About Us

Welcome to paintbox, a boutique fine art studio in Karratha, built on the foundation of authentic studio practice.

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My name is Katherine Tawse, a practising artist, educator, and founder of paintbox. I've lived here in beautiful Karratha with my husband and our two children since 2007. While I am deeply proud of building a thriving creative studio, I am first and always an artist; and it is this artistic discipline that shapes everything we offer at paintbox.

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I have been immersed in art since childhood, working across watercolour, gouache, charcoal, acrylic, graphite pencil, and ink. My current practice centres on portraiture, botanicals, Pilbara-inspired landscapes and expressive mixed media. I am mostly self-taught, later refining my techniques through private mentorship with a Dutch watercolour artist after graduating with a Bachelor of Communication Arts, Creative Writing Major. My work has been exhibited in the Cossack Art Awards and most recently, at The Red Earth Arts Precinct in the Radial 1.0: Stepping Into View Group Exhibition 2025. I also had my first min-art exhibition, Sketchbook Artist, at the 2025 Red Earth Arts Festival. I have received Highly Commended awards in Portraiture at both the 2024 and 2025 Dampier Art Awards. My artist portfolio can be viewed at www.katherinerose.art

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Where Studio and Teaching Meet

At paintbox, teaching is not separate from art. It comes from art.

Every drawing, painting and mixed-media program is grounded in the methods, principles and discipline of professional studio practice. We teach not just the joy of creating, but the precision that comes from accurate technique, observational skill, visual literacy and artistic intention.

Whether it is a seven-year-old learning to sketch with care, a teen pursuing depth and voice, or an adult returning to fine art with intent, our programs are designed to build skill before style, foundation before flourish.

Here, creativity isn’t rushed or diluted. It is cultivated — intentionally, accurately, and with integrity.

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Our Beginning

paintbox began in 2022, in the living room of my home, just a couple of tables, a sketchbook, several sheets of paper, some paints, and a few children eager to learn. Within a year, we had grown into a dedicated studio in Bulgarra, welcoming artists of all ages for structured, skills-based learning rooted in true art practice.

What started as a dream to teach has become a creative community. A studio where young artists find belonging, mastery and confidence, and adults rediscover the discipline and joy of making art with purpose.

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Music at paintbox

Under the guidance of my husband, artist and musician, Donovan Tawse, we also offer foundational music programs in guitar and drums.

As self-taught musicians with more than fifteen years of local and international performing experience, we focus on mentorship-based learning, real techniques, real musicianship, and the practical skills that come from lived experience.

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What We Offer

Specialist drawing, painting and mixed-media programs

Children’s and teen studio art classes focused on skill-building, not just activity

Adult fine art and mixed-media programs

Music lessons (guitar & soon, drums) delivered through mentorship and practice

Private, corporate and custom creative workshops

Art commissioning

Live music performance

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Whether you are beginning, advancing, or returning to fine art, paintbox is a studio where creativity is taught with skill, guided with intention, and nurtured with authenticity.