Meredith Howse is an accomplished Australian artist celebrated for her captivating landscape paintings that evoke emotion and atmosphere. With an eye for detail and a deep connection to nature, her works invite viewers into immersive worldsβwhere cool depths, storm-charged skies, golden sunlight, and the salty scent of ocean air are expressed through brushwork. In addition to her landscapes, Howse explores abstraction with equal finesse, using colours and textures that reflect the rhythms and patterns of the natural world.
Originally born in the Northern Territory, Meredithβs childhood was spent in regional New South Wales, where the vast skies and open spaces left a lasting impression on her artistic spirit. Educated at the University of Technology Sydney, her creative path was enriched by travels through Europe, North America, and Asia before she eventually settled in Queenslandβdrawn by its serene beauty and vibrant light.
Her distinctive approach, which she coined as Australian Freestyle in 2018, is characterised by loose, expressive brushstrokes, dynamic energy, and an emotive use of colour. This style bridges realism, impressionism, and abstraction, resulting in artworks that are both contemporary and deeply rooted in the landscape tradition.
One of Meredithβs most significant projects took place in 2016, when she followed the path of the Brisbane River from its origin at Mt Stanley to its meeting point with Moreton Bay. This journey led to an acclaimed exhibition of 30 paintings that captured the ever-changing moods and moments along the riverβs course.
In 2018, Meredith presented a solo exhibition titled Sublime Landscapes at the Lockyer Valley Regional Gallery, showcasing 90 artworks inspired by the natural worldβs quiet grandeur. The following year, she introduced a vibrant new direction with a series of opal-inspired worksβan homage to her childhood fascination with these luminous Australian gems.
The landscape of Southwest Queensland became the focus of Meredithβs Colours of Texas series in 2020. These abstract pieces, rendered in earthy tones, beautifully conveyed the rugged elegance of the region. Two works from this series were featured on the popular television program The Block in 2021, gaining national attention.
Her Illumination Series soon followedβan exploration of trees illuminated by dramatic lightning storms. These works, rich in light and emotion, captivated audiences and included a piece showcased on Dream Homes, further cementing her reputation for evoking wonder through paint.
Meredithβs artistry has continued to earn recognition across Australia. In 2022 and 2023, she was a finalist in both The Clayton Utz and The Doyles art prizes, and she won first prize for Seascape at the Royal Queensland Show. She is also a featured Established Seller on Bluethumb, where she ranked among the top 30 best sellers in 2020, and was a finalist in the Art Lovers Australia Art Prize 2021/22.
In addition to her own practice, Meredith played a key role in nurturing the local art community as co-creator and curator of The Tower Art Show at Marist College, Ashgrove. From 2016 to 2021, she provided a platform for both emerging and established artists to share their work with the Brisbane public.
With over 100 group exhibitions to her name, Meredith Howse remains a passionate advocate for the artsβcontinually inspiring others through her vision, dedication, and the enduring beauty of her work.
