Meg Nielson has been painting all her life.

Now 71, Meg says her art has been on the backburner for a while, but she envisions more “relaxing and serenely painting in the garden” as the years pass by.

But by no means is she twiddling her thumbs.

As an artist, campaigner and radio personality – she has her fingers in a lot of local pies – including hosting a radio show on River FM and being the president of Lismore Art Club.

“I’ve been busy campaigning against the gas industry invading the Northern Rivers,” Meg said. “I got involved when I realised so much needs changing.

“I also have a radio show on River FM on Saturdays called Earth and Art. I like to invite guests onto the program, including specialists and researchers. It keeps me sharp.”

Can’t You See? pastel on paper by Meg Nielsen.

Meg came to Lismore 46 years ago in 1974. She said she was “passing through” on her way to New Zealand when she was 24.

“I stayed here with my cousin and them I was offered a job - and the rest is history,” she said.

Meg said she began her artistic career when she started art college in the UK.

“Back then, I set up easel in the National Gallery and copied the masters,” she said.

“I enjoy having a mentoring role in Lismore Art Club and helping others. So many clubs can be competitive, but Lismore Art Club is welcoming and supportive.

Lismore Art Club workshop with visiting artists Harry Westera & Penelope Gilbert-Ng.

Tricks of the trade

“It doesn’t matter how inexperienced an artist you are, you can come along and learn the tricks of the trade.

“I like to give tips to aspiring artists that when they see a painting they like, they can photocopy it and then copy it. That way you learn. It will look different, but it’s the practice of learning the techniques that is the shortcut to studying art.

“All art is copying – even painting a landscape. You just set up an easel and copy what’s in front of you.

“Northern Rivers landscapes and their resilience in rejuvenating after fires and drought is a big inspiration to me.

“There’s a lot of great artists in Lismore Art Club who love to give advice on how you can get to be a better artist. We have Margaret E Bran, an accomplished watercolour artist in the club and Ann Slade is an amazing artist who trained at Lismore TAFE.”

Lismore Post Office Tower, 2019, acrylic on canvas by Lismore Art Club member Roger Jones.

Art exhibition

Recently, Meg has been instrumental in putting together the exhibition of Lismore Art Club members’ art at Lismore Regional Gallery – to celebrate the club’s 60 year anniversary. Meg has been a member of the club since 2004, and her art is part of the exhibition.

Meg said she it was “frantic” as she worked with Lismore Art Club secretary Linnea Hannan to curate the exhibition.

“Celebrating 60 years of history is important,” Meg said. “Celebrating 60 Years shows the diversity of our work from traditional to contemporary, in a variety of mediums, capturing the essence of this beautiful region.

“We are spoilt here – we are surrounded by landscapes from the mountains to the coast.

“Some of our greatest inspiration comes from observing the resilience of our community and our land, and the amazing rejuvenation that follows.”

Hattie, waterclour by Lismore Art Club member Linnea Hannan.

Lismore Art Club history

Meg said finding out about the history of the club and its early members was a highlight of her research for the exhibition.

“I’ve met and chatted with early members – the last one died five years ago in her 90s,” she said.

Halcylon days

“Way back before the club was formed in 1960, artists from all around the Lismore area would get together at homes and sketch.

“The early days were ‘halcylon’ days full of creative gatherings where people enjoyed the company of artists of all ages. They were topped off with lunches and picnics and bottles of wine.

“It sounded wonderful and I wanted to be sitting there with them on a rug with an easel.

“This time wet the scene for the art club to form in 1960. Since then, members work together and preserve a friendly, nurturing environment for anyone to join.”

Celebrating 60 Years

The Lismore Art Club’s current exhibition at Lismore Regional Gallery features the works of 22 of the club’s members – who each get to exhibit two or three works each.

With at least 40 paintings and drawings, Meg said members had submitted earlier works as well as more recent ones to reflect a body of work over time.

“We’ve been waiting since early last year to get a gallery space – we had an exhibition for the club’s 50^th anniversary at the old art gallery on Molesworth Street.”

The exhibition Lismore Art Club: celebrating 60 years is on at Lismore Regional Galley until August 16.

Members of Lismore Art Club with students from Wilson Park Primary School

Workshops and Wilson Park Primary School

On the third Saturday of each month, from 9am-3pm, Lismore Art Club holds workshops and tutorials with guest artists from all round Australia and the world and Meg invites people to join them.

“Guests can come along to Wilson Park School on Wyrallah Road and join in,” Meg said. “We encourage and support both emerging and established artists.

“The school’s principal Helen Rae allows the club to share their premises and we have enjoyed a special relationship with this wonderful school for many years.

“Every year teacher Gail O’Brien assists the school’s students to take part in our annual exhibition which is held in August each year.

“It’s the longest running annual art exhibition in the area – and we love having the special school students exhibit there. Each year, we have a judge and the school students get prizes.

“Lismore Workers Club donate the auditorium each August for the four day exhibition and we collect donations for the school through the exhibition.

“We expect to still hold the exhibition again this August if all goes well.”

Members of Lismore Art Club.

Lismore Art Club workshop information

Workshop tutorials are held on the third Saturday of the month. Doors open at 8.30am to set up ready for a 9:00am start, through to 3:00pm at Wilson Park Primary School – Wyrallah Rd, Lismore. 

Bring your own lunch, morning tea, drinks, a small table, easel, appropriate art supplies and preferably a chair. 

The cost of each tutorial/workshop is $25 for the day for members and $30 for visitors/non-members. 

For more information, visit http://www.lismoreartclub.com.au/