Born of Lithuanian migrant parents, Vilija grew up in the small towns which sprang up during the building of the Snowy Mountains Scheme, her father an engineer working on the scheme. Her mother, Ina, began painting when Vilija was in primary school and encouraged Vilija’s critical analysis of her art work; Ina continued to seek Vilija’s opinion for the next 40 years. Vilija began training as a teacher of Mathematics after finishing school. She is happiest when teaching both Maths and Art to high school students, using Esher, anamorphic geometry and tessellations to blend the two subjects. As an adult Vilija completed several evening art courses, including drawing, ceramics and black & white photography. After winning first prize at a regional photographic competition for a portrait titled ‘Močiutė and Theo’, Vilija’s interest in photography as a serious hobby was encouraged. She has been commissioned by friends to complete several photographic portfolios including weddings, family portraits and shop displays. Vilija has several creative hobbies besides photography. These include floristry, jewellery making (using her lapidary and silver-smithing skills) and ceramics. Vilija prefers to photograph in available light and is keen to catch ‘the moment’, usually recording her experiences at the time she was in a particular place. The development of digital photographic devices have made the pursuit of photography easier for the general population but Vilija believes the ‘square eye’ needed to structure an image remains an artistic gift and is grateful for her Lithuanian creative heritage.
