JUNE 2008
Nikyla was approached by the Brisbane Broncos in April and asked if she could assist by donating a sketch featuring one of the Broncos, she has chosen Shane Webcke as her subject as she had already had sittings with Shane.
The sketch will be auctioned off at the 2008 WOW Brisbane Broncos Banquet to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on the 4th July 2008. Monies raised will help fund the expansion of Rugby League in Queensland as well as providing support to the Broncos Charities Fund which has raised over $550,000 since its inception in providing encouragement, assistance and financial support for the underprivileged and disadvantaged youth of Queensland.
Please click on the image below to see the larger version
MAY 2008
Nikyla recently auctioned off a sketch from her current portrait featuring Wayne Bennett.
The framed sketch went under the hammer at a fundraising dinner "An Evening with Wayne Bennett' on the 10th May in Gympie.
The event raised much needed funds for Little Haven Palliative Care and the Gympie Regional Smarter Choices Program. Nikyla's sketch featuring Wayne sold for $1500.00
Please click on the image below to see the larger version
APRIL 2008
Press Release from the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation
COACH’S PICTURE UNLOCKING FUNDS FOR SICK KIDS
Rugby League coaching legend Wayne Bennett has attended his first sitting for a portrait at the Royal Children’s Hospital this week. The portrait will be auctioned at Suncorp Stadium during the last Broncos home game during Round 26 in September. Proceeds from the sale will help the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation to work wonders for sick kids.
The long-standing Brisbane Broncos coach, who has announced 2008 will be his last year at the club, has guided the Broncos to six premierships since he was appointed head coach in 1988.
“It’s a real thrill to sit for a portrait and to know that the sale of my portrait will make the difference in a child’s recovery,” Wayne said.
“I’m happy to give my time to such a worthy cause.”
The portrait is being painted by Gympie-based realism artist Nikyla Amanda Smith who has a passion for painting and for supporting sick kids at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Smith completed a portrait of Broncos captain and five-eighth Darren Lockyer last year which was auctioned for $20,000 - all of which was donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation for ground-breaking paediatric research.
Nikyla also painted a portrait of former Broncos prop Shane Webcke in 2006 which was auctioned for $10,000 to help work wonders for sick kids.
“The auction of Darren Lockyer’s portrait and Shane Webcke’s portrait raised such a lot of money - I was so proud to paint them both and to know that together we were able to help the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation make sick kids’ lives better,” Nikyla said.
Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Ms Karenlee Spillane, said: “We’re so grateful to Nikyla and Wayne for agreeing to donate their time and talent to this project. What a perfect way to immortalise one of the greatest coaches in rugby league history while helping us raise money to invest in vital research.”
OCTOBER 2007
Press Release from the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation
Talented painter plus five eight equals 20,000 ways of working wonders for sick kids
Talented portrait artist, Nikyla Smith and Rugby League five-eighth Darren Lockyer have come up with the winning equation for helping the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation work wonders for sick kids, after Locky’s portrait was sold this week to a generous Rugby League fan for a whopping $20,000.
The life-like painting of Darren has been auctioned on eBay over the past fortnight with Ken Cougan, from the Brisbane bayside suburb of Scarborough the lucky winning bidder.
“It’s a thrill to get my hands on this beautiful artwork of Darren Lockyer,” Ken said.
“I’m amazed at how realistic the portrait is, and it gives me a real thrill to know that my lucky bid will help the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation improve the lives of sick kids.”
Darren Lockyer was also impressed with the result and says that he was flattered to be the subject chosen for the portrait.
“Nikyla is a fantastic artist and I’m so thrilled that my image has helped raise so much money for sick kids,” Darren said.
The portrait was painted by Gympie-based realism artist Nikyla Amanda Smith who has a passion for painting and for supporting sick kids at the Royal Children’s Hospital. Smith completed a portrait of Broncos prop Shane Webcke last year which was auctioned for $10,000 – all of which was donated to the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation for ground-breaking pediatric research.
“I’m amazed that Locky’s portrait has raised $20,000 – it’s so satisfying to know that putting paint on canvas can help improve the lives of the patients at Royal Children’s Hospital,” Nikyla said.
“Locky was a fantastic subject and I’m sure he’s secretly pleased to know that his portrait has raised $10,000 more than Shane Webcke’s portrait.”
“We realise there are many Locky fans out there who are not in a position to bid for the portrait, so we’ve decided to sell 100 framed and signed prints available for purchase from the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation’s website from October 23.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Ms Karenlee Spillane, said: “We’re thrilled with the outcome of the auction of Locky’s portrait, and so grateful to Nikyla and Locky for donating their time and talent, and to Ken for making such a remarkable bid to own the artwork. “
“Ken’s amazing contribution will not only improve his sporting memorabilia collection, but will help to improve the lives of the 100,000 sick kids whose lives are touched by the Royal Children’s Hospital every year.”
The framed and signed prints of the Darren Lockyer portrait, priced at $495, will be available for sale from the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation website, workingwonders.com.au from October 23.
"Photo Supplied Courtesy Michael Marston ePixel Images".
www.epixelimages.com.au
Mb: 0417 894 891
SEPTEMBER 2007
Nikyla's portrait of Darren Lockyer has now gone on public display and can be seen at the following locations:
Landsborough Galleries - 27 Caloundra Rd, Landsborough (29th & 30th September)
Brisbane Hilton - 190 Elizabeth St, Brisbane (2nd October to the 12th October)
Brisbane Broncos Leagues Club - Fulcher Rd, Red Hill Brisbane
(13th October to the 18th October)
The EBAY auction starts on the 8th Oct and runs till the 18th Oct. To bid on the painting please go to the EBAY website and type in Darren Lockyer Portrait.
100 framed and signed limited prints of the Darren Lockyer portrait, priced at $495, will be available for sale from the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation website, www.workingwonders.com.au from October 23.
Photo - Darren's portrait on display at Landsborough Galleries.
Nikyla unveils Darren's portrait with the help of Cooloola Shire Mayor Mick Vernardos at Gympie Custom Framing on Thursday the 27th October.
(Photo courtesy of David Crossley Studios - 0412 585382)
Nikyla had her last sitting with Darren Lockyer in Brisbane on the 18th September at the Broncos Leagues Club. The painting is coming along great and all eyes will be on EBAY next month.
Darren Lockyer signs his autograph for Mathew Douglas at the portrait media launch in Brisbane. Mathew is a huge fan of the Broncos and took time out from the Royal Children's hospital to meet his favourite player.
JULY 2007
Nikyla's Spitfire painting is now completed and online. Commissioned in 2006 by the aircraft owner this painting is the combination of hundreds hours of research and work by Nikyla. Prints of this famous aircraft (Spitfire BL-628) will be available shortly, please click on the photo to see the painting.
APRIL 2007
Nikyla has started her 2007 fundraising portrait for the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation in Queensland. Her subject is Broncos Captain Darren Lockyer, more news in the coming months.
Nikyla has also finished the first of three painting commissioned by Qantas to celebrate the return of their first Boeing 707 VH-EBA. The painting depicts the 707 over Sydney Harbour on its delivery flight into Australia in July 1959.
To view this painting click here
JANUARY 2007
Nikyla's joint exhibition with fellow aviation artist John Beasley at the Melbourne Airport Hilton was opened by Mr. Will Richards (Grandson of Sir. Reginald Ansett) on the 18th January 2007. Nikyla was honored to be exhibiting with John Beasley from Melbourne, John is a lovely person and a brilliant artist.
The evening was a resounding success with over 80 people turning up for the exhibition opening. Below are some photos from the event. Thanks to Dush Velcek and the Melbourne Airport Hilton for hosting such a wonderful joint exhibition, thanks also to Will Richards for giving up his time and opening the exhibition and to Will Lanting for his assistance.
John Beasley, Will Richards & Nikyla Amanda Smith
Opening night at the Melbourne Airport Hilton
Guest speaker Will Richards opens the exhibition
DECEMBER 2006
Nikyla is busy preparing for her exhibition at the Melbourne Airport Hilton which opens on the 18th January 2007. If you are in Melbourne and would like to attend the opening night please contact Dush Velcek on 03-83362000 to arrange an invitation.
The joint exhibition which also features work from fellow Aviation Artist John Beasley will be opened by Mr. Will Richards from Ansett Aviation.
NOVEMBER 2006
Nikyla has started her portrait of Professor Ian Frazer (2006 Australian of the Year) recently in Brisbane. Professor Frazer is best known world wide for discovering a cure for cervical cancer which kills 250,000 women around the world every year. The portrait which will have a very relaxed feel to it when finished, will be unveiled in 2007. In keeping with Nikyla's fundraising passion Nikyla will also donate 50% from the sale of this portrait to cancer research.
OCTOBER 2006
Nikyla is busy with commissions and is also preparing for her second exhibition at the Melbourne Airport Hilton starting 18th January 2007.
JUNE 2006
Nikyla is presently working on a number of commissions, two of which are shown below:
The Spitfire painting (left) is Nikyla's first commission of a Spitfire. This draft painting, which is painted on paper, is in the final stages of completion and in the next couple of weeks Nikyla will begin working on the main painting which will be on pure linen. This has been by far the most challenging work Nikyla has ever attempted and she is looking forward to bringing this famous aircraft to life in oils.
The second image shown below is a painting of the 'Flying Flea' set in 1937. The painting depicts retired Qantas Airway's pilot Howard Morris at two and a half years of age spinning the prop, with his brother Eric sitting in the pilots seat. The aircraft is a replica of the flying flea and was built by the boy's father Howard Morris (Snr) in the 1930's.
Please click on the photos for more information about these painting in progress.
