Victory in watercolour is often a tantalising brushstroke away… Looking back into history at the Masters’ successes inspires me, encourages me, to be triumphant as well! With sensitive, economical and finely tuned brushstrokes, B.E. Minns created glorious watercolour paintings that are as stunning today as they were 100 years ago.

Brushstrokes of a Master Watercolorist
Brushstrokes are nearly like fingerprints I’ve discovered. No two people ever use the brush or palette knife quite the same. We all have slight variations in our art language, dialect, tone, inflection and mood. Same as we do in our voices. And just like with our voices, it is how we express that hidden artist within.
B.E. Minns developed his voice, his brushstrokes, over decades of constant use. Let me tell you his story. Or rather, shall I say, I’ll share snippets of the B. E. Minns story of watercolour triumph.

History of BE Minns
Benjamin Edwin Minns was born in Dungog, Hunter Valley, New South Wales, Australia in 1863 to 17 year old Irish born Bridget Murray. Bridget later married George Minns, a farmer in the Hunter Valley in 1869.
In due time, Benjamin was sent off to Sydney to study law. And as it happens, of course he met ‘an artist.’ The now well known, Charles Conder.
The pathway of law went by the wayside and Art became his passion, studying with other well known artists of the day including Julian Ashton.
He married, then traveled over to England in 1895 pursuing his art career successfully. 1915 they returned by ship, but the perils of travel by ship had disaster nipping at his heels.
Fire broke out on board and destroyed all of B. E. Minns paintings. This is a devastating blow for an artist, one that could conceivably break one’s spirit.
But, no. Minns rallied and painted more. He settled in Gordon, a lovely bush enclave in the northern suburbs of Sydney. I’ve frequently gone painting outdoors in the parks and bushland there and it truly is a tranquil bit of heaven.
Minns had a love of painting and sketching outdoors, that is beautifully evident in his paintings. He often went to Taronga Zoo to sketch the harbour and surrounds from there. Perhaps, growing up in the beautiful Hunter Valley countryside, was what nurtured this lasting love of the land.
Minns, a brilliant and sensitive master of watercolour, was indeed criticised for his soft edges in his paintings.
Referred to as ‘being lax on his edges’.….. odd, because for me when I first saw his paintings at AGNSW – it was those gorgeous Soft Edges that drew me in like a magnet!
Even so critiqued, Minns went on to be a founder of the prestigious Australian Watercolour Institute and became its first President.
Minns started off life headed in one direction. Destiny had a different plan and kept changing and altering until he was firmly entrenched in his calling. Apparently it was not as a farmer nor a lawyer!

What might hold me back from mindful, sensitive, economical, listening Brushstrokes?
(or, what keeps me from creating triumphant brushstrokes)
- peer pressure
- what is trendy at the moment
- decades of ingrained conditioning of what art is supposed to look like
- the compulsion to replicate
- fear of expressing my authentic hidden artist
Solutions: What I can do about it!
- ask myself: WHAT Is The Purpose of my creating? WHY am I really painting?
2. trends are nothing more than a flash in the pan, do what will stand the test of time
3. ask myself: Are those rules, Are those Authorities ALWAYS 100% right, all the time, for everyone?!!
4. ask myself: WHY do I want/need to replicate? Should I not use my Camera for that purpose?
5. ask myself: WHAT is there to really Fear? What is the worst that can happen? And, honour and respect, and love that hidden artist ….. it is a better artist than the critical, fearful one.
If you happen to be in Sydney, do visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales and ask to see any of B.E. Minns paintings they have available. In person, close up they are magnificent.
I love his Female Aboriginal 1895. I find it timeless, brilliant and poignant. Minns has perfectly portrayed the woman with exquisite sensitivity and depth. And as she looks so intently into what the future holds – the raw emotion Minns conveys, fills my heart.
Looking closely at Minns’ paintings you can see –
soft edges. drips. runs. simplicity. balance. wabi sabi. tones. evocative. heart. feeling.
All the attributes I wish for in my own work. Yes, the Triumphant Brushstrokes of a Master.
B.E. Minns is an inspiration and a great encourager of all artists, to be triumphant in our brushstrokes!
Go for it! You’re right these are amazing.
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Nicodemas, thank you, I’m pleased you are enjoying BE MINNS! cheers, Debi
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Thank you for introducing us to BE Minns. I will do some research on my own as well. I’m sure seeing his work in person must be thrilling. Thanks Debi.
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you are so welcome Sharon, I’ve loved his work for years. Its fun to share! cheers, Debi
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thank you for sharing BE’s amazing work, and for YOUR amazing words of wisdom in the craft that you so excel at! Much appreciated Deb!
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Jodi, muy gracias! 🙂
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Really interesting and insightful words of advice. Bucking the trends and resisting the temptation to tone things down so it will sit better with friends I find are surprisingly difficult things to do. “Female Aboriginal” is beautiful – just the right brush strokes, not too many not too few, love the light on the face. All in all a really useful post – thank you!
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thank you for your thoughtful comment! glad you enjoyed Minns’ art and story. to cave or stay strong…. remains an ongoing battle I think. Most of the time, my artist wins. lol cheers, Debi
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Thank you for this! Great watercolorist and all artists should read the list.
Janice
>
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Janice, your comment is appreciated! The list of 5, is a great reminder for me as well at times, when I’m tempted to cave. lol
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…another great Australian watercolourist–thank you for these images Deb
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hi Lance, thank you! Glad that you enjoyed Minns’ story and his art; cheers!! Debi
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a real master of water color
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thank you Mitza, I thoroughly love his approach and the story of his life! thank you for your comment, and your ‘like’ 🙂
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An incredible artist – loved seeing his work. The portrait is amazing.
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thank you Mary, glad you enjoyed it; it has not been to everyone’s taste, but art is like that!
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thank you Mary!
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Words of wisdom for continual reference and assimilation. Thanks Deb.
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thank you Elaine, I’ve been wanting to share a little of Minns story for a while; glad you enjoyed it 🙂
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Thanks so much for introducing me to BE Minns. I love the work and your exhortation to be inspired by him and be “triumphant in our brushstrokes” is a great finish to the post.
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Thank you for your kind and accurate words. Working with watercolours is by far the most demanding of all the disciplines. He was a remarkable man. You don’t mention his relationship with the Rhodes family
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It was certainly my pleasure, to share this small snippet with others.
I Adore his work, his fresh approach! And, by your last name Michael, I do gather that you could be…related? If so, how lovely indeed.
I did not share a thorough biography in my post, covering the Rhodes connection, mainly as I try to keep articles at a set limit of words. Sadly, the longer the article, the less its read!
But, I could always do a sequel, if I had more to share.
Michael, Thank you very much for your comments and thoughts. I really appreciate this. Cheers, Debi
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