About Grace Paleg

“Gemma”

Grace Paleg is an Australian artist who specializes in the medium of pastel. She keeps changing her mind about how long this apprenticeship is! Maybe a few years, maybe ten or twenty as she once thought – not so – Grace is up to 50 and is now beginning to hope her apprenticeship won’t be cut short. There is a lot of work to be done and she feels now with every new painting that her journey has just begun.

She has always enjoyed and been confident in her abilities to draw, and happily, no-one ever told her that she couldn’t.

Having studied Graphic Design at Swinburne in Melbourne for two years and life drawing and portraiture at East Sydney Tech. Although Grace enjoyed very much the life of the art student she feels that the best instruction she received was working privately in oils with the late Leslie Sinclair at Monsalvat in 1985. She appreciated greatly her expertise in tonal impressionism and her honesty and quiet humility. Grace also benefited from the tuition of the late Allan Martin at his studio in Eltham. She has never had lessons in pastel but knows that her founding in oil paves the way perfectly for pastel.

When she had two young sons, she found it more and more difficult to juggle the busy lifestyle with the restrained requirements that go along with working in oil. Not so the get-up-and-go of pastel. A friend and fellow artist introduced her to the medium in 1987 and she has been with it happily ever since.

Grace began exhibiting in 1990 and joined the Victorian Pastel Society in 1993. She is also a member of the Australian Pastel Society, and the Australian Guild of Realists Artists; and President of the South Coast Pastel Society.

Her family spent seventeen years in country Victoria before a move in 1994 to the south coast of N.S.W. where she opened the Grace Paleg Fine Art Studio Gallery two years later.

It is from here that Grace continues to work and teach local students, as well as hold workshops for various groups around Australia.

“View Grace’s detailed awards“

Grace Paleg is a Fellow and signatory member
of The Australian Guild of Realist Artists
Dedicated to the excellence of realist and representational art.

Grace Paleg is a recipient of the
Signature award of the Pastel Society of Australia

“No-one else can capture light like she can.”

Dottie

Grace’s Awards

2021

Artavita, 49th International Online Art Contest
Finalist, Artist in Artist of the Year

Creative Arts Batemans Bay Inc, 36th Annual Visual Arts Exhibition
People’s Choice award – 2D Fine Art
“The Road to Braidwood”

2020

Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia’s 33rd Annual Exhibition
Highly commended “The Road from Durras”

The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia
Eckersley’s Members’ Encouragement Awards
First Prize – Professional Pastelists: ” Fall on the Fourth Dimension”

AGRA Autumn Online Exhibition 2020
Commended ” Fall on the Fourth Dimension”

2019

Creative Arts Batemans Bay Inc, 34th Annual Exhibition
First Prize: “Love The Bay”
Award of Excellence -Judges Choice:”Cups of Joy”
Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia – Awarded Signature Award 2019
Finalist in the Basil Sellers Art Prize
Finalist in the 14th International ARC Salon Competition (2019-2020)
“River of Dreams”
Invitation to exhibit in the Inaugural Exhibition of  The BAS 2019
“River of Dreams ” 
“Calamity before the Calm”
Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia’s 32nd Annual Exhibition
Highly commended   “Amber Autumn”
South Coast Pastel Society Annual Exhibition 2019
Peoples Choice  “Fall on the Floor”

2018

Finalist in the Basil Sellers Art Prize
Finalist in the 13th International ARC Salon Competition
AGRA Spring Exhibition 2018
 Highly Commended “Smell the Roses, Feel the Joy”
Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia’s 31st Annual Exhibition
 Presidents’ Award “Cups of Joy”
Camberwell Art Show July 2018
 Highly commended “Cups of Joy”
Shoalhaven Art Society 53 Annual Open Art Exhibition 2018
 Highly Commended “Cups of Joy ll”
 Peoples Choice “Cups of Joy ll”
South Coast Pastel Society National Exhibition 2018
 First Prize Best painting by a member of the South Coast Pastel Society “Jane”
 Second Prize Landscape “Earthscape QF445 1998”
Montaque Arts and Craft Easter exhibition 2018
 First prize works on paper – “Spacescape Gracefully Dreaming”
Creative Arts Batemans Bay Inc, 33rd Annual Exhibition
 First Prize best Pastel “Earthscape Impossible”
 Highly commended “A light on gum and Nautilus”

2017

Creative Arts Batemans Bay Inc, 32nd Annual Exhibition
 Second Prize- Best Pastel “Launceston Still life”
Kiama Art Society 39th Annual Exhibition
 Second Prize Still life “Launceston Still life”
Montaque Arts and Craft Easter exhibition 2017
 First prize works on paper – “Early Morning Magic”

2016

AGRA Winter Exhibition 2016
 Highly Commended “Earthscape Batemans Bay”
Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia’s 29th Annual Exhibition
 Best in Show “Earthscape Batemans Bay”
Batemans Bay Arts and Crafts Society, 31st Annual Exhibition
 The John Malloy award – Best Portrait “Eunice”
 First Prize – Best Pastel “The Passage of Light 3D”
South Coast Pastel Society National Exhibition 2016
 Best in Show “Jenny”
 Highly Commended “Adams Dream”
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists Online Summer 2016 Exhibition
 2nd Place Award “Three Sheep”
 Highly Commended Award for “The Passage of Light 3D”

2015

The Australian Guild of Realist Artists
 Certificate of Recognition for a high standard of Artistic merit and consistent quality in AGRA exhibitions
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists
 The David A Taylor award 15/16
 Best painting in show at the Medallion Exhibition 2015 ‘The Apology’
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists Online Spring 2015 Exhibition
 Second Prize ‘Rowena’
The Inaugural Olive Tree portrait Prize 2015
 First Place ‘Eunice’
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists Online Winter 2015 Exhibition
 Highly commended ‘Mr Christopher A James’
Alley Archies Portrait Prize Escape Artfest
 Highly Commended ‘Mr Christopher A James’
Kiama Art Society 37th Annual Exhibition
 Figurative/Portrait Second Place ‘Rowena’
 Still life Commended ‘The Apology’
St John’s Art Show Boorowa
 Best in Show
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists Autumn 2015 Exhibition
 Commended ‘Paleg Pears’
River of Art 2015
 Highly commended ‘Claude Claudette and Clueless’
Australian Guild of Realist Artists Online Summer 2015 Exhibition
 First Prize “Rex begonia with Jeannetta”
 Commended “one Pear”
Batemans Bay Arts and Crafts Society, 30th Annual Exhibition
 The John Malloy award – Best overall exhibit ‘Little brother, big Sister Maddie and Harrison’
 Second Prize Pastel The maids of Orlean’
 Commended Pastel ‘ Portrait Susan Nader’

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2014

Australian Guild of Realist Artists awarded Fellowship Status AGRAF
Australian Art Magazines Art Prize Challenge No. 58
 Finalist Flowers and Gardens “From the Garden”
Australian Guild of Realist Artists, Spring seasonal Exhibition 2014
 2nd Runner Up  Best in Show  ‘Sash’
Kiama Art Society 36th Annual Exhibition
 Still life, Highly Commended. (From the Garden)
Australian Guild of Realist Artists Online Autumn Winter 2014 Exhibition
 Second  Prize (Roses and Tea with Anne)
 Commended (Sash)
Batemans Bay Arts &Crafts Soc Inc
 29th Annual Art & Craft Exhibition
 First Prize  Pastel
Batemans Bay Arts &Crafts Soc Inc
 29th Annual Art & Craft Exhibition
 People’s Choice
Australian Art Magazines Art Prize Challenge No. 55
 First Prize- Best Still Life & Florals
The 2013-2014 International Art Renewal Centre Competition
 Finalist in Animals (“Seagull Shindig”) and Still life (“Kiss the Floor”)
Pastel 2014: Realism and Impressionism, Collection Beaux-Arts Realiste
 Honourable mentions: “Kiss The Floor”, “Little Brother, Big Sister”
The Inaugural Access Archaeology & Heritage National Exhibition
 Award for the best painting by a member of the South Coast Pastel Society
 “The Bay Boardwalk at Twilight”

2013

Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia’s 26th Annual Exhibition
 Runner-up for Best in Show award
Australian Guild of Realist Artists On-line Autumn 2013 Exhibition
 Third Prize (Kirsten)
Batemans Bay Arts and Crafts  Society, 28th Annual Exhibition
The John Ward Memorial Prize – Best overall exhibit (“Lee”)
Commended Pastel
The 2012-2013 International Art Renewal Centre Competition
Finalist in Landscape (’Strike me Lucky’)

2012

The Australian Guild of Realist Artists
The Terry Collins Medallion ‘12/13
Signatory Membership
Australian Guild of Realist Artists On-line Summer 2012 Exhibition
2 Highly Commended awards
Australian Guild of Realist Artists On-line Spring 2012 Exhibition
2 Commended awards
Kiama Art Society 34th Annual Exhibition
Still life, First Place
Batemans bay Art & Craft Society Annual Exhibition
The Cystic Fibrosis Award of Excellence
Best Pastel
Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize”
Finalist
French Art Magazine “Practique Des Arts”
Published and front cover
Finalist in Australian Artist Art Prize Challenge Series. Challenge no.
Favourite Subject
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition
Second Prize overall
St Peters Anglican College 2012 Art Show
Highly Commended
Australian Guild of Realist Artists, AAL Summer Autumn 2012 Competition.
Second Place

2011

Batemans bay Art & Craft Society  27th Annual Exhibition
Peoples Choice
The South Coast Pastel Society Glimpses Exhibition
Third Prize, People’s Choice
The Pastel Society of Victoria Annual Exhibition
Overall winner, Best in Show
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists Summer Exhibition
Best in Show “Fall on the Floor”

2010

Montague Art and Craft Easter show
Best in Show “The Passage of Light”
Batemans bay Art & Craft Society  26thAnnual Exhibition
First Prize Portrait ArtyBald “Memories of our Matriarch”
Highly Commended “Fragrant Light”

2008

South Coast Pastel Society’s “Italian Exhibition”
 The inaugural Eric Kirkland Art Prize “The Search”
Kiama Art Society 30th Annual Exhibition
 1st Place, Illawarra Region Painting by a Member of the Kiama Art Society
 2nd Place Portrait Painting
AGRA Summer Exhibition
Commended AGRA Summer Exhibition
Batemans Bay Arts & Crafts Society Inc. 23rd Annual Exhibition
 2nd Prize, Drawing “India”

2007

Herald Sun Camberwell Rotary Art Show
 Best Pastel in Show
Australian Guild of Realist Artists – Summer Exhibition
 Runner-up Best Painting
Australian Guild of Realist Artists – Autumn Exhibition
 Highly Commended
Australian Guild of Realist Artists – Winter Exhibition
 Highly Commended

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2006

Batemans Bay Art & Craft Society Inc. 21st Annual Exhibition
 First Prize Peoples Choice
 Second Prize Pastel
Montague 25th Art and Craft Easter Show
 Peoples Choice

2005

Australian Artist Art Prize Challenge Series. Challenge no.20 still life
 Second Prize
The Combined Moruya C.W.A. & South Coast Pastel Society Inc. “Days of Innocents” Exhibition
 Peoples First Choice award
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 Highly commended (members)

2004

Batemans Bay Art & Craft Society Inc 19th Annual Exhibition
 Second prize Pastel
Shirley Hannan Portrait Prize
 Second Prize Peoples choice
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Overall Exhibit
 Highly commended (Traditional)
Pastel Society of Victoria Annual Exhibition 2004
 Ming B. Mackay Prize for the most popular pastel voted by Victorian Pastel Society members

2003

Batemans Bay Art & Craft Society Inc 18th Annual Exhibition
 Best Painting overall
 First Prize Portraiture
 Second prize Pastel
 Best Female Artist hanging overall
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Overall Exhibit
Alexander Berry Art Exhibition 2003
 Highly commended (Portrait)
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition
 Commended (Traditional)

2002

Batemans Bay Art & Craft Society Inc 17th Annual Exhibition
 First Prize Portraiture
The South Coast Pastel Society’s Great Fakes Show
 Third Prize
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 Second Best Overall Exhibit
 Peoples Choice
 Highly Commended (Pastel Section)
Judged the Bega Valley Regional Gallery Art Awards
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Prize (Portrait Section)
 Commended (Still life Section)

2001

Batemans Bay Art and Craft Exhibition
 The Chris Vardon Portraiture Prize – First Prize
 Second Prize Pastel.
Montague Art and Craft Easter show
 Best Pastel
 Second prize, Oils
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 Second Best Overall Exhibit
 Highly Commended Portraiture
 Peoples Choice
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Prize ( Portrait Section)
 Highly Commended (Pastel Section)
Bega Valley Regional Gallery Art Awards
 Best Pastel
Alexander Berry Art Exhibition 2001
 The Shoalhaven Portrait Acquisition
Homage to Moruya Granite Art Exhibition
 The Peter Thomas Award Best Pastel

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2000

Batemans Bay Art and Craft Exhibition
 The Chris Vardon Portraiture Prize – First Prize
 Best Pastel
 Highly Commended
Herald Sun Camberwell Rotary Art Show 2000
 Expo Hire Prize, Best Pastel In Show
Montague Art and Craft Easter show
 Highly Commended
 Commended
Australian Artist Art Prize Challenge Series. Challenge no.1 – Landscape
 Third Prize
Finalist in the Australian Artist Art Prize Challenge Series. Challenge no. 2 Still life and Floral
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First prize Still life
 Peoples choice
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Prize ( Portrait Section)
 First Prize Best Flower Painting
Bega Valley Regional Gallery. John Balmain National Portraiture Award
 First Prize
Bega Valley Art Awards
 Best Pastel

1999

The Chris Vardon Portraiture Prize
 First Prize
Montague Art and Craft Easter Show
 Second Prize (Pastel)
Herald Sun Camberwell Rotary Art Show 1999
 Expo Hire Prize, Best Pastel in Show
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 Second Prize (Portraiture)
 Highly Commended, Still Life
 Peoples Choice
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Prize Still Life Section)
 First Prize Portrait Section)
 First Prize Traditional Section)
 People’s Choice
Bega Valley Art Awards
 Best Pastel
 Finalist in the AME Bale Travelling Scholarship

1998

Inaugural Chris Vardon Portraiture Prize
 First Prize
Montague Art And Craft Easter Show
 First Prize, Any other Medium
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Prize (Portraiture)
Invitation Artist at the Bega Valley Regional Gallery
 ‘A Celebration of Pastel and Watercolour’
Shoalhaven Art Society 33rd Annual Art Exhibition
 The Holiday Haven Excellence in Art Award
 Highly Commended (Portrait Section)
Portia Geach Portraiture Award 1998
 Viewers choice

1997

Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition 1997
 First Prize, Best Still Life
 Highly Commended (Traditional)
 Commended (Still Life)
Shoalhaven Art Society 32nd Annual Art Exhibition
 The Inaugural John Proudfoot Memorial Award
 First Prize (Still Life)
 First Prize (Portrait)
Bega Valley Art Awards
 Best Drawing or Pastel
Portia Geach Portrait award
 Accepted for Hanging in 1997
Waverly Rotary Art Show
 Featured Artist

1996

Forest Gallery Solo Exhibition “A SHOW OF GRACE”
Portland 20th Art Exhibition
 Art Purchase Acquired by the City of Lismore Council
Montague Art and Craft Easter Show 1996
 Best Painting Overall
 Twice Highly Commended
Camberwell Rotary Art Show 1996
 Best Pastel under $700
 Commended
Waverly Art Show
 Twice Highly Commended
City of Liverpool 10th annual Art and Craft Exhibition
 Commended
Batemans Bay Art And Craft Society Clyde River Art Exhibition
 Best Painting Overall
 Best Pastel
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition 1996
 Best Still life
 Highly Commended
Shoalhaven Art Society 31st Annual Art Exhibition
 The Holiday Haven Excellence in Art Award
 Best Still Life

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1995

Cowra’s Festival of International Understanding. Arts Council Art Exhibition 1995
 Highly Commended
Montague Art and Craft Society Show
 First Prize, Best Pastel
 People’s Choice Award
Kiama Art Society Annual Exhibition 1995
 Best Still Life
 Highly Commended (Portrait)
 Commended (Traditional)
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition 1995
 First Prize (Still Life Section)
 First Prize (Portrait Section)
 First Prize (Traditional Section)
Neptune Festival Art Exhibition 1995
 Batemans Bay First Prize

1994

Rotary Club of Yea Annual Art Show 1994
 First Prize (acquisition) Best Exhibit
Camberwell Rotary Art Show 1994
 Rembrandt Pastel Prize. First Prize Best Pastel
 Highly Commended
Shoalhaven Art Society Annual Exhibition
 First Prize (Still life Section)
 Highly Commended (Portrait Section)
Toorak College Fine Art Exhibition
 Best Pastel
Kiama Art Society 16th Annual Exhibition 1994
 Best Still Life
 Twice Commended (Portrait and Traditional Sections)
 People’s Choice Award
Bega Valley Art Awards 1994
 Major Award (acquisitive)
 Best Pastel
Neptune Festival Art Exhibition 1994 Batemans Bay
 Second Prize
 Highly Commended

1993

Rotary Club of Yea Annual Art show
 First Prize (Acquisition) Best Exhibit
 Second Prize
Studio Roest Art Gallery at the old Post Office, Seymour, 1993
 First solo Exhibition. “GRACEFULLY YOURS”
Camberwell Rotary Art Show 1993
 Rembrandt Pastel Prize, First Prize Best Pastel
Brighton Art Exhibition 1993
 Brighton City Council, Acquisition Award
 Best Painting in Exhibition.
Parade College Annual Art Exhibition 1993
 Two Honourable Mentions
Pastel Society of Victoria Annual Exhibition 1993
 Micador Prize
 Ming B. Mackay Prize For the most popular pastel voted by Victorian Pastel Society members
Glen Waverly Rotary Art Show 1993
 Honourable Mention

1992

Rotary Club of Yea Annual Art Show 1992
 Highly Commended.
Herald Sun Outdoor Art Show 1992
 First Prize (Pastels)
Studio Roest Art Gallery at Kinglake, 1992 – Annual Autumn Exhibition “GRACE AND CHARM”
  Featured Artist.
Parade Art Exhibition 1992
 First prize (Best Exhibit)
 Highly Commended.
Echuca Art Group 38th Annual Exhibition 1992
 Highly Commended.

1991

Rotary Club of Yea Annual Art Show 1991
 Highly Commended.
Albury/Wodonga Artists Society 1991
 First Prize (Acquisition – local scene)
 Highly Commended (pastel)
Parade Art Exhibition 1991
 Two Highly Commended (Pastels)

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