Represented Artists
Chris Arnol - Oils & Charcoal
Chris Arnol is an Australian artist celebrated for his mastery of realism, based in the scenic and rugged landscape of Tasmania. With a commitment to capturing the depth and intricacies of the human experience, Chris’s work resonates with a deep appreciation for classical technique and contemporary sensibility.
Chris honed his artistic skills at the prestigious Angel Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, where he received classical training. His rigorous education in Florence laid the foundation for his expertise in both charcoal and oil painting, emphasising the values of observation, proportion, and the subtleties of light and shadow. This training has enabled him to create works that are both technically accomplished and profoundly evocative.
Chris’s talent and dedication have earned him recognition in some of Australia’s most esteemed portrait competitions. He has been a semi-finalist in the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, one of the country’s most significant portrait prizes, as well as the Lester Prize for Portraiture in Western Australia. His growing international reputation is evident from his achievement as a finalist in the Portrait Society of America’s 3rd International ‘A View of Self’ competition and fundraiser. Chris is also a finalist in this year’s Art Renewal Center (ARC) International Salon; the world’s largest and most respected competition for realist artists. His works in these competitions reflect not only his technical prowess but also his ability to imbue each piece with narrative depth and emotional resonance.
Chris continues to explore the themes of identity, presence, and human emotion through his chosen mediums. His charcoal pieces exude a raw, tactile quality, while his oil paintings offer a richness and luminosity that draw viewers into intimate encounters with his subjects.
Jonathan Bowden - Pastels & Charcoal
Born in Melbourne in 1942, Jonathan Bowden grew up in England, where he developed a deep connection with the arts and sciences. After completing a natural sciences degree at Cambridge, he pursued formal art studies in London. From 1968 to 1980, he exhibited widely in the UK, establishing a foundation in his artistic practice.
Bowden moved to Australia in 1980, where he quickly became known for his profound sensitivity to the Australian landscape. His approach to capturing nature’s essence is rooted in the Impressionist tradition, a method he studied closely, particularly the techniques of the English and French Impressionists. Bowden’s process is intensive: he visits each chosen location repeatedly, at the same time of day, working directly from life to capture the subtleties of light and atmosphere. This immersive technique allows him to render the landscape’s unique characteristics, whether working in oils or pastels.
Now based in Launceston, Tasmania, Bowden is regarded as a leading practitioner of “broken colour,” a technique that builds the painting’s surface through separate, visible strokes of pure color, creating a shimmering, luminous effect. This approach, first pioneered by the French Impressionists in the late 19th century, remains central to his work, capturing the natural world with vibrancy and depth. As fellow artist Tony Smibert has noted, Bowden’s mastery of broken colour places him among the foremost interpreters of this Impressionist method in contemporary Australian art.
Leoni Duff - Charcoal, Pastels & Oils
Leoni Duff resides in the provincial city of Launceston, Tasmania, with her husband and family.
An accomplished musician in her earlier years, she studied piano at the Conservatorium of Music in Hobart. While always having a keen interest in art and art history, it was during the 1980s that Leoni began to seriously develop her painting skills.
She initially worked with watercolour before transitioning to oils, taking every opportunity to learn from the techniques of the old masters and early Australian artists.
Although largely self-taught, Leoni has drawn extensively from both historical and contemporary art resources to refine her craft.
Reflecting on her artistic philosophy, Leoni explains, “I am motivated in my art to reflect a sense of wonder and appreciation at the work of the Creator.
I see beauty, design, order, and drama in simple objects, landscapes, the human form, and the endless material in nature to inspire the artist.
Out of a spirit of thankfulness, and in keeping with my philosophy, I set out to reflect this beauty and design and share these observations with those around me.”
Rod Gardner - Watercolour
Tasmanian watercolour artist Rod Gardner has dedicated thousands of hours to capturing the essence of Launceston’s streets, a subject that holds a special place in his heart. “It’s what I enjoy most,” Gardner explains. “I do landscapes and I do portraits, but this is what I’m most comfortable with.”
His deep familiarity with the city comes not only from growing up in Launceston but also from experiencing its streets firsthand, a connection that gives his work an authentic and deeply personal resonance.
In 2018, Gardner’s contributions to the art world were recognized when he won the Vita Brown Bursary, and was named, Tasmanian Aboriginal Artist of the Year.
His work is held in the public collections of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart collection, and the Devonport Regional Art Gallery. A collection of his works have also been featured in promotional material for the Launceston City Council.
Currently, he shares his passion and skill by teaching watercolour painting at the Brisbane Street Art School studio in central Launceston, where he inspires a new generation of artists. He held a ‘sell out’ solo exhibition at the Alport Gallery, Hobart, and he regularly sells his work to local, national and international buyers.
Gardner’s work is heavily influenced by the tonal impressionist painters of over a century ago, such as Arthur Streeton and Tom Roberts. These artists’ use of light and tone to depict the Australian landscape has shaped his approach to capturing the changing moods and character of Launceston.
Yet, Gardner acknowledges that his artistic perspective continues to evolve, allowing him to develop new techniques and approaches as he grows as an artist.
First Floor, 70 Brisbane Street, Launceston, Tas. 7250
Mob: +61 0409 542 557
email: leoni@artvillage.com.au
