More about Me...

 This self promotion business is a bit of a  self indulgence isnt it. Terrifying actually;  Like most performers, I am naturally a very shy person.

I was often labeled a 'snob' at school because I was so paintfully self concious, I wouldnt talk to anyone.

Anyway, getting older helps that greatly (my mum always told me that). And here I am on the other side of 50 finally caring less what others might think. (but I still have moments of retrospective terror).

Anyway. I was recently interviewed by a couple of people - Robin Hill of Breathing Colours Gallery, and Kristine Ballard, a talented an respected professional.

Links are below.

Arts Practice Interview with Kristine Ballard

Video Interview with Breathing Colours

Introducing: The Second Half of the Year!

I think the slow part of the year is over dont you? The calendar is filling up again with workshops, exhibitions, social engagements etc etc. I think I will miss the "hibernation" of the last 3 months actually.

The Exhibition at Purple Noon Gallery went very well. I sold many works. How good is that? I am humbled and blessed.
The gallery now has a lovely new exhibition which you can view HERE

Museum Quality Prints

I am so excited to be able to announce that I now have a series of prints available. I have thought long and hard about reproducing my paintings - after many requests, I have decided to offer a small selection.

Printed on 310gsm Canson Rag Paper, Printed with museum quality 12 pigment ink, and embossed with my signature as a mark of authenticity; these prints are a quality product that I will be happy to have myself, especially since most of the paintings have been sold.

Birds of Joy Series

"Larrikins"

"Close To You"

"By Your Side"

"Galahs"

"Happy Talk"

"A New Place To Sing"

Many good things to come in this Year of Wonders. Stay tuned!

The Show Must Go On

Despite the whole world in various stages of lockdown and isolation, we still must "carry on" with our lives as best we can.

I have been very lucky in the fact I can still paint in my studio, and my exhibition scheduled with Purple Noon Gallery, will still go ahead, although not in the traditional way.

Opening this Saturday 2 May - the paintings are on the wall - and the opening will be viewed on line via Purple Noon Gallery. If you are in Sydney, you can even make an appointment to visit the gallery.

If you would like a catalogue, please contact me or the gallery.

Keep sanitised and keep safe.

First Show for 2020

"Landline" at Rochfort Gallery is a beautiful collection of landscape inspired works, each with their own unique approach to mark making.


Features myself,
Coco Elder,
Leah Thiessen,
Joanne Duffy,
Dana Dion,
Sally Stokes,
Ken Knight,
Jaqueline Fowler,
Phil Stallard,
Barbara Goldin,
Suvira McDonald

The exhibition is on until March 29 2020

November is Nifty

Really lame title.

But I am a busy girl, and sitting at the desk staring into space thinking of the perfect heading is not going to happen today.

Culture Crash

Threw myself into November with the opening of "Culture Crash" A joyful and bright exhibition of work by myself, Gabby Malpas, and John Klein. It explores our personal interpretation of new cultures becoming part of the Australian environment.

The show runs until the end of the week.

Catalogues are available online

Mellissa Read-Devine

Gabby Malpas

John Klein

We have all had a marvellous time with the opening and artist talk being well attended and sponsored by Young Henrys. Also a big thankyou to Claudia Chan Shaw for opening and a great radio interview at Eastside Radio

Back in Balmain

Straight After Culture Crash, it will be time for a Pop Up Show at The Balmain Space, organised by Breathing Colours. Exhibiting a small body of work with my very good friend and very very good artist Julie Simmons; we are delighted to be exhibiting back in Balmain where we have made such a lot of new friends.





"Back To Balmain"

Dates: 18 November - 7 December

At Balmain Space, 79 Beattie Street, Balmain

Hours 9am - 6pm, Monday to Saturday

Opening Night 4-6pm Saturday 23 November

International Group Show

How exciting. I am part of a BIG group show being held by 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace featuring a handpicked selection of artists from around the world.

"Threesome"

November 30 - January 30

19 Karen Contemporary Artspace

My works are below and are available:

Nasturtium Party 1
More info

Nasturtium Party 2
More info

Nasturtium Party 3
More info

Have a lovely November.

Mellissa

More Daylight, More Work

One thing I like about the warmer months is that it is lighter later. Mind you, I work best first thing in the morning, so it is just as well it is lighter earlier as well. And much easier to get out of bed!

Term 4 at the Royal Art Society

And another school term has zoomed by. So it is time to think of the coming term for the end of the year. Starts the week of October 7 so if you want to learn about all things acrylic with me or another discipline with the other tutors, contact the Royal Art Society NSW HERE

Exhibitions Still On To Visit

"Artful Alchemy"

Still on until the end of this week (Monday 30 September) at Lithgow's Gang Gang Gallery featuring a group show with Yaja Hadrys, Mellissa Read-Devine, Mark Powell, Ray Harrington, Jane Canfield and Nadege Lamy

"Building Blocks" 105 x 80cm

Royal Art Society "Medal of Distinction Award Spring Exhibition"

I was most honoured to receive a Highly Commended in the award for "Eorthe"

"Hawkesbury Art Fair"

I have a large painting in this showcase of Hawkesbury Community Arts Groups being showcased at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery. 13 September - 13 October

"Lush" (thats the title of the painting)
92 x 168 cm

"Our Wildlife"

Group Show at the Ferry Artists Gallery, Wisemans Ferry.  On until the end of October.

"Blossom" 21 x 21cm

News

I have been selected as a finalist  in the George River Art Prize - this exhibition will be at the Hurstville Regional Gallery 26 October - 30 January

Next Exhibition Coming Soon

Fellow artists Gabby Malpas, John Klein and myself have been working very hard on this show - gonna be fabulous!

Workshop

My next workshop will be at Art Est, Leichardt 17 November. Come and paint "Beautiful Birds"!

"Larrikins" 101 x 101 cm

Winter Sunshine

Even though its very dry, I am enjoying the glorious weather here in Sydney.

I met my Royal Art Society class at Balls Head Reserve the other day, and it was so very nice.

Although I am originally a Melbourne Girl, I must say I love Sydney and it's harbour. It is a jewel.

Term 3 will be starting at the Royal Art Society next week, so if you want to learn all things acrylic with me or another discipline with out other tutors. Contact details are HERE

If one day workshops are more your thing - Art Est in Leichardt will be hosting a Large Landscape workshop with me on Sunday 4 August

"This is The Day I Was Given"
101 x 156cm

Next Exhibition coming up

I am still sorting out works for this one - nothing like last minute - my studio is full of colourful trees and rock canvasses and Im thinking I should add a bird or two.

Gang Gang Gallery Website

Hawkesbury Artists and Artisans Trail Open Studio Weekend

24 - 25 August
Once again I will be at Little River Art Studios - demonstrating on the Saturday. Come and see the beautiful studio of Jeanette Starr, meet some artists,  look at some great art, have a cuppa and then move on to another local studio in the area

June Joy

The Other Side of the World

I have just returned from a marvelous two weeks in Portugal with fellow artist and very good friend Julie Simmons. Travelling from Lisbon to the Algarve to Porto it was an inspiring, busy yet relaxing time.
Fellow Australians Peter Griffen and Denise Lithgow were tutors with www.artinthealgarve.com and I recommend both tutors and venue highly.

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Walk and Talk

This is the last week for "Land Rhythms" at Rochfort Gallery - I will be giving an artist talk on the Sunday at 11am - I'll have a chat about my arts practice and give an insight into my artistic vision.

Walk with an Artist

Mellissa Read-Devine

Sunday 16^th June - 11am at Rochfort 

Above: 'Saturday Symphony’ by Mellissa Read-Devine, 185 x 185 cm,

Join Mellissa Read-Devine Sunday 16^th June as she takes us on a journey through her exquisite representations of Australia’s backyard.

Illustrating progressive storytelling, Rochfort Gallery's Collection Eleven enables you to explore the evolution of Mellissa Read-Devine's latest native investigations.

Painting with a vision of colour, Mellissa Read-Devine's Australian Landscapes and florals relinquish darkness in favour of light. With her distinctive eclectic palette and layered application of brush strokes, Read-Devine's current collection evokes music from the landscape.

Please join Mellissa Read-Devine Sunday 16^th at 11am, as she takes us on her vivid journey

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Sunshine in Wisemans Ferry

Coming up, a group show "Winter Sunshine" at the Community Gallery at Wisemans Ferry.

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Fabulous Florals Sunday 23 June 10am - 3pm

A Sunday workshop coming up at Art Est, Leichardt. 

Join me for this bold and colourful still life workshop focussing on florals and flowers, immersing yourself in the glorious freedom of colourful bold brushstrokes.

I think I'll need another holiday after this month!