Regina HONA
Seeking Melbourne
1 - 24 October 2015
When I think of what it means to be a painter, I see myself in front of my easel immersed in the
subject I am painting, surrounded by all my other artist paraphernalia such as canvases, sketches,
books, paints, brushes, pastels, drawing instruments; where I am lost in the work that is springing
up before my very eyes. It’s being so absorbed in what I am painting; drawing on my own emotions
to the subject and the relationship I have with it, that it is all that I can think about. I find that when I
am within the moment I am content to work and explore the dialogue that I have going on between
myself and my painting; that nothing else matters. It becomes a form of meditation to me.
If I add to this the revolving ideas and inspiration that I am constantly surrounded by or that light
the flame for my next painting or exhibition theme, my passion to paint continually evolves and
gains renewed focus. "Seeking Melbourne" has been one of these burning flames and focus. Artists
would know this, but to a non-painter this best describes how intense and consuming the artistic process can be.
I like to leave something to the imagination in my work that allows you the viewer to explore in your
own way, and that hopefully gives you a connection with the painting. I believe the inclusion of an
element of life within my work, whether it is a bird, animal or person, also changes it from being a
static lifeless subject to one where I feel part of the scene and therefore relate more easily to it.
To me it’s the people that make a city…and the life within it.
Paintings have enriched our history and the lives of those that have paintings on their walls. My
passion allows me to grow in the pursuit of my art, and to you the viewer especially if you live in
Melbourne, hopefully my paintings can give you a personal connection. We all experience places
in different ways and see different things, but perhaps through my art I have allowed you to see
Melbourne from another or different perspective.
Regina Hona, Melbourne, 2015
subject I am painting, surrounded by all my other artist paraphernalia such as canvases, sketches,
books, paints, brushes, pastels, drawing instruments; where I am lost in the work that is springing
up before my very eyes. It’s being so absorbed in what I am painting; drawing on my own emotions
to the subject and the relationship I have with it, that it is all that I can think about. I find that when I
am within the moment I am content to work and explore the dialogue that I have going on between
myself and my painting; that nothing else matters. It becomes a form of meditation to me.
If I add to this the revolving ideas and inspiration that I am constantly surrounded by or that light
the flame for my next painting or exhibition theme, my passion to paint continually evolves and
gains renewed focus. "Seeking Melbourne" has been one of these burning flames and focus. Artists
would know this, but to a non-painter this best describes how intense and consuming the artistic process can be.
I like to leave something to the imagination in my work that allows you the viewer to explore in your
own way, and that hopefully gives you a connection with the painting. I believe the inclusion of an
element of life within my work, whether it is a bird, animal or person, also changes it from being a
static lifeless subject to one where I feel part of the scene and therefore relate more easily to it.
To me it’s the people that make a city…and the life within it.
Paintings have enriched our history and the lives of those that have paintings on their walls. My
passion allows me to grow in the pursuit of my art, and to you the viewer especially if you live in
Melbourne, hopefully my paintings can give you a personal connection. We all experience places
in different ways and see different things, but perhaps through my art I have allowed you to see
Melbourne from another or different perspective.
Regina Hona, Melbourne, 2015
Regina HONA AGRAF
Curriculum Vitae
After her first career as a bi-lingual Private Secretary, Regina turned to painting full time in 2004. Having trained for three years in the classical tonal method of oil painting, Regina continued to expand her knowledge and technique through experimentation and by attending several workshops and classes in various mediums. Regina predominately works in oils and soft pastels and in past years has specialised in painting the human form and water subjects where she places great emphasis on the mood, light and composition of her subjects.
As well as providing work for her galleries, painting for national competitions now plays a large part in Regina’s artistic life as well as conducting international painting tours, art show judging, and tutoring workshops Australia wide. She has curated exhibitions for the charity, Very Special Kids for their Friends Gallery and is a member of the Melbourne based group of six professional artists - Fusion6.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2015 Seeking Melbourne, Solo Exhibition, Quadrant Gallery, Victoria
Winner, Best Seascape, Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia
2014 Group Exhibition - Australians at Work, Portrait Artist’s Australia, Melbourne
Joint Exhibition - Brialyn Boathouse Gallery, Victoria
Group Exhibition - Friend’s Gallery Friends Gallery, Malvern, Victoria
2012 Winner, Ming Mackay Award, PSVA
Winner, Best in Show Runner-up, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia Exhibition (Portrait)
Group Exhibition, Portrait Artists’ Australia, Sydney, NSW
2011 Group Exhibition, Detour - Portraits From A Hard Road Exhibition, fusion6, Melbourne
Group Exhibition, All the World’s a Stage, Portrait Artists’ Australia, Melbourne
Melba’s Marvellous Melbourne group exhibition, VAS Gallery, Melbourne
2010 Winner, A.M.E. Bale Art Prize, Best Work on Paper (Portrait), Melbourne
Selected Hidden Faces of the Archibald Exhibition, Melbourne
Group Exhibition - Friend’s Gallery, Malvern, Victoria (consecutively 2000 to 2010)
2009 Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize Exhibition, Melbourne
Guest Artist, St. Kevin’s College, Toorak, VIC
Winner, Ming Mackay Award, PSVA
Winner, Best in Show, AGRA, Summer Exhibition
Winner, Best in Show Runner-up, Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia (Portrait)
2008 Fellowship awarded - The Australian Guild of Realist Artists’ (AGRA)
Winner, Best Figurative, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia Exhibition
Finalist, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, Bega, NSW
Finalist, The A.M.E. Bale Art Prize, Travel Scholarship
Medallion Exhibition, AGRA Galleries, Camberwell, VIC
Selected Group Exhibition, Hidden Faces of the Archibald, Melbourne, VIC
2007 Winner, Terry Collins Medallion Award, AGRA, Camberwell, VIC
Winner, Best in Show, AGRA, Spring Exhibition
Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize Exhibition, Melbourne, VIC
Finalist, James Farrell Self-Portrait Selected Exhibition, Castlemaine Regional Gallery
Joint Exhibition, Maling Road Gallery, Canterbury, VIC
Group Exhibition, About Face, fusion6, Melbourne - (toured nationally until Jan 2010)
2006 Finalist, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, Bega, NSW
Group Exhibition, fusion6, Arlington, VIC
Joint Exhibition, White Hill Gallery, Red Hill/Dromana, VIC
Finalist, The A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship, Glen Eira, VIC
2005 Solo Exhibition, AGRA Galleries, Camberwell, VIC
Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize Exhibition, Melbourne, VIC
Winner, Best in Show, Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia
Winner, Ballast Stone Wine Award, Victor Harbor Rotary Show, SA
2004 Solo Exhibition, White Hill Gallery, Red Hill/Dromana, VIC
Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize, Melbourne, VIC
Winner, Best Pastel, San Remo/Newhaven Lions Club, Victoria
Winner, Best Painting (Kevin A. Taylor Award), Australian Art Excellence Awards
Winner, Best in Show, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia (Portrait)
2003 Winner, Best Seascape, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia
2002 Solo Exhibition, Ecliptic Gallery, Armadale VIC
Winner, Best in Show, MAS Autumn Exhibition, Malvern VIC
2001 David Sumner Gallery, Group Exhibition, Adelaide, SA
PUBLICATIONS
Book – Travel Inspiration, by Regina Hona, May 2014
Book – Luminous Colour, Showcasing Australian Pastel Artists 2014
Book - The Artists’ Book, Portrait Artists’ Australia, 2012
Book – Detour, Portraits From A Hard Road, by Fusion6 – November 2011
Book – Best of Worldwide Charcoal, Pastel & Pencil Artists, Vol II, 2011
Book - About Face, by Fusion6 – December 2007
International Artist Magazine – Aug/Sep 2007
Australian Artist Magazine – July 2007
Australian Artist Magazine – May 2006
Herald Sun Newspaper – April 26, 2006 (feature article)
International Artist Magazine – Dec/Jan 2004
AFFILIATIONS
Fellow of The Australian Guild of Realist Artists’ (AGRAF)
Member of The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia
Curriculum Vitae
After her first career as a bi-lingual Private Secretary, Regina turned to painting full time in 2004. Having trained for three years in the classical tonal method of oil painting, Regina continued to expand her knowledge and technique through experimentation and by attending several workshops and classes in various mediums. Regina predominately works in oils and soft pastels and in past years has specialised in painting the human form and water subjects where she places great emphasis on the mood, light and composition of her subjects.
As well as providing work for her galleries, painting for national competitions now plays a large part in Regina’s artistic life as well as conducting international painting tours, art show judging, and tutoring workshops Australia wide. She has curated exhibitions for the charity, Very Special Kids for their Friends Gallery and is a member of the Melbourne based group of six professional artists - Fusion6.
SELECTED EXHIBITIONS
2015 Seeking Melbourne, Solo Exhibition, Quadrant Gallery, Victoria
Winner, Best Seascape, Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia
2014 Group Exhibition - Australians at Work, Portrait Artist’s Australia, Melbourne
Joint Exhibition - Brialyn Boathouse Gallery, Victoria
Group Exhibition - Friend’s Gallery Friends Gallery, Malvern, Victoria
2012 Winner, Ming Mackay Award, PSVA
Winner, Best in Show Runner-up, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia Exhibition (Portrait)
Group Exhibition, Portrait Artists’ Australia, Sydney, NSW
2011 Group Exhibition, Detour - Portraits From A Hard Road Exhibition, fusion6, Melbourne
Group Exhibition, All the World’s a Stage, Portrait Artists’ Australia, Melbourne
Melba’s Marvellous Melbourne group exhibition, VAS Gallery, Melbourne
2010 Winner, A.M.E. Bale Art Prize, Best Work on Paper (Portrait), Melbourne
Selected Hidden Faces of the Archibald Exhibition, Melbourne
Group Exhibition - Friend’s Gallery, Malvern, Victoria (consecutively 2000 to 2010)
2009 Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize Exhibition, Melbourne
Guest Artist, St. Kevin’s College, Toorak, VIC
Winner, Ming Mackay Award, PSVA
Winner, Best in Show, AGRA, Summer Exhibition
Winner, Best in Show Runner-up, Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia (Portrait)
2008 Fellowship awarded - The Australian Guild of Realist Artists’ (AGRA)
Winner, Best Figurative, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia Exhibition
Finalist, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, Bega, NSW
Finalist, The A.M.E. Bale Art Prize, Travel Scholarship
Medallion Exhibition, AGRA Galleries, Camberwell, VIC
Selected Group Exhibition, Hidden Faces of the Archibald, Melbourne, VIC
2007 Winner, Terry Collins Medallion Award, AGRA, Camberwell, VIC
Winner, Best in Show, AGRA, Spring Exhibition
Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize Exhibition, Melbourne, VIC
Finalist, James Farrell Self-Portrait Selected Exhibition, Castlemaine Regional Gallery
Joint Exhibition, Maling Road Gallery, Canterbury, VIC
Group Exhibition, About Face, fusion6, Melbourne - (toured nationally until Jan 2010)
2006 Finalist, Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, Bega, NSW
Group Exhibition, fusion6, Arlington, VIC
Joint Exhibition, White Hill Gallery, Red Hill/Dromana, VIC
Finalist, The A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship, Glen Eira, VIC
2005 Solo Exhibition, AGRA Galleries, Camberwell, VIC
Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize Exhibition, Melbourne, VIC
Winner, Best in Show, Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia
Winner, Ballast Stone Wine Award, Victor Harbor Rotary Show, SA
2004 Solo Exhibition, White Hill Gallery, Red Hill/Dromana, VIC
Finalist, ANL Maritime Prize, Melbourne, VIC
Winner, Best Pastel, San Remo/Newhaven Lions Club, Victoria
Winner, Best Painting (Kevin A. Taylor Award), Australian Art Excellence Awards
Winner, Best in Show, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia (Portrait)
2003 Winner, Best Seascape, Pastel Society of Victoria Australia
2002 Solo Exhibition, Ecliptic Gallery, Armadale VIC
Winner, Best in Show, MAS Autumn Exhibition, Malvern VIC
2001 David Sumner Gallery, Group Exhibition, Adelaide, SA
PUBLICATIONS
Book – Travel Inspiration, by Regina Hona, May 2014
Book – Luminous Colour, Showcasing Australian Pastel Artists 2014
Book - The Artists’ Book, Portrait Artists’ Australia, 2012
Book – Detour, Portraits From A Hard Road, by Fusion6 – November 2011
Book – Best of Worldwide Charcoal, Pastel & Pencil Artists, Vol II, 2011
Book - About Face, by Fusion6 – December 2007
International Artist Magazine – Aug/Sep 2007
Australian Artist Magazine – July 2007
Australian Artist Magazine – May 2006
Herald Sun Newspaper – April 26, 2006 (feature article)
International Artist Magazine – Dec/Jan 2004
AFFILIATIONS
Fellow of The Australian Guild of Realist Artists’ (AGRAF)
Member of The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia
