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
2024
Royal Easter Show: “Working the fields” First Prize Watercolour and Best Exhibit
ASMA, Lighthouses online exhibition: “Stormy seas” Highly Commended
2023
ASMA, Small Boats online exhibition: “Moored in the Estuary, Cornwall” Highly Commended
2016
Currabubula Art Show: “The colours of Summer” Best Acrylic
2014
Waterbrook Art Show “I love a cup of tea” Best Small Painting
2013
Currabubula Art Show: “Shallow Mooring” Best Miniature
2012
Sorrento Art Show: “The Red Necklace” First Prize Small Painting
2011
Art of Sydney Awards: “Six dinghies” Best in Show
2010
North Sydney Art Prize: “Enjoying Luna Park” First Prize Watercolour
Currabubula Art Show: “Riverbed” First Prize watercolour
Sorrento Art Show: “Sunshine and ripples” Best Watercolour
Kiama Art Show: “A light shower” First Prize Figurative Section
2009
Oatley 101 Society of Artists: “Moored in shallow water” Best in Show
Kiama Art Show: “Nine Marbles” First Prize, Still Life
Bright Festival of Arts: “Seagulls at Mills Beach” First Prize Watercolour
2008
Oatley 101 Society of Artists: “Moored in shallow water” Best in Show
Wyong Festival of Arts: “The Old Boathouse” First Prize Watercolour
2007
Currabubula Art Prize: “Riverbed” Best in Show
2006
Art of Sydney Awards: “Morning Light” First Prize in the 9 x 5 Section
