Laurie McKern – Biography/CV

Canadian born Laurie McKern is a contemporary figurative and landscape artist.

Laurie was the co-founder and director of the art school/studios/gallery: Gallery Cats Sydney in Brookvale, NSW from 2010 to 2020.

Currently Laurie has a studio at Cottage Collective in Mona Vale, NSW, where she also teaches painting classes.

Visitors to the studio are welcome, call to arrange an appointment.

Exhibitions

2024

International Woman’s Day Exhibition. Sutton Village Gallery, Sutton NSW. March 8th – 31st

‘Think Pink’ Petite Collection. Wed, Feb 21st – Wed, March 21st

‘Three 4 Seven’ Art Gallery on Darling, Balmain, NSW Feb 12th – Feb 18th

The ‘Art Gallery on Palm Beach Group Show’ at Art Gallery on Darling, Balmain, NSW Jan 15th – Jan 28th. everyday 10am – 5pm.

“JOY” Group show, 31st Jan to 28th Feb, Opening celebration Sat 3rd Feb 3pm to 5pm, Crackpot Gallery, Freshwater, NSW.

Works showing at Whitewall Art Projects, Berima NSW- ongoing

Works showing at Sutton Village Gallery, Sutton, NSW- ongoing

Resident Artist at Art Gallery on Palm Beach, NSW- ongoing

2023

‘One Day’ Olive Stack Art Gallery, Listowel, Ireland. Works created during artists residency. Saturday July 29th.

The Affordable Art Fair with Art Gallery on Darling and Art Gallery on Palm Beach, Sydney NSW June

Ravenswood Art Prize Exhibition of Finalists, Ravenswood School for Girls, Centenary Centre, 10 Henry Street, Gordon, NSW Saturday 13 May to Sunday 28 May

Beyond The Door, Hampton House, Fairlight, NSW. April 27 to May 27th, Opening night April 27, 6-8pm

Autum Group Exhibition, Whitewall Art Projects, Berrima, NSW March

The Fluidity of Form, 2 woman show at Art Gallery on Darling, Balmain NSW(with Liesel Edis)  Jan 31- Feb 5

Works showing at KAB Gallery, Terrigal, NSW- ongoing

Works showing at Whitewall Art Projects, Berima NSW- ongoing

Works showing at Sutton Village Gallery, Sutton, NSW- ongoing

Resident Artist at Art Gallery on Palm Beach, NSW- ongoing

Works on show Satch and Co. Holbrook, NSW

Crackpot Gallery, Freshwater, NSW

2022

Featured Artist ‘Contempo’ Kab Gallery, Terrrigal, NSW, November 22 to November 28th

‘Crackpot Cup Competition Exhibition’ Crackpot Gallery, Freshwater, NSW October 25 to November 13

‘Bird and Bloom’ The Village Gallery In Sutton, ACT, October 15

Works on show at Gallery on Palm Beach, 1/1095 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, NSW

Works on show Satch and Co. Holbrook, NSW October

‘Beauty in the Small’ Artspace Popup Gallery, The Entrance

Pittwater Artists Trail Exhibition, Newport Community Centre, March. Open studios July, November 5 & 6

‘All Women’ The Village Gallery In Sutton, ACT, March

‘Bodies of Work’ Crackpot Gallery, Freshwater, NSW March

2021

Represented at Gallery on Palm Beach, 1/1095 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, NSW
Open Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 3pm

Select works showing at Sydney Road Gallery Balgowlah. “In The Frame’ group show curated by Sarah Montgomery, April to May

Select works showing at Sydney Road Gallery Balgowlah. ‘Art Wank’ group show, March

Pittwater Artists Trail Exhibition, Newport Community Centre, March

2020

Represented at Gallery on Palm Beach, 1/1095 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, NSW
Open Thursday – Sunday, 10am – 3pm

‘Inception’ Group exhibition showcasing the works of resident studio artists of Creative Space, 105 Albott Rd, North Curl Curl, NSW. December 3 to 13 Thursdays to Sundays 10am to 4pm

‘I Am Women’ 10 – 20 December. An exhibition showcasing the artwork of women – featuring an extensive group of talented female painters, makers and creatives. Be Brave Galley, Avalon

2019

30 Days in Ireland, Art and Soul Collective Gallery, Seaforth, June

Artist Residency at Olive Stack Gallery, Listowel, Ireland, April

Pittwater Artists Trail- Open Studios, March

2018

‘Monday Nights’ Nude Studies with Laurie McKern, Evert Ploeg, Petra Pinn and Jane Park. Creative Space, Nth Curl Curl, July-Aug

‘Annual Art Muster’ Art & Soul Collective Gallery, Seaforth, Aug

Pittwater Artists Trail- Open Studios, November

Pittwater Artists Trail- Winter Exhibition, Newport Community Centre, June

Works represented at; Art & Soul Collective Gallery, Seaforth. Glen Street Theatre, Belrose. Cherry Blossum, Narrabeen Beach

2017

Group exhibition, Be Brave Art Space, Avalon

‘The Muse’ Solo Exhibition, Ethel Street Gallery, Seaforth, Australia. November

‘Cabaret’ Exhibition featuring figurative artists Wendy Sharpe, Evert Ploeg, Laurie McKern, Petra Pinn and Jane Park. Glen Street Theatre, Belrose, Australia. October

‘Diversarty Studio & Gallery’ Opening Exhibition, Cromer, Australia. July

‘The Adventures of Smokey & Stinky’ Solo Exhibition & Book Launch, January

2016

‘A Kagaroos Visit’. Australian Cultural Centre, Parco dei Cimini- Soriano nel Cimino, Rome, Italy

‘InterART’. Glen Street Theatre, Belrose, Australia

‘Natural to Abstraction’, Art & Soul Collective, Creative Space, North Curl Curl

‘Scaled Down’ Art and Soul Collective, Gallery Lane Cove. May to June

‘Fresh Batch #2’ Platform 72, St Leonards. February

‘Glen Street Theatre Project’ Art and Soul Collective, Jan- March

Finalist- ‘Thirty by Thirty’, The Colour Trap Gallery, Avalon

2015

‘A Kagaroos Visit’. Parco dei Cimini- Soriano nel Cimino, Rome, Italy

‘A Kangaroos Visit’. Palazzo Velli Expo, Rome, Italy

‘Pre Rome Exhibition’. Yuga Cafe, St Johns Rd. Glebe, Australia

Gallery Oscar Stock Room Show, Turramurra

‘The Way We See It’. Artworks from Laurie McKern and Petra Pinn. Gallery Cats Studios, Brookvale, Australia

‘Animalia’, International Print Exchange, The Milk Factory Gallery, Bowral, NSW, Australia

‘Gallery Oscar Group Show’. St Ives, Australia

‘Ku-ring-gai Artists Trail’. Turramurra, Australia

‘Warringah Print Makers Studio Annual Exhibition’ Fresh Water, Australia

2014

‘Gal’s, Broads & Tattoo Dolls’. Solo -The Australian Art Show, Pyrmont, Sydney, Australia

‘Stock Room Show’. Gallery Oscar. Turramurra, Australia

2013

‘Same, Same But Different’. Manly Art Festival Exhbition/Event, Sept. Works from Artists Laurie McKern, Petra Pinn and Chelle Dickins, Gallery Cats Studios, Brookvale NSW, Australia

‘Animalia’, International Print Exchange, The Milk Factory Gallery, Bowral, NSW, Australia

‘The Print Exchange 2013’, Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop, New York City and Graphic Arts,    Workshop San Fransisco

‘Marilyn’, Tap Gallery, Darlinghurst

2012

‘Sizzle’, Gallery Cats Studios, Brookvale

‘Sketch Book Project’, Brooklyn Sketch Book Library, Brooklyn NY

2011

‘Cup Cakes in a Crisis’, supporting the Hamlin Fistula Relief & Aid Fund, Gallery Cats Studios, Brookvale

‘Insight Out’, Tap Gallery, Darlinghurst

Finalist Warringah Art Prize,  Manly Vale

2010

‘Art Sydney’, Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney

Solo Exhibition ‘The Oddities of Life‘, Frameworks, The Manly Art Gallery & Museum

North Shore Art Society Art Exhibition, North Steyne, Manly

Art for Goats 5th Annual Exhibition, Gallery Cats Studios, Brookvale

Finalist Warringah Art Prize,  Manly Vale

2010 MANLY ART FESTIVAL EXHIBITIONS……

-North Shore Art Society Art Exhibition, North Steyne, Manly

-Manly Arts Festival, Artists & Craftsman of Pittwater Art Exhibition, Queenscliffe, Manly Arts Festival

2009

Art for Goats 4th Annual Exhibition, Art House Hotel, Pitt St, Sydney

Cosmopolitan, Baileys or Midori? with artists Petra Pinn & Midori Furze,  The Art House Hotel Pitt St, Sydney

Artists & Craftsmen of Pittwater Annual Award Exhibition, Mona Vale

Warringah Print Studio Annual Exhibition, The Antique Centre, Sydney

Pittwater Community Arts, Avalon Community Centre, Avalon

Art Sydney, Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney

Finalist Warringah Art Prize,  Manly Vale

2009

MANLY ART FESTIVAL EXHIBITIONS……

-Artists & Craftsman of Pittwater, Queenscliffe, Manly

-North Shore Art Society, North Steyne, Manly

-Womanly T-shirt Exhibition, Manly Wharf Beach, Manly

-Make Up Your Mind Exhibition, Manly Wharf Beach, Manly

2008

Changing Climate, Reinventing Lives, Select printmakers exhibition, regional galleries across Australia

The Dark Side, Gallery 26, Millions Point, Sydney

Artists and Craftsmen of Pittwater, Art Exhibition, Queenscliffe SLSC, Manly

River, Sea, Gallery 26, Springwood

The North Shore Art Society, Art Exhibition, North Steyne Surf Club

Artists and Craftsmen of Pittwater, Art Exhibition, Mona Vale Memorial Hall

Artists and Craftsmen of Pittwater, Annual Exhibition, Mona Vale

North Shore Art Society Annual Exhibition, Collaroy

Pittwater Community Arts Annual Exhibition, Avalon Market Day Exhibition

Art and Artefact, Gallery opening, Turramurra

Artists and Craftsmen of Pittwater Xmas Show, Mona Vale

2008 MANLY ART FESTIVAL EXHIBITIONS……

Art For Goats Annual Exhibition, Ethel Street Gallery, Seaforth

Artists and Craftsmen of Pittwater, Art Exhibition, Queenscliffe SLSC, Manly

The North Shore Art Society, Art Exhibition, North Steyne Surf Club

2007

Warringah Print Makers, Annual Art Exhibition, The Watch House, Balmain

Gallery 26 Group Show, Gallery 26, Milsons Point, Sydney

Warringah Print Makers Annual Exhibition, Sydney Antique Centre

About a Women Art Exhibition, The Tap Gallery, Darlinghurst

2007

MANLY ART FESTIVAL EXHIBITIONS……

Art For Goats Annual Exhibition, Ethel Street Gallery, Seaforth

The North Shore Art Society, Art Exhibition, North Steyne Surf Club

2006

Art For Goats Exhibition, Divine Designs, Brookvale

2005

Artists and Craftsmen of Pittwater, Select Member Exhibition, The Manly Art Gallery

Finalist Warringah Art Prize, Manly Vale

2004

Artists and Craftsmen of Pittwater, Art Exhibition, Mona Vale

1995

The Rocks Artists Exhibition, AS&N Gallery, The Rocks

Gallery Representative

2020-2021, Art Gallery on Palm Beach, Palm Beach

2010-2019, Gallery Cats Studios, Brookvale, Diversarty Gallery, Cromer.

2016, Platform 72, St Leonards.

2014-2015, Gallery Oscar, St Ives.

2004-2o10 Gallery 26, Milsons Point, The Moulton Gallery Mona Vale, The Ethel Street Gallery, Seaforth, The Tap Gallery, Paddington.

Awards / Prizes / Other

• Finalist, Still Life- Bluethumb ArtPrize 2022
• First place- ‘Beauty in the Small Art Prize’ Artspace Popup Gallery, The Entrance 2022
• Awarded a community grant from Northern Beaches Council for creating On line art class – 2020
• Awarded a yearly residency program and private studio from Northern Beaches Council at Creative Space, North Curl Curl. 2020
• Awarded a 30 day artist residency at Olive Stack Gallery, Listowel, Ireland, April 2019
• Finalist- Northern Beaches Art Prize, Creative Space, North Curl Curl, July 2017
• Finalist Warringah Art Prize,  Manly Vale, 2015
• Finalist Warringah Art Prize,  Manly Vale, 2014
• Finalist, Pyrmont Prize, Pyrmont, 2013
• Finalist The Royal Easter Show, Sydney, 2006
• Warringah Art Prize, The Packers Prize, Manly Vale 2005
• The Peter Campbell Art Award, (Peoples choice) ACOP, Mona Vale 2004
• The Outstanding Art Award, ACOP (judged by Marcia Moulton of Moulton Gallery) Mona Vale 2004
• Finalist Warringah Art Prize, Manly Vale 2003
• Finalist Warringah Art Prize, Manly Vale 2002

Special Projects

2020 Free online art lessons during the pandemic with the help of a community grant from Northern Beaches Council- still in process- Portraiture for everybody

2020 Free online art lessons during the pandemic- Laurie McKern Art Teacher  Understanding Colour – Colour Theory

2013 The Print Exchange 2013. Gloal print exhibition and exchanges showing in New York City at Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop and Graphic Arts Workshop in San Francisco.

2012 The Sketch Book Project. Sketch book on permanent collection at the Brooklyn Sketch Book Library, Brooklyn NY

2010 The Manly Art Gallery and Museum invited Laurie to exhibit her small sculptures and etchings in the Frameworks project running for a 3 month duration at the Manly Art Gallery & Museum.

2008 Laurie’s etchings where selected for the moving collaborative exchange print makers exhibition ‘Changing Climate- Reinventing Lives which ran for several months in galleries across regional Australia.

Co founder of ‘Art For Goats’ an annual exhibition in support of Oxfam Australia, 2006-2010
Co founder of Gallery Cats Studios- collaborative shared studios/art school/gallery in Brookvale- since 2010
Creator of The Song Hour 88.7 FM & 90.3 FM Sydney showcasing local  songwriters original material

Training / Studies

1982 -1984 Illustration Art, Sheridan College, Ontario, Canada

1992 Children’s Book Illustration, University of Sydney, Australia

1989 Batik Textiles, Sumatra, Indonesia

2007 Print Making Techniques, Warringah Print Makers Studio, Manly Vale, Australia

Graphic Artist/Art Director/Illustrator in both Toronto and Australia from 1984 – 1994

Artist Talks & Demonstrations

• Artist talk about my artistic practice & artworks on exhibition ‘The Oddities of Life’, Manly Art Gallery and Museum
• Radio interview on 88.7 FM & 90.3 FM talking about Art For Goats
• Artists talk about my artistic practice & artworks on exhibition ‘Cosmopolitan, Baileys or Midori?’ Art House Hotel
• Artists talk about my artistic practice & running charity exhibitions for ACOP Artists Lunch
• Radio interview on 88.7 FM & 90.3 FM talking about musical practices

Commissions

2016 Large live painting for Benefit Cosmetics for opening of Westfield Mall, Brookvale

Numerous works for the Queenscliffe Surf Life Saving Club

Numerous private commissions in Canada and Australia

Mural for Jenny Wren Preschool, Narrabeen, Australia,

Mural for Narrabeen Lakes Primary School, Australia,

Commissioned mural works in Toronto, Canada.

Freelance illustration work for Spectra Graphics, Home Life and LMB Graphics, Toronto, Canada. Book illustrations for ‘The Funny Things Folk Say’ by Tony Wellington and ‘Remembering You’ by Wendy Nadler

Publications / Articles

2016 Book- The Adventures of Smokey & Stinky Collection of Works

Country Living Magazine

Manly Daily editorials and interviews for art and music

Sydney Experience (Asian Tourist Magazine)

Changing Climate- Reinventing Lives-booklet on printmakers in Australia

The Sketch Book Library – Artworks Publication

Special Workshops

Make Up Your Mind in Manly in 2007 with artist Angela Von Boxtel

Separate workshops with children and mothers at the Manly Bear Cottage

Professional member of NAVA, Warringah Print Makers, Red Bubble, Art and Soul Collective, Inc and SONGSALIVE Australia

Various works of art have been sold to collectors from all over the world including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, America, Canada and Australia.