Thérèse Eichholzer Pitman (aka Thérèse Schmid), is a self-taught artist who deliberately developed art skills throughout her life, in her free time, whilst working as a full-time occupational therapist in various mental health and community settings, and whilst an academic. During those years Thérèse developed a strong interest in the possible connection between the practice of creative activities and the health value of creativity in everyday life.

Her interest was deepened by her involvement as a registered professional arts therapist, and in creative arts therapy practise and research. Thérèse published a book in 2005, Promoting health through creativity: For professionals in health, arts and education, and in 2016 completed a PhD on the topic, Creativity and Mental Well-Being in Older Australians. Thérèse was born in the Hunter Valley and has Irish convict and Alsatian Swiss heritage. She came to Albury in 2006.

Thérèse’s first solo exhibition will give you a glimpse not only into the artistic skills of a person who has dedicated her personal life to drawing and painting but also a glimpse into the distinct kind of expression that has evolved through her practice and beliefs about the connection between health and art. This exhibition will showcase highlights of drawings, prints, watercolours and paintings taken from, as early as 1975, through to the present.

Thérèse has experimented with many mediums, drawing, pen and ink, sumi-e brush work, watercolours, pastel, printmaking (etching, dry point, aquatint, collagraphy, chine collé) and acrylic and oil paints. Throughout many years Therese has been a member of local arts societies, and has completed many prints at the Creators Artspace at the Lincoln Causeway in Victoria. Therese has a studio at home which is open by appointment.

Thérèse is influenced artistically by the Old Masters artworks. Other artist influencers are Picasso, John Singer Sargent, Matisse and the German Expressionists, including the Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) group, Gabrielle Münter, and Daniel Butterworth.

The exhibition is organised into five groups, with group 1 commencing on your left as you walk in from the art supply shop and then subsequently group 2, 3, 4 and 5 will be grouped chronologically to your right until you are back at the door of the art shop. All works except one, are for sale