Colours of Freedom was a group exhibition by True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow, created to honour Ukrainian Independence Day on 24 August. The exhibition brought together Ukrainian artists living in Australia around a simple but powerful challenge: to create works using only two colours — blue and yellow.
Within this limitation, each artist found their own voice. The palette became a shared language, symbolising freedom, hope, and the ongoing journey of Ukraine’s independence. Despite the restraint, the exhibition was rich in emotion, interpretation, and strength, reflecting resilience through colour alone.
The exhibition was generously supported by the Balmain Association and the Ukrainian Council of NSW, and was presented across two locations: Balmain Watch House Gallery from 11–13 August 2023, and Woollahra Redleaf Gallery from 23–25 August 2023.
Colours of Freedom stood as a reminder that even with the simplest means, art can speak clearly, carry meaning, and bring people together in solidarity.
During the Rooted in Nature exhibition, I ran two small, intimate workshops focused on observing nature through different lenses. The first workshop explored trees from a distance — their shapes, rhythm, and presence in the landscape. The second shifted to a close-up study of eucalypt blooms, celebrating detail, texture, and colour. Working with texture paste and acrylic, we built layered, expressive surfaces full of energy. I keep my groups small to allow for a more personal approach, and although everyone followed the same process, each artwork turned out completely different. There is something truly magical about creating inside an exhibition space. Being surrounded by artworks and artists in the act of making seems to boost creativity and confidence — the energy is contagious. Both groups did an incredible job, and I’m genuinely proud of the results and the courage they brought to their work.
A Look Back at Our Winter Workshops 🌿🎨 We had some very enjoyable workshops in the studio over winter! With small groups, I can give each person the attention they need, demonstrate the techniques closely, and help everyone achieve a successful result. I’m especially proud of those who had never picked up a paintbrush before. Seeing them start with no experience and finish with a painting they are genuinely proud of is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. We experimented with different techniques, materials and approaches to painting — and, of course, had a lot of fun along the way. Here are some of the results from our winter workshops. I think everyone did a fantastic job!
