Melbourne artist, Regina Hona initially trained for three years in oils in the classical tonal realism method and later attended a number of workshops in various mediums that has allowed her to expand her knowledge and technique through experimentation. Regina predominately works in oils and soft pastels and specializes in painting the human form and water subjects. Portraiture and figurative works in particular elicit an emotional response that Regina sets about to capture by combining all the variables such as composition, lighting, backgrounds, edges and the quality of the paint. This gives each painting a uniqueness that not only the artist responds to and connects with, but she hopes also the viewer.
Regina regularly enters national competitions and accepts painting commissions. She is a member of the artist group Fusion6 that challenge themselves to paint unique and creative concepts. Their About Face exhibition toured to several regional galleries, and their current project, Detour – Portraits From A Hard Road, is a 3-year project based on the subject of homeless youth that was exhibited in Melbourne during November 2011.
Regina conducts overseas painting tours and frequent workshops and is a sought after tutor Australia wide.
Qualifications:
Fellow of The Australian Guild of Realist Artists’ (AGRA)
Assoc. Diploma in Private Secretarial Practice (CIT, Victoria; now Monash University)
Memberships:
The Australian Guild of Realist Artists’ Inc. – (AGRA)
The Pastel Society of Victoria, Australia – (PSVA)
Portrait Artists Australia – (PAA)
Publications:
Book – Detour, Portraits From A Hard Road, by Fusion6 – October 2011
Book – Best of Worldwide Charcoal, Pastel & Pencil Artists, Vol II.
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
Galleries:
Sorrento Fine Art Gallery – Sorrento, Victoria
Flinders Fine Art Gallery – Flinders, Victoria
Brialyn Boathouse Gallery – Frankston, Victoria
Original Oz Gallery – Mt Martha, Victoria
Exhibitions: (abridged)
2011 Detour – Portraits From A Hard Road by Fusion6, Gallery 15, Melbourne
2011 The A.M.E. Bale Art Prize
2011 ‘It’s All Greek to Me’ – MAS Gallery, Malvern
2010 The A.M.E. Bale Art Prize
Hidden Faces of the Archibald, Melbourne
The Friend’s Gallery – Malvern Victoria (consecutively 2000 to 2010)
2009 ANL Maritime Prize – Melbourne, Finalist
Guest Artist – St. Kevin’s College, Toorak Victoria
2008 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, Bega NSW, Finalist
The A.M.E. Bale Art Prize, Finalist
Medallion Exhibition – AGRA Galleries, Camberwell
Hidden Faces of the Archibald, Melbourne
2007 ANL Maritime Prize – Melbourne, Finalist
James Farrell Self-Portrait Exhibition – Finalist
About Face by Fusion6, Glen Eira City Gallery, Melbourne (toured until Jan 2010)
2006 Shirley Hannan National Portrait Prize, Beg NSW, Finalist
White Hill Gallery, Red Hill/Dromana
The A.M.E. Bale Travelling Scholarship – Finalist
2005 Solo – AGRA Galleries, Camberwell
ANL Maritime Prize – Melbourne, Finalist
2004 Solo – White Hill Gallery, Red Hill/Dromana
ANL Maritime Prize – Melbourne, Finalist
2002 Solo – Ecliptic Gallery, Armadale Victoria
2001 David Sumner Gallery – Adelaide, South Australia
Selected Awards:
2010 Winner – A.M.E. Bale Art Prize for Best Works on Paper (Portrait)
2009 Best in Show – AGRA, Summer Exhibition
Ming Mackay Award (Member’s Choice) Pastel Society of Victoria
Runner-up Best in Show – Pastel Society of Victoria (Portrait)
Herald Sun Rotary Art Exhibition – Highly Commended
2008 Best Figurative – Pastel Society of Victoria
2007 Terry Collins Medallion Award Winner – AGRA
Best in Show – AGRA, Spring Exhibition
2005 Best in Show – Pastel Society of Victoria
Ballast Stone Wine Award, Victor Harbor, South Australia
2004 Best Pastel – San Remo/Newhaven Lions Club, Victoria
Best Painting (Kevin A. Taylor Award) – Australian Art Excellence Awards
Best in Show – Pastel Society of Victoria (Portrait)
2003 Best Seascape – Pastel Society of Victoria
2002 Best in Show – MAS Autumn Exhibition
2000 Best Other Medium – Rotary Club of Dromana, Victoria