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My Passion & Background

It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.
Picture

I believe it is essential to begin drawing and painting with a solid technical, fundamental base of realistic drawing and painting skills.

Like when building a house, a strong foundation is vital. It is from this strong base of knowledge that we can break free to create whatever our heart desires. We can leave things out we have learned, but we cannot add what we don't know.
Martina Pook Photo 2019 Picture

Martina Pook

Pook, as in book, cook, nook, hook. 
Selfportrait Ernst Weitkuhn
Self-portrait of my grandfather the artist Ernst Weitkuhn

My love for the arts was sparked by my grandfather the artist Ernst Weitkuhn whom I loved dearly. After having received arts training  for three years at the Peter Schneider Atelier in Germany,  I became a commercial illustrator and practiced this profession for over 15 years. 

In 1991 I immigrated to Australia and continued to work as an artist and illustrator. As my English was insufficient,  I needed to learn English fast, so I decided for a degree in Graphic Design / Illustration, at the QSPGA, Queenland School of Printing and Graphic Arts.  Soon after I continued my work as a commercial illustrator. My clienteles included major companies such as BP, BHP, the Queensland Government, Channel Ten and many more. At the same time I began teaching and worked as a senior art teacher at Gold Coast Art School in Southport which was known at that time for its high quality of teaching. 

One of my favourite projects over the years was the creation and co-directorship of Illustration House Pty Ltd, a Visual Literacy Centre with adjacent Gallery and art school, training children, adults, and teachers alike in art and visual literacy. I left the business due to the terminal illness of my late husband and cared for him until his passing in 2005.

One of my favourite projects over the years was the creation and co-directorship of Illustration House Pty Ltd, a Visual Literacy Centre with adjacent Gallery and art school, training children, adults, and teachers alike in art and visual literacy. I left the business due to the terminal illness of my late husband and cared for him until his passing in 2005.

Over the years, I passionately held numerous roles within the arts industry, including presentations and lecturing of art business seminars and discussion rounds for emerging artists. Teaching became my main interest in 1999 at which time I had stopped freelancing as an illustrator to teach art full time. I still operate as an art show judge and present talks relating to artwork critiques, business skills and planning within the art sector.

In 2003, I was nominated as Member of the selection panel for the Biennale Internazionale Dell'Arte Contemporanea organised by the World Bank, UNESCO, and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Florence, Italy for the selection of Australian Artist.

In 2009, I was invited to join the board of the Regional Arts Development Fund Committee, Gold Coast City Council. My role as a committee member involved making recommendations to Arts Queensland for the funding of emerging artists and art organisations, and stayed in this position for over two years.
Picture Icon Leaf Element

On a personal level, I have found utter joy and peace in my marriage to Deane. Yes, the best husband in the world. 

My joy was eternally fulfilled 
with a powerful conversion to Christ in 2010, which directed my interest into ministry and volunteer work.

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MARTINA POOK ©  2016-2022                     |                     68 Armstrong Way, Highland Park, QLD 4211                    |                   Trading as Martina Pook                  |               ABN 54905 254 156
  • Home
    • Art School Surveys
    • Mailing List
    • Art News Blog
  • Art Tips
    • 1 Year Drawing & Painting >
      • Daily Watercolour Practice >
        • January
        • February
        • March
        • April
        • May
        • June
        • July
        • August
        • September
        • October
        • November
        • December
      • Daily Drawing Practice >
        • January
        • February
        • March
        • April
        • May
        • June
        • July
        • August
        • September
        • October
    • Art Business Tips >
      • Before Starting A Business
      • Earn from Your Drawings
      • Pricing Your Artwork
      • Art Business Planning
      • Arts Marketing
      • Artist Proposal Writing
      • Creative Website Writing
      • Copyright (eousness)
      • Organise Your Art Business
      • Networking for Artists
      • 5 Tips for Instagram Success
      • The Power of Pinterest
      • Art Is A Business
    • Free Art Business Books
    • Free Art Instruction Books
    • Free Stockphoto Collection >
      • Art Students Photo Collection >
        • Peculiar Photo Collection
        • Landscape Photo Collection
    • Artists Reference Photos >
      • Artist Reference Bundles
    • Best Art Websites
    • Book Recommendations
    • Gift Ideas for Artists
    • Art Magazines
    • Art Organisations
    • Art Accountants
    • Art Competitions
    • Art Infographics
    • Artists Info Sheets
    • Artists Signatures
    • Web Tools For Artists
  • Martina's Articles
    • Painting Tips
    • 15 Must Have Skills for Art Students
    • Art Competition Benefits
    • Art Material Glossary
    • Benefits of Art Classes
    • Coloured Pencils Article
    • Coloured Pencil Studies
    • Colour Mixing Article
    • Did You Know?
    • Learn to draw in 15 minutes a day
    • The Art of Learning Art
    • Why We Need Creativity
  • Art Workshops | Classes
    • Art Materials Lists
    • Art Student Portal >
      • Drawing Introduction >
        • Line Contour Variation
        • Measuring Proportions
        • Atmospheric Perspective
        • Shading Laws
        • Composition
      • Painting Introduction
      • Portrait Drawing Introduction >
        • The Eye
      • Coloured Pencil Introduction
      • Colour Mixing Introduction
    • Gallery >
      • Kids Art Gallery
      • Teen Students Gallery
      • Adult Art Students Gallery
      • Student Scholarship >
        • 2018 Scholarship Winner
        • 2018 Scholarship Winner
        • 2017 Scholarship Winner
        • 2015 Scholarship Winner
      • Artist in Residence >
        • 2017 Artist in Residence
      • Opportunities for Students
    • Refund Policies
  • About
  • Contact