Page 75 - Port Douglas Magazine 34

“Dealing with artists that are international superstars like
Picasso, Warhol and Banksy is a total buzz” and having a
mentor in Gallery owner Darryn Lyons has opened
a new and exciting inspiring world for me.”

CHRISSIE MCLAUGHLIN

AUSTRALIAN ARTIST AND GALLERY CURATOR

“Even on my rare days off I like to paint”
My final guest is Chrissie McLaughlin. An accomplished artist, art
consultant, gallery curator, event organiser and artist mentor. In fact, by her
own admission there isn’t a much in the art world that she hasn’t lent her
skills to and she loves it all! And she’s very good at it all too!
Her passion for all things art and artist related has been acquired during her
life’s experience and her extensive travels. She grew up in Coffs Harbour and
from the age of 18 years old spent a decade in Sydney before travelling and She is well respected among all her fellow artists for her hard work and
living in Europe for another decade. She arrived in Port Douglas early 1990. tenacity, but a person she says she most admires also works within the
She was thrilled to discover a wealth of beauty and a multitude of amazing creative field. Chrissie cannot sing praises enough for close friend Alison
local artists who were interpreting and illustrating the region’s natural George from Catseye Productions, a local photographer and videographer.
wonders in their own different ways. “She is just so professional, creative, generous and emits a partnership
Over the past few years she has been focused in her pursuit of councils atmosphere that generates easy cooperation. In so many of the events we
grants. Representing creators, securing equipment, trying to ensure visual have been able to bring to fruition, much of their success has been thanks
art has a strong presence in the Douglas Shire. Projects such as the Art in to her hard work, input and creativity. And for that, I am ever thankful,”
Transit, Port Douglas Artists, Call of the Running Tide, and the hugely Chrissie said.
successful exhibition Retrospective, Past, Present and Future. This exhibition Whilst she must have the energy of an Olympic athlete to realise all these
alone celebrated the works of 58 local artists and helped raise more than tasks, she confesses there is nothing she loves more than enjoying the rainy
$75,000 in artwork sales. Working closely with Catseye Productions, the season, or the Green Season as she prefers to call it. “Watching everything
team also produced a mini-documentary to lobby for a permanent visual art come back to life is simply amazing. It’s the best time for blooming flowers
space in the Douglas Shire. and fruits to ripen, and the wildlife is never slow to take advantage of this
More recently, Chrissie has been consulting at The Lyons Gallery Port activity. It is nature’s inspiration and so very special.”
Douglas, Sheraton Mirage and now opening in Cairns. “Dealing with artists “During this time of year, everyone should take advantage of it, get out
that are international superstars like Picasso, Warhol and Banksy is a total and take a walk in the rain in the rainforest where you can stay cool and
buzz” and having a mentor in Gallery owner Darryn Lyons has opened a appreciate the incomparable beauty that surrounds you.” A timely reminder,
new and exciting inspiring world for me.” though, her pet peeve, rubbish! “I see so many cans and bottles discarded
Her description of the Douglas Shire is fun, she describes it as totally unique among the rainforest and surrounding hinterland.” Her advice: Cash em
and wonderfully eccentric … “Eccentric landscape, eccentric environment, in, don’t’ chuck em out! “I just can’t comprehend how people can live and
eccentric people” and “I love it with all these traits, as just that! It really is travel around this amazing environment and not realise the damage they can
like nowhere else in the world”. so easily do. It’s so fragile. Anyone who comes into contact with this region
She laughs out aloud when I ask her if she can pick one word that best should appreciate it for its treasure.
describes her. “Well, perhaps this should be my second career because I I must say that having spent this short time with Chrissie, I see her love and
would say, a juggler!” “With so many projects on the go at any one time, enthusiasm for the area, and art is second to none. Generated by her quiet
ideally I need to be an accomplished one at that! Whether it is time, focus, army of local artists, it is there for all to see, and it should be celebrated. I’ve
budgets, people, grants, and so the list goes on … if I can just keep all of already earmarked my next exhibition for 2022, anything that Chrissie is
those balls in the air and on the move, then success and enjoyment will organising! I know her positivity and passion will shine through, and the art
follow. Hopefully, too, it will allow me the opportunity to make a living in a will be the only hero.
world I have a passion for, art.”

PORT DOUGLAS MAGAZINE 75