From the Head of 

Visual Arts

Visit from Guest Artist Scott Marr

Year 8 Visual Arts students had an exciting day last week with guest Artist Scott Marr who came in to talk to students about his artist practice and what drives him to make art that celebrates nature. Mr Marr generously brought in a wide range of drawings to inspire the students who are just starting their own compositions based on the importance of nature and human impact. Mr Marr talked about his subject matter, how he draws inspiration from his local environment in the Blue Mountains. His work is usually about the intricacies of nature and our place in it. He is inspired by micro details, patterns and colours he finds in trees, insects and animals.

His drawings are made by combining layers of handmade natural pigments created most of which he collects from the bush near his home, the roadside, the garden and sometimes even the kitchen. Some of his favourite raw materials include ochres, tree sap, flowers, bark, leaves, coffee beans, berries and even common weeds such as coreopsis which makes a strong orange. Part of Mr Marr’s processing technique is to add natural mordants (fixatives), preservatives and binding substances. 

Mr Marr shared his techniques and top tips with the students who are all collecting their own natural pigments in order to colour their own artwork. Mr Marr uses pyrography which is the practice of burning an image onto a surface, using specially designed tools, mostly on paper but he also enjoy working with wood.

In August this year we look forward to taking students up to see his exhibition at the Cultural Centre. Thank you again to Scott Marr for generously sharing his knowledge with BMGS students and inspiring students to care for nature understanding its importance. 

Thank you to the many students from different year groups who dropped by the classroom at recess and lunch to meet Scott and talk to him about his artist practice.

Mrs Sally Herron  

Head of Visual Arts