Krisstie Byrnne

bio

Born in 1962 in Brisbane, Australia.

Hi, my name’s Krisstie. Welcome to the page about me. I am the founder of Brisbane Art Workshops. The timing and opportunity to create Brisbane Art Workshops arose when the Tafe Community Education art classes became redundant this year. Even the Arts Academy in Brisbane has apparently lost its funding from Education Queensland. I felt the need to create something better for the students, particularly for painters. Having had previous exposure to many businesses, I saw the need to provide students with a relaxed, enjoyable, non-competitive atmosphere, conducive to learning and growing as an artist. Our vision is to create a space for people of all walks of life who love art, from the absolute beginner to the experienced professional artist, and to promote the art of painting.

I taught myself to draw at a young age, and enjoyed art at high school, however the Guidance Officer suggested that I pursue secretarial studies. In 1989 I decided that after many boring jobs that I would again pursue my passion for painting. I was unsuccessful on my first attempt to gain entry into the Queensland College of Art. I couldn’t paint very well back then, but I could draw. Not used to giving up, I was still determined to go to Art College, so I set about learning to paint to create a better folio. During this time I came to quickly recognise the differences between a good art teacher and a mediocre art teacher.

Fortunately I found an excellent teacher & artist in Madonna Barraclough, who was working in the Tafe Community Education programs. I told Madonna that I wanted to go to Art College, but she warned me that I would not be taught how to paint. I didn’t really care at the time, I just wanted to say I’d been to the Queensland College of Art. So, on my second application I was successful, and I will always be very grateful to Madonna for her creative tuition and improving my technical skill in painting. That year, over 1000 people applied via folio for only 80 places, and I became one of the 35 or so graduates of the Queensland College of Art in 1993. Madonna was right of course, but I enjoyed the experience nevertheless.

In 1994, I completed my Train the Trainer Certificate at Tafe, and soon after commenced teaching adults how to paint in Tafe’s Adult & Community Education classes. I have really enjoyed teaching over the years. It has always given me a deep level of satisfaction seeing beginning painters flourish under the right guidance, especially when they are so proud of what they’ve accomplished.

In 1995, I commenced a part-time Post Graduate Arts Administration degree, but withdrew after the first semester, due to unforeseen circumstances. After more years of various & sometimes dangerous employment (I worked in the Security Industry!), I gained entry into QUT’s Master of Teaching (Secondary) degree in 2001. I became a High School Art Teacher, and found this was not fulfilling for me as I believed I could do more to help people express their artistic nature not being in a formal education system.