The Evolving Story of 2025

(May) Recently the staff at the stunning Gatakers Gallery in Maryborough accepted my proposal for an art residency to coincide with the 2026 Australian Heritage Festival Fraser Coast, and they’ve also offered me a generous exhibition space to hold an exhibition the following year. This is leading me to explore my roots in particular the life of my beautiful, courageous Prussian Great GrandMother Julianna Rahmann (nee Finke) who landed in Maryborough in 1865. My exhibition will honour her life through the eyes and technology of a contemporary woman. The Exhibition will also compare her restrictive social environment of working class women in the 1800’s with my own relative freedoms, opportunities and choices.

.WORKSHOPS ATTENDED SO FAR THIS YEAR:

  • Landscapes with Cooroy Artist - Trevor Purvis

  • Creating Zines - Anna Guthrie (Flying Arts Alliance - South Brisbane Tafe)

  • Creative iPhone Photography and Collage - Joachim Froese at Jan Manton Gallery

COMMUNITY EVENTS

  • I held an open studio for a large art appreciation group of the Strathpine U3A

  • Enjoyed attending the opening of Wendy Sharpe’s exhibition at Phillip Bacon Gallery

ANNOUNCEMENT

Will be holding an invitation only open studio event in July 2025 - for further details contact me via this website.

Reflections of 2024

After many years evolving my art practice, at the beginning of 2024 I focused on taking my art out wider into the world. I expanded my social media presence, created this website and found new ways to present my art on various surfaces including homewares and clothing; initially through Red Bubble (www.Mgratwick.redbubble.com) then finding a local sublimation printer. I got a big kick out of seeing some of my brightly coloured artworks transferred onto mugs, glass coasters, tote bags, clothing, and prints.

During September my mini solo exhibition "Urban Wild” was part of the “Four Views” exhibition, accompanying two fellow painters and a ceramic artist, at The Loft Gallery and Coffee House, Redcliffe, Qld. The title of my largest painting, “Nature is My Lifeboat” reflected the theme of this series.

The opening event was a joy and very well attended. There was a lot of love in the room and sales of my work was good. The feedback I received from many was very encouraging.

On the 30th of November, I hosted an OPEN STUDIO event at my home in Clontarf. While my artwork delivered the main act, several other artists also hosted the side acts with a display and sale of their work and also musicians from Bauhause provided the music. The two levels of my home were humming with many attendees, and also a Christmas celebration. I made many sales of paintings, prints and other art surfaced items such as tote bags, jewellery and homeware. It was so successful that I am planning to hold another Open Studio Event in 2025. Watch this space!