
Ray Wilson
About Ray
Ray enjoys tonal realist oil painting, the study of light, in the tradition of early Australian artists, particularly those influenced by Max Meldrum. He paints all genres (Still Life, Portraiture and En Pleinair). He paints from life and aims to keep his work simple and ‘painterly’ conveying the image before him with as few brush strokes as needed. He began lessons at the Victorian Artists Society (VAS) in the late 1990s having tuition from Margaret Cowling (water colour), Max Wilks (oil) and Gregory Smith (oil - for 9 years at his school in Strathmore). Ray Hewitt (3 times VAS Artist of the Year) has been a long term mentor having taught Ray at the VAS for several years, as has Stephen Doyle (Twenty Melbourne). Ray has had many successful solo shows at the VAS galleries in East Melbourne, Moonee Ponds (Incinerator Gallery) and the SurfCoast (Art Space, Anglesea/Eaglesnest Gallery, Aireys Inlet). He is an accomplished portraiture artist and has participated in live painting events painting prominent Melbournians. His work appears in collections in Victoria, interstate and overseas.
Ray is a Fellow and Signatory Member of the VAS.
Awards & Accomplishments
● Winner, Best Contemporary, Mornington Art Show, 2025
● Winner, Best Oil/Acrylic, Sorrento Rotary Art Show, 2025
● “Best In Show”, Birregurra Art Show, 2024
● Winner, Best Oil, Knox Rotary Art Show, 2024
● Winner, Best Oil, Moonee Valley Art Show, 2024
● Winner, Best Oil, Mount View Art Exhibition, 2024
● Winner, SurfCoast Calendar Competition, 2024
● Second, Still Life, Royal Victorian Agricultural Show, 2024
● Winner, Best Oil, Birregurra Art Show, 2023
● Shortlisted for VAS Artist of the Year 2013-2023
● Shortlisted TACIT Still Life Prize 2021
● Winner, Best Oil, Anglesea Art Show 2021
● Winner, Best Local Artist, Moonee Valley, Art Show 2021
● Winner, Best Artwork under $1500, Camberwell Art Show 2019
● Winner, Best Oil, Knox Rotary Art Show, 2019
● Winner, Best Oil, Anglesea Art Show 2019
Ray’s Artworks
If you would like to enquire about purchasing an artwork, please contact The Brandon Circle here.
SHACK BAY, INVERLOCH Oil on linen, 60 x 50cm
NATIVES IN GLASS VASE Oil on linen, 60 x 50cm
WATEGOS BEACH, BYRON BAY Oil on linen 60 x 50cm
DANCING ONIONS REFLECTING Oil on linen 60 x 50cm
INLET DUNES Oil on canvas 75 x 60cm