 High Street, Northcote with six
other artists including well known Artist Marcus Wills. (winner of the Archibald Prize)
Marcus and I have a strong relationship and he will often give pointers and assistance with my paintings.
The Environment at the Studio is very robust with everyone able to give and take constructive criticism.