For Nadine Reynolds, art is not just a career or a hobby: it is as essential as breathing. Based in Toowoomba, Nadine has spent the last two decades developing a deeply personal practice that combines research, textile mastery, and an emotional connection that invites the viewer to feel truly "seen."

The First Spark

Nadine’s journey back to art as an adult began during her studies for a Bachelor of Education. For a student exhibition, she created a multi-layered work that she hung up using simple clothes pegs. When an image of that piece was chosen for the exhibition invitation, she was hooked. This early validation set the stage for a nearly 20-year career of communicating ideas through visual language.

The Silk and the Script: A Unique Process

If you look at Nadine’s work today, you will notice a consistent theme of movement. This is a deliberate exploration influenced by her long-term experience with vertigo. For the last ten years, she has worked almost exclusively on silk, a medium that allows her to capture that inferred and actual movement with delicate precision.

The Ritual of Creation

Nadine’s day begins on her back deck with a spiritual practice of prayer and movement. This connection to the sky and trees is vital before she moves into the more technical phases of her work.

Her process is a meticulous blend of modern and traditional techniques:

• The Morning Push: This is when the "tricky" work happens. Nadine uses oil pastel transfers to move handwritten texts and research-driven imagery onto the silk.
• The Afternoon Flow: Once the paint is dry, the process becomes more meditative. Nadine moves into her "studio nest" on the couch to add embroidery or Prisma coloured pencil details while spending time with her family.

A Teacher and a Researcher

Nadine is a self-described "research fiend." She believes that authentic, robust research is the foundation of good work and cannot be rushed. This academic rigour serves her well in her dual role as a full-time art teacher.

"I think the balance of teaching and creating is really helpful, I get a second burst of energy for a second shift once I come home."

The Turning Point

A significant milestone in Nadine’s career occurred ten years ago when she submitted work to the Toowoomba Regional Gallery. Initially intending it as a teaching tool for her Year 12 students, she was surprised and delighted to be accepted. "There is nothing like that first solo exhibition," she recalls.

Advice for the Next Generation

For those sitting at home wondering if they are good enough to start, Nadine offers a truth about the pace of creativity:

"Know the process. Research, develop, resolve, and reflect. Don’t leap to start a resolved work immediately: keep a diary. Work authentically and do not be in such a hurry to produce."

Connect with Nadine Reynolds

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