No Need for Panic!

A bit of a sneek peak and a bit of mahem.

With just under a week until the studio doors open, everything is—at this moment—under control. Of course, now that I’ve said that, chaos is bound to ensue! The only reason for my current sense of calm is that I can’t count. Numbers have never been my strength. I was working furiously toward a deadline that, as it turns out, was a week later than I thought—lucky me!

Things are so under control, in fact, that we even packed up the dog and headed off for a couple of nights in our campervan. A little escape to Chapman River, where we swam, soaked in nature, and breathed before the final stretch.

It occurred to me that some of you, my wonderful subscribers, might not know much about me or my studio. It’s nestled on our five-acre property in Ferguson Valley, about 20 kilometers from Bunbury, Western Australia. The Ferguson River flanks our land—roaring through winter and settling into peaceful billabongs in summer. Our life here is simple: a non-commercial orange orchard, a vegetable garden, chooks, and a few sheep. Rob writes, I paint, and we share a deep appreciation for each other’s creative pursuits. He’s my sounding board, my biggest supporter, and an extraordinary framer.

I built my studio in 2022 after outgrowing my original workspace—a repurposed 1977 dental caravan. The new studio is light-filled and spacious, with big windows and a verandah that overlooks a dam. That verandah is my favorite retreat, where I take my cuppa, pause, and reflect on whatever piece I’m working on.

This will be my third Open Studio, and despite the endless details and the work required, I absolutely love it. The people who come through are warm, supportive, and genuinely interested. At the end of each day, when exhaustion sets in, I still find myself buzzing with the joy of sharing my year’s work and the incredible place we’re privileged to call home.