Taking on a Kelpie Spirit

My dear Dolly, is a six year old Kelpie. Kelpies are bred as farm dogs and across Australia they are ubiquitous on farms, cattle stations and the like. An energetic dog, dedicated to the job of bringing in the herds and rounding up the stragglers. Fortunately for me, Dolly is timid, could not cope with the hustle and bustle of outback station life, is frightened of sudden noises, yet her instinct to round me up is in her blood.

With the launch of our refreshed, renewed, refurbished and radiant website, I dedicate this blog to dear Dolly as I round up recent activities and offer upcoming events for your diary.

When Richard left the spare studio in mid 2024 I decided to tidy it up. For six weeks I threw out, reshuffled, scrubbed, painted, sealed the concrete floor, window washed and replaced glass panes.

It has become a very cosy, intimate retail display area under the title Balam Balam Studio.

The logo designed by Genevieve Magilton is a stylised butterfly reflecting the transformation of the space. Liliana Barbieri created a stunning butterfly installation within, that has attracted the Copper Butterfly, native to this region.

Speaking of Genevieve, she and her sister Isobel have completed a mural commission on the

Stony Creek Studio property. The experience of working with these women of talent, whose attention to design and detail is considerable has been a real pleasure. They plan to have a launch of the Mural ‘Birdsong by the Bend’ in due course.

A detail of the Mural is on the website Homepage. An article on the making of the Mural is coming.

The commissioned mural has been in preparation for my application for participation in the Nillumbik Artist Open Studio program.  I submitted the application during 2024, was interviewed by three artists on the committee and received notification of my acceptance just prior to Christmas.

The program consists of four weekends during 2025 when the public are invited to visit about twenty-six studios in Nillumbik Shire. Put these dates in your diary: 26/27 April, 3/4 May, 15/16 November and 22/23 November. More news and information will be forthcoming.

https://www.artistsopenstudios.com

Walter has now officially retired from teaching, although he is happy to mentor and critique past student’s progressive artworks. A major shift and change for him and his studio has continued since early December. With the help of my daughter Cecelia, her husband Tony and Walter’s son Matthew we have virtually stripped the studio of easels, excess chairs, art materials and transformed it into a single person working studio. The addition of a toilet, painting racks, reshuffle of lights and shelving for his turntable, television, sofa and objects d’art display he looks forward creating paintings again.

Warrandyte Artisans Inc. has started 2025 with a wonderful Pop-up show at Artspace in Warrandyte, by Sarai Meyerink held on February 22/23. Keep a watch out in the Warrandyte Diary for upcoming exhibitions and follow our Facebook and Instagram social media.

The Contemporary Art Society (CAS) are in the twelfth year of the A4 Exhibition. This year some 580 A4 artworks are on display and for sale on Herring Island. The Opening is Saturday March 1 from 1-3pm. Take the Punt to the island, enjoy the natural environment and fabulous exhibition. Denise is pleased to have four of mono prints featured in the exhibition. the exhibition continues until April 30. I will be on duty and on site on April 5th 2 – 4:30, come and visit. https://www.contemporaryartsociety.org.au/exhibitions/a4-art-australia

Warrandyte Artisans Inc. are supporting the Warrandyte/Donvale Rotary Art Show 2025 with a 3D exhibition Off The Wall. Invited artists will showcase their pieces during the Rotary Art Show on Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th March. The official Opening will be held on Friday 28th from 7pm. Participating artists are: Jane Annois, Wayne Rankin, Tori Swedosh, Margaret Christianson, Lisa Male-Robertson, Csilla Csongvay, Matt Blackwood and Denise Keele-bedford.

https://warrandytedonvalerotary.org.au/art-show/

The Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show 2025 have invited both CAS and Melbourne and Victorian Artists (MAVA) to showcase members artworks at the Exhibition buildings. The exhibition is from March 26 – 30. Denise’s artworks are featured with both groups.

https://melbflowershow.com.au

https://www.mavacollective.com/mava-exhibitions

From 5 May – 2 June, I have been invited to showcase 3D artworks at Boxed In. Boxed In is a series of three window boxes: Located 24/7 viewing at 69 Victoria Parade, Collingwood.

https://www.satelliteprojects.org.au/exhibitions/

Alison Magilton, was a local artist, living and working in her studio in Warrandyte from 1973 until her death in 1986. An artist who worked with wool, I am thrilled that I am now resident in her old studio. Renamed ‘Yellow Flower Studio’ in honor of my studios that I maintained for fifteen years in Beijing China.

On the weekend 31 May/1 June, I will present a showcase of works by Alison at Artspace in Warrandyte. This Tribute Exhibition in celebration of her contribution to the arts will highlight aspects of her artistic output.

 NaNY Gallery, directed by Tori Swedosh and Jacinta Payne extended an invitation to Walter and I to exhibit for four weeks in July. The Opening is on Sunday 6 July 5-7pm. pop the date in your diary.

https://linktr.ee/nany_gallery

Warrandyte Artisans Inc. were successful in submitting to exhibition at Eltham Library Community Gallery. From 14 August – 9 September Natural Inspiration highlights artworks by eight artists: Jane Annois, Wayne Rankin, Julie Harmsworth, Gary Upfield, Roma McLoughlin, Kathy Fahey, Walter Magilton, and Denise Keele-bedford.

https://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Explore/Arts-and-culture/Arts-places-and-spaces/Eltham-Library-Community-Gallery

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