TWO years ago, Kathryn Wilson had never heard of Balmoral, she did not know anyone from the town and a move to south-west Victoria had never been on her bucket list.

Fast forward to April 2023 and she – along with husband David – is the town’s number one fan, unveiling her gift of 27 portraits of some of the community’s most recognisable characters in her exhibition ‘The Good People of Balmoral’.

“We were living in Melbourne, the whole (COVID-19) thing was happening and I was going crazy,” Ms Wilson said.

“(David) had always been looking at old banks and churches and schools around the countryside and he saw this renovated church up here in Coleraine Road, the Uniting Church.

“I was always putting him off, saying, you know ‘in the future’ or ‘later, later’; all I said this time was ‘will it get me out of Melbourne?’.”

With the city separated from the country by lockdown and having never visited the town, the Wilsons put their faith in a local real estate agent, who gave them a virtual tour of the church and assured them Balmoral was “a lovely place, I’m not pulling your leg”.

One random internet search and online auction later, Mr and Mrs Wilson were the proud owners of the 1865-built stone church, with no real comprehension of the wonderful future Balmoral had in store for them.

“We came up here and everyone was just so friendly … people were turning up with fruit and vegetables, giving us cakes, inviting us to their place for dinner and I said to David, ‘what is it with these people?’ … you just don’t get that in Melbourne.

“I kept saying I felt really guilty; I don’t grow vegetables, I don’t have anything to give.

“The only thing I have is my art and I thought maybe if I paint their portraits, that can be my gift to them.”

An artist from a young age, Mrs Wilson said following her studies and “some brief art school stuff”, marriage, children and work occupied much of her time and her art was put on the back-burner.

“Occasionally I would sketch or something, but … life got in the way,” she said.

“When we came up here, David said now that I had all this time on my hands, why don’t I do the dream I had … he said he would do up the Sunday School as a studio for me.

“I though about it, I’m not really a proper artist, but I said I’d give it a crack.”

In addition to gifts of homegrown produce and invitations to dinner, the Wilsons were welcomed as members of the local bowls club, enjoyed the social atmosphere of the pub and found some ‘treasures’ at the Op-Shop – all inspiration for the portraits of ‘The Good People of Balmoral’.

“We were just out and I said ‘hey, I want to do this thing, is there any chance I could have a photo of you’ and they all said yes,” Mrs Wilson said.

Each piece started out with those photographs, developing into a charcoal drawing and from there is ‘complete’ at its own unique stage, depending on the personality of the subject – some developing into a detailed and blended acrylic painting, while others maintain their whimsical form.

Influenced by a range of artists from around the world, including the UK’s Jane French, Dutch artist Rogier Willems, Australia’s David Darcy and Dan Butterworth, and German artist, Andreas Liss, Mrs Wilson followed their example of the use of light and shadow, to capture the character and personality of each person in the exhibition..

“They all start out as a drawing, charcoal and soft pastel, then I’ll sit on it for a while and then I’ll do the painting,” Mrs Wilson said.

“With Jim (Howman), he was the first one in my mind and that was really quick … the strokes are still really defined and I don’t mind that.

“Some of them I struggled with, so I was blending the strokes really carefully.

“I don’t really decide where they’re going to end … the eye tells the arm, that holds the brush and that’s just what comes out.”

Local farmer and former Balmoral publican, Karl Missen, is just one of the faces captured in the exhibition and said the show was a terrific representation of the town.

“It’s fantastic … she’s a fantastic artist, she’s done a beautiful thing for the community,” he said.

“It really represents the people of Balmoral, all the smiling faces and there’s people with some great stories, all here.”

Mrs Wilson said she was delighted with the community’s response to the collection and the leap of faith that brought her to Balmoral.

“Balmoral is now ‘home’ … I am grateful for the community spirit that makes it such a special place,” she said.

“The exhibition is my way of saying ‘thank you’ to one and all and … I’m just blown away by the reaction and I’m really happy with today.

“I thought there might be about 15 locals, if I was lucky, who would come and see what I’ve done, but I’ve been flat-out since the doors first opened.”

And while it had been officially unveiled, there were still additional faces to be included in the collection.

“Is it finished? I’d have to say ‘no’,” Mrs Wilson said.

“I’ve still got one photo here in my pocket, I haven’t even done it into a drawing yet and that’s one that must be included.

“And people are asking, can they have my number, they’d love to have a portrait of their mother or someone else in the family.

“When this is complete, I’m going to have a break, but after that, sure.”

‘The Good People of Balmoral’ will remain in the Balmoral Hall for now, with the Wilsons hoping to take the collection on tour, before donating it to the Balmoral Bowls Club for a fundraising auction for the club, later this year.

There are no ‘open hours’ for the hall, but anyone who would like to view the collection can phone Mr Wilson on 0438 878 842 and arrange a private viewing.