*New work - ‘POPPY MUSE: Phoebe - 76 x 76cm, impasto acrylic on canvas.*

Welcome to my Spring Studio News!

"As we turn our clocks forward and the days get longer and brighter, so does your creative spark—let’s dive into Spring and create together!"

Affordable Art Fair Melbourne

Fellow Bluethumb exhibitor Jen Shewring described it as “the most beautiful exhibition she had ever seen”, and I can't wait to share more about my adventure below.

New Work

Since writing to you in Winter, I’ve been immersed in two exciting new series: Poppy Muse and Teacups. The latter collection inspired my SOLD OUT Pattern on Pattern workshop at Green Door Studios in August.

Award Nominations this year

FINALIST - Inside the Box Art Prize at Corner Store Gallery, Orange
FINALIST - Next Big Thing Art Prize at The Toowoomba Gallery
FINALIST - Unveiled: Artist of the Year at Aspire Gallery, Brisbane
FINALIST - GreenWay Art Prize as part of the Power Up Festival for Inner West Council

Award Wins this year

WINNER - Time Out Cultural Awards - Best Exhibition for ‘1001 Remarkable Objects’ - Powerhouse Museum with Pip Runciman and Ross Wallace (co-designers)
WINNER - Australian Production Design Awards - Best Set Design for 1001 Remarkable Objects’ - Powerhouse Museum with Pip Runciman and Ross Wallace (co-designers)
It’s been a rewarding year, and I’m super pleased with how each month has unfolded!

New Work

My Teacup Series is a love letter to vintage charm, a passion I’ve carried since my aunt playfully noted in my teenage years that “Julie likes old things.” I must have shown a flair for the vintage, antique, and exotic from a young age. Now that I’ve become one of those ‘old things’ myself, I’d much prefer to be described as vintage, antique, or even exotic! Through this series, I aim to celebrate how ‘old things’ are anything but senior—they’re vibrant, full of life, and remind us of the exquisite craftsmanship of the past.

The first piece, Zeigfeld, has already sold—aptly named to evoke the grandeur and creativity of the early 20th century. The remaining five: Elsa, Magdalena, Fontaine, Isadora, and Garbo, borrow their names from extraordinary figures of the 1920s and 30s. Each painting embraces a graphic, pattern-on-pattern aesthetic that I adore, I hope these pieces inspire you as much as they do me! Take a peek at them here.

*New work - ‘POPPY MUSE: Penelope - 76 x 76cm, impasto acrylic on canvas*

After a winter spent immersed in fine detail, I decided it was time to break out the big brushes, embrace bold colours, and dive into impasto painting with my Poppy Muse series—six striking abstract poppy paintings that celebrate one of my all-time favourite joyful flowers. I had the best time playing with shape, line, colour, texture, and the balance between positive and negative space, capturing the vibrant essence of poppies through stylised abstraction.

These pieces are infused with energy, blending vivid hues and dynamic forms to evoke a sense of joy and admiration for the timeless elegance of poppies. They make a bold statement on their own, but when hung in duos or trios, they truly come alive, transforming any space into a celebration of colour and vitality. View the full series here.

Affordable Art Fair Melbourne

*Arriving with all my paintings at Bluethumb Gallery and Head Office in Richmond Victoria*

Got to love a road trip…

The Affordable Art Fair in Melbourne made for the perfect excuse for a Sydney to Melbourne road trip, with plenty of my favorite coffee and lunch stops along the way. The journey began at The General Store in Berrima, a cozy haven for homemade treats, followed by a stop at the historic Sir George in Jugiong, where chic country charm and farm-to-table dining set the mood. In Albury, the retro-styled Astor Hotel provided the ideal last stop on day one. The next morning kicked off with nostalgic pastries at Chiltern Bakery, while Ned’s Bake in Armadale offered artisanal breads that were simply irresistible. The day closed at The Ox & Hound in Beechworth, a delightful blend of rustic comfort and gourmet fare.

On the return leg, I couldn’t resist a stop at Holbrook Café, next to the fabulously eclectic Satch & Co. Gallery, where I was lucky enough to catch Kirsty McKyntire’s stunning Australian bird paintings. Lunch in Yass at Café Clementine followed by a visit to the beautifully curated Tyger Gallery made for an inspiring final day. To round off the trip, I revisited Berrima for a guided tour of the historic Harper’s Mansion.

Every 300 kilometres deserved a reward—whether a flaky pastry to start or a crisp Negroni at the end, for me a road trip is made even more amazing by the food discoveries along the way! Arriving at Bluethumb, I was warmly welcomed by Amy and Ed (one of the CEOs) personally helping carry in my paintings and were so supportive in everything they did for me. Fellow exhibiting artist Jen Shewring described it as "one of the most beautiful exhibitions" she had ever seen. I couldn’t agree more—I’m proud to be one of the 15 artists selected, and the remaining works from the Fair are now on exhibition at Bluethumb’s Richmond Gallery for Spring.

Join me in Summer @greendoorstudios

*Bubbles: one of four take home ‘Budgie Beauties’ works we’ll be creating together on Sunday 8 December*

A few spots available for my Budgie Beauties: Acrylic Painting Workshop

Although my Spring Flowers Impasto Painting Workshop has SOLD OUT, I’m pleased to be able to offer spots in my Budgie Beauties: Acrylic Painting Workshop this summer on Sunday 8 December at Green Door Studios, where we will be embracing colour mixing and layering acrylic paint to create depth and detail.

I love hosting these workshops, and there’s no place quite like Green Door. Our wonderful host, Zoe Waters, treats us to her delicious home-cooked meals, and in the peak of summer, we’ll be painting in her cool studio full of colour, texture and inspiration, surrounded by her stunning garden views.

In this workshop, we’ll explore the fun, vibrant world of budgie-inspired art. You’ll master colour mixing, brush techniques, and learn how to bring these lively little birds to life on canvas. Choose from four playful designs, connect with other creatives, and leave with your own summer-inspired budgie masterpiece.

What better way to spend a summer’s day than with art, laughter, and creativity? We still have a few spots left—secure yours today!

Collaboration with Phillip Bay Trading - ‘Botanical Blues’ & ‘Budgies’ coaster sets

*Botanical Blues coaster sets will be in all Habitiana Homewares stores across Australia for Christmas*

I’'m feeling pretty lucky to keep collaborating with Phillip Bay Trading on my coaster and trivet sets. It’s always a thrill to stumble upon my own artwork in stores dotted around Australia. Of course, I can’t help myself—I’ll turn to the storeowner with a big grin and say, “I did that! That’s my artwork!” Cue the guaranteed compliments! Yep, so needy, ha ha! Anyway, if you’d like any of my new Botanical Blues or my Budgie Beauties sets or singles, please send me an expression of interest here, so I can order some in for you, in time for Christmas! If your shopping in a Habitiana Homewares Store over Christmas, please keep your eye out for my Botanical Blues Collection which will be held in all 12 stores across Australia.

Budgie coaster sets in store now

SAVE THE DATE for the SHAC’s Works on Paper Prize and Exhibition

*Detail of one of my sheep illustrations that I am creating to enter the SHAC’s Works on Paper Prize*

@theshac - 9 - 21 January 2025

Shifting to paper has been a refreshing and well-received change, and I owe a huge thanks to SHAC for sparking this shift in materials. Working on paper has been on my artistic bucket list for ages, but somehow, canvas and gooey paint have always taken centre stage.

For my sheep illustrations, I'm diving into pencil and oil pastels, experimenting for the first time with the charcoal-coloured Clairefontaine Pastelmat Paper. This 360gsm paper, at a generous size of 50 x 70 cm, offers a delightful texture, and the range of fourteen gorgeous hues opens up so many possibilities. I've found the slow, meditative building-up of tone to be so calming—and the best part - no messy clean-up!

Deadline for Entries is 2 November, finalists announced end of November, Opens @ the SHAC Gallery Robertson on 9 January 2025. Judged by Goulburn Regional Art Gallery’s Director Yvette Dal Pozzo.

Wish me luck!

Thanks for following along—hope to see you at Works on Paper Exhibition & the SHAC!