Artist profile
Shay
Pappas
Shay is an oil painter from the Macedon Ranges whose work celebrates nature through layered colour and textured expression.
Shay paints from her studio in the beautiful Macedon Ranges, where gum trees, foggy mornings and big skies constantly nudge her creativity awake. Since picking up oils in 2022, she’s been obsessed with turning the natural world into textured stories.
Blending modern Impressionist vibes with a love of bold, industrial texture, her work is full of colour, movement and little moments of magic. Always curious, always learning, Shay happily follows her creative instincts wherever they lead, usually somewhere unexpected, uplifting, and delightfully her own.
Career Highlights
- 2025 Affordable Art Fair Brisbane, Melbourne & Sydney
- 2025 Winner Best Oil Trentham Art Show
- 2024 Finalist Harden Art Prize
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I work in oils because they hold both emotional meaning and creative freedom for me. They were the first medium I learned from my grandfather, and today their expressiveness, slow drying nature, and ability to hold layered textures especially over modelling paste allow me to create the depth and atmosphere I am looking for in my paintings.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
My process begins with photos I take while exploring the local countryside, little moments of light or mood that catch my eye. From there, I experiment with colour ideas and start building the painting in layers, letting each one dry just enough so I can keep shaping and refining the textures. Sometimes I add modelling paste to the board first, then underpaint with vibrant colours before layering more texture and tone over the top. I also create all my own painting boards and frames in my studio, which gives me complete control over size, shape, and the final feel. I love that everything is made by me from start to finish.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
My studio is at my home in Lancefield, on the outer edge of the Macedon Ranges, and it’s a bright, happy space full of creativity and music. There’s natural light, painting boards in progress, jars of brushes and tools of all kinds. I also have a studio gallery on-site, where finished works get to shine before they go off into the world. It’s a space I love being in, fun, creative, and completely my own.
