BARBARA GABOGRECAN

ARTIST, AUTHOR & PRESENTER

ARTIST

During my 21 years of teaching art and craft in secondary colleges in Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria, there was always a hot discussion on what constituted art and what was craft. Was painting fine art? Was craft really art?

I made the distinction thus: art is when you generate an image, idea, concept or design using your creative skills; and craft is the medium that you choose to express your creative design with. Craft includes painting in various mediums, sculpture, ceramics, fabric, photography etc.

 My creativeness tends towards being decorative and thus suits the craft of painting on fabric very well. My strength lies in my drawing, design and painting ability. I was fortunate in my early training to have John Coburn (designer of the Opera House Curtains and well known artist) as one of my teachers, and I am sure his strong sense of design and bold colour influenced me.

My painting expresses the subject matter (usually Australian Fauna and Flora) with exotic, vibrant colour. However, I also paint dogs (another of my hobbies as I am also a breed judge). I love the dye on silk technique as I feel it best displays both the strong colour or the subtle variation of tone, that I immerse myself in.

AUTHOR
 When I was very successful in my Art business, I decided to share my knowledge to help others to achieve similar success. I began writing down all my business hints and tips and wrote the best selling book 'How To Run A Business From Your Kitchen Table' (now in its second edition). Then I began presenting and speaking for other Associations, Councils etc and regularly write articles  and  e-books that are distributed worldwide. Recently I Googled my name and found over 6,000 listings. Never underestimate the power of the written word to establish yourself as an expert in your field. I can mentor you to achieve the success I have been fortunate enough to experience - just email  and ask!

PRESENTER
I seem to have spent most of my life speaking in public
(photo left - speaking in Tokyo with two translators).
Whether I am addressing a Networking group; speaking at a Conference; being an MC; running a workshop or teaching students - I have got used to bringing my message to a group in a variety of formats. Naturally, I am delighted when others tell me how much they have enjoyed what I have said; when they say I have motivated them; when they change their business or lifestyle because of what I have shared with them - it is indeed a very fulfilling role.

To see just what I have achieved, please click on any of the links below.

Artist
Author
Presenter
Community Leader
Educator
Entrepreneur
Family
Business Stats
Government