My journey began when my grandfather gave me my first set of Derwent coloured pencils. Being very, very young I had no idea the quality I held in my hand but I certainly loved and treasured them.I studied Art at Highschool, but at that time it wasn't a career I was enouraged to follow.

Later I became a qualified Showcard and Ticketwriter and worked for various local businesses in the Wollongong area. I also taught this subject for a short time at the Wollongong, Dapto and Shellharbour campases of the Illawarra TAFE.

I then worked in a Juvenile Detention Centre for the next 17 years where I passed on basic skills in the art and craft room. I found these opportunities highly rewarding.

Thanks to a change of career, I again put pencil and paint to paper and canvas. I found valuable tuition through some amazingly talented art teachers in Sue Racconnnello, Kate Broadfoot and Lorrain Dick.

During 2010-2011, I completed Certificate IV in Contemporary Arts at the Townsville TAFE and again, I was fortunate to receive valuable knowledge, inspiration and new techniques from Barbara Cheshire.... thank you all.

Penelope McKay is a multi-award winning artist: 2006 - Nowra NSW Troy Pocock Meningoccal Foundation Art Competition - First Place and Peoples' Choice Award 2009 - Kiama NSW Kiama Show Art Competition (sponsor: Kiama Arts Society) - First Prize Sash Australian Wildlife 2010 - Townsville Q Townsville Show Open Section - First Place - Any Subject/Any Medium 2010 - Townsville Q Townsville Show - Champion Painting Sash As a result of her success in the 2010 Townsville Show, Penelope was invited to exhibit her works in Townsville's Gallery 6 Art Gallery. She continues to exhibit her work there to this day. If you wish to make a purchase or make a comment about any painting or photograph, each gallery thumbnail links to an enlargement which is activated by clicking on that thumbnail. For your convenience, each enlargement has an e-mail link which includes the details of that item. All prices are in Australian Dollars (AU$) and do not include postage/handling and/or postal insurance should you desire it. Arrangements can be made for pickup or delivery within the Shoalhaven and Illawarra regions of NSW, Australia. Other locations will require transport by Courier (at purchaser expense).