Freda was born in Harrow, England, and studied art and later graphic design and illustration at Bourneville School of Art, Birmingham, United Kingdom. She worked in London as a graphic designer in publishing as well as illustrating two children’s books and teaching art for several years. Since arriving in Australia in 1982, Freda has established herself through solo exhibitions and group shows as a highly respected acrylic and watercolour painter. Freda has been featured as a master painter in both the Water Colour Annual ’98 and International Artist Magazine. Articles on her work have since appeared in Australian Artist Magazine. She is a multi-award winning artist, including the Mosman Art Prize, the Royal Easter Show and the CASS Art of Sydney Awards.
Freda has been a member of Oatley 101 Society of Artists for over 20 years and has exhibited in all their exhibitions and served on their committee. In 2017 she was made a Life member for her services to the society. In October 2003, Freda was accepted as an exhibiting member of the Royal Art Society of NSW and has showed her work in all their exhibitions since then. In 2009, Freda was elevated to “Fellow”. In early April 2023, Freda became a member of the Australian Society of Marine Artists and later that month was elevated to Exhibiting Member. Freda, who has always been interested in people, both at work and play, demonstrates a high level of excellence using vibrant colours to depict a great variety of subjects from landscapes through waterscapes, cityscapes, still-life, floral, portraiture, life painting and miniatures.
Freda is totally dedicated to her work – when she’s not painting she is thinking about it. She feels that good draughtsmanship is a basis for successful painting and never stops drawing. She works in fine detail using strong colour to create pieces, which glow with life and light. This results in highly successful warm paintings, which demonstrate her ability to capture and recreate the images realistically. This is reflected by the number of her works, which are highly sought after by collectors both in Australia and overseas.
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Awards & Achievements
Friends Mosman Art Prize 1988
Dockscape Hung at the Salon de Refuses, 1994
Sweet indulgence Best in show, Kiama Art Prize, 1999
Crossing the jetty First Prize, Royal Easter Show, Marine Section, 2000
The red bike First Prize Watercolour Art of Sydney Awards 2002
Early morning, Darling Harbour’ First Prize Watercolour, Box Hill Art Prize 2003
Two dinghies Best in Show, Art of Sydney Awards 2005
The silver teapot First prize Acrylic Australian Society of Miniature Art 2005
First Prize Miniature Art of Sydney Awards 2006
Mary Woolstonecraft Lane First Prize Traditional North Sydney Art Prize 2005
Best in Show Oatley 101 Society of Artists Members Exhibition 2005
The daydreamer First Prize Watercolour Art of Sydney Awards 2006
At the low tide First Prize Watercolour Wyong Festival of Arts 2006
Best in show, Currabbubula art prize 2007
Morning Light First Prize 9 x 5 Section, Art of Sydney Awards 2006
The old Boathouse First Prize Watercolour Wyong Festival of Arts 2008
Moored in shallow water Best in Show Oatley 101 Society of Artists 2008
People’s choice Award Oatley 101 Society of Artists November 2009
Seagulls at Mills Beach First Prize Watercolour: Bright Festival of Arts 2009
Nine Marbles First Prize Still Life Kiama Art Show 2009
Finalist at Mortimer Art Prize 2010
Three seagulls People’s choice Award Oatley 101 Society of Artists Dec 2009
Sunshine and ripples Best Watercolour Sorrento Art Show 2010
Riverbed First Prize Watercolour Currabubula Art show 2010
Enjoying Luna Park First Prize Watercolour North Sydney Art Prize 2010
Moored in the Estuary, Cornwall ASMA Online Exhibition: ‘Small Boats’, Highly Commended 2023
Stormy Seas ASMA Online Exhibition: ‘Lighthouses’, Highly Commended 2024
