JULY STUDIO NEWS
At the window of Monet’s house overlooking his extraordinary garden in Giverny
Welcome to my July Studio News
After a family trip of a lifetime across France—woven with long village lunches, lavender fields, brocante treasures, and countless painterly scenes—it’s time to return to my Marrickville atelier, where a different kind of magic is beginning to take shape.
Back in the studio, the scent of eucalyptus has replaced the buttery aroma of croissants, and I find myself diving into paint and paper again, preparing for my October exhibition at the SHAC in Robertson. This time, I’m thrilled to be teaming up with ceramicist Justine Wellman for our two-person show, Surface Stories.
Justine’s ceramic work is beautifully grounded yet richly expressive. She draws inspiration from the natural world—textures of bark, lichen, rock, and landscape—and transforms them into tactile vessels and sculptural forms that speak of memory, place, and presence. Her glazes carry a quiet depth, as if the earth itself had whispered their palette. Each piece holds its own surface story—layers of clay, fire, and intention—making her work the perfect companion to my painted world of playful birds nestled among Australian native flora.
Where my birds hover between whimsy and stillness, her vessels bring weight and grounded elegance. Together, our works speak to the stories etched onto the surfaces of things—clay, canvas, feather, and leaf.
There’s a shared language forming between our materials: one of movement, colour, texture and joy. I can’t wait to show you what we’ve been making.
All VIPs will receive an invitation to Surface Stories opening at 4pm on Saturday 11 October, you can become a VIP by joining here
Story Bowls by Justine Wellman, Details of my Cockatoo and Lemons and Gang-gang Cockatoo and Waratah, oil on linen paintings will form part of Surface Stories
Pale-headed Rosellas and Cornflowers, oil on canvas 63 x 63cm, TNBT Finalist - available now
Good News From the Road…
While travelling, I received a lovely surprise—I was selected as a finalist in The Next Big Thing Art Prize at The Toowoomba Gallery. It’s my second year in a row to be recognised by this national prize, and I’m honestly so stoked to be among such exciting Australian talent once again.
The Next Big Thing Art Prize has built a strong reputation for spotlighting emerging and mid-career artists who are pushing boundaries and finding fresh ways to tell visual stories. The 2025 exhibition opens 25 July in Toowoomba, QLD, and also runs as a comprehensive online show, meaning you can view all the finalist works—and even purchase them—wherever you are in Australia.
The piece I submitted is close to my heart, continuing my ongoing exploration of the intimate moments found in nature and the beauty of everyday life. I’ll share more about this prize on Instagram and in next month’s newsletter, but for now I’m just honoured to be part of the shortlist.
If you're in or near Toowoomba, do pop in to see the show—it's a great chance to see a powerful cross-section of what’s happening in contemporary Australian art right now. Take a peep here!
Wearable Art: Final Pieces from My Native Flora Range
As I prepare for Surface Stories, I’ll also be turning my attention to creating a fresh new collection of bags and scarves, inspired by some of my most beloved paintings for the exhibition. These pieces are more than accessories—they’re wearable stories, hand-designed to celebrate the textures and tones of Australian flora in soft wool, luxurious fabrics, and eye-catching prints.
That means the current collection of native flora bags and scarves will be the last of its kind for a little while. If you’ve been thinking about purchasing one—now’s the time to jump in. I’ve had so many lovely responses to the pieces already, and with only a small amount of stock left, they won’t be around much longer.
Each Momoyama bag is made to be both stylish and functional, pairing painterly prints with elegant bamboo handles. The scarves, created in collaboration with RAFFAL, are crafted from fine Australian Merino wool—lightweight, large, and soft enough to wear year-round.
And just a little thank you: any purchase over $150, whether it’s a print, painting, or gift item, will automatically receive 10% off. Consider it a warm winter hug from me to you.
Avant de partir…
If you missed my weekly carnet de voyage from France, shared in my June newsletter, now’s the perfect moment to catch up. Pour yourself a chocolat chaud, warm a croissant (or simply daydream of a flaky one from a village boulangerie), and slip into the rhythm of French days—markets, rosé, wild flowers, and painterly inspiration. You can read the full travel diary here.
With Andrew dining at Bon Accueil and our own private Eiffel Tower view
Sending warmth and creativity your way this July. May it bring you new sparks, slow moments, and space to dream. Until next time.
Julie x