Jeffrey Makin

Jeffrey (Jeff) Makin (1943 - ) is an Australian artist best known for his plein air paintings of the Australian landscape. He was born in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, where he was introduced to art and painting at an early age. Makin completed a Diploma in Painting at the National Art School in Sydney and later went on to complete a Masters by Research at Deakin University.

Throughout his career, Makin has been influenced by various techniques including traditional landscapes, Modernism, Impressionism, and Abstraction. He has traveled across Europe, the US, and the UK to expand his knowledge of various art forms. Notably, a residency at the Gloucestershire College of Art in Cheltenham, UK, allowed Makin to view a Georgio Morandi exhibition that left a lasting impression on his work.

Makin's motifs include seascapes, waterfalls, and pastoral vistas. Notable locations such as the You Yangs, the Grampians, and Wannon Falls have all been a source of inspiration for his paintings. In 2001, Makin took part in an expedition to Lake Eyre in South Australia along with other artists, resulting in a book, film documentary, and touring exhibition.

Aside from his painting career, Makin has held numerous professional appointments, including Senior and Principal Lectureships in Fine Art at Melbourne institutions such as RMIT, Phillip Institute of Technology, and Prahran College of Advanced Education. He has also written extensively as an art critic and has several books to his name, the latest being Critical Moments, published in 2011.

Makin has been the recipient of numerous art prizes throughout his career, including the Rockdale Prize, Drummoyne Prize, and Mirror-Waratah Prize. His works can be found in all national, state, and most regional and institutional collections in Australia. His works are in numerous private collections in Australia, the UK, and the USA.