By ALANA MITCHELSON
KIRA Dixon does not let her physical limitations restrict her creative freedom when it comes to her art.
“Being wheelchair bound, I can’t do things the conventional way. I have to be able to adapt myself to my limitations,” the 25-year-old said.
“I place the canvas on the floor and paint from the ground position. I lean over it and work around it. It’s totally out of my comfort zone.
“And it’s quite challenging to get a constant perspective of my work.”
The young Gembrook artist is a promising entrant in this year’s Yakkerboo Art Show, according to organisers.
Once a portraiture painter and strictly a black-and-white artist, for the past five years Ms Dixon has explored a new “unique” style and has recently begun dabbling with colour.
“I would describe my style as a spider painting of the natural form,” she said.
“I flick paint to accentuate movement and use sumie paint to produce a shadowing effect.
Ms Dixon juggles studying and working in the human resources department of a disability service provider while running her own art and graphic design business.
While Kira was initially hesitant to enter the show, Yakkerboo president Jillian Ronald said she was excited about discovering this young local artist.
“I think her art is amazing. We have not had anything like this at Yakkerboo before,” Ms Ronald said.
“I am so excited to have her as a young artist at our show. She is new, passionate and vibrant.
“She has an appreciation of the human form and paints for pleasure and enjoyment.
“It is great when a new artist exhibits with us for the first time.”
Ms Dixon has entered three pieces at the Yakkerboo Show which runs between 27 and 29 May at Pakenham Hall.
