Sally McLean

Fine artist Sally McLean has always been captivated by beauty. Working in acrylics and mixed media, she captures the essence of nature seascapes, portraits, and animals through bold colour, layered textures, and luminous detail.
"The beauty of the world around me gives me pleasure-from panoramic ocean views to pelicans gliding across the water, to the sparkle of raindrops on leaves like tiny crystals.
I have had an affinity with animals for as long as I can remember, and though l once dreamed of becoming a vet, I have instead married this love of animals with my passion for art through quality pet portraiture."
Originally known for her realistic pastel portraits, Sally has since embraced acrylics and mixed media, developing a distinctive style that often incorporates texture paste, stencils, gold leaf, and coloured foils. Strong, vibrant colours and tactile surfaces give her work both energy and emotional depth.
After Leaving school, Sally channelled her creativity into a career as an engineering draftsperson, taking art classes at the Brisbane Institute of Art in the early 1980s. Her lifelong passion for art eventually led her back to full-time painting, where she continues to refine her style and expand her practice.
Today, Sally is widely recognised for her animal portraiture, while also producing commissioned works of people, florals, and seascapes. Her paintings now hang in private collections throughout Australia.
"Life is for living. When people view my paintings, I want them to feel the same sense of joy and emotion that I felt when I first experienced the subject."*