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WA illustrator named as Cossack artist-in-residence

Shannon BeattiePilbara News
Ross Potter works on a life-sized sketch of Perth Zoo’s Asian elephant Tricia.
Camera IconRoss Potter works on a life-sized sketch of Perth Zoo’s Asian elephant Tricia. Credit: Ross Potter

Award-winning Fremantle illustrator Ross Potter will immerse himself in the unique and inspiring surrounds of one of WA’s earliest settlements as part of the 2019 Cossack Art Awards.

Selected for the prestigious artist-in-residence program sponsored by Rio Tinto, in July Potter will relocate to the the historical settlement for four weeks to produce a series of artworks inspired by his experiences over the month.

Potter said he was excited for the experience and falling in love with the concept and the idea of being in the remote North West.

“The more I scratched at the surface the more I was intrigued by the area, it has such a historical significance and such a beautiful landscape,” he said.

Potter works with graphite on paper and was originally inspired by the old buildings in Fremantle

He has since moved on to more nature-inspired pieces, which take two to three months to draw, but up to three times as long to plan.

“Nature is a really important story to tell and I wanted to document that, he said.

“The animals are a lot of fun to do and life-size was the one way I found to really show off the characteristics of the creature.”

As artist-in-residence, he will also facilitate a series of workshops at Cossack as part of the public program of events on offer each year during the Cossack Art Awards.

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