Every so often, a commission opens the door to an entirely new way of thinking. One such moment came when a client asked for something unexpected — a lightweight, sculptural object in the form of puppets.
Creating puppets became an unusual and exciting way for me to explore my creativity. They sit somewhere between sculpture, design, and storytelling. Unlike painting, where the surface holds the narrative, puppets demand attention to volume, balance, texture, and movement. Even at rest, they suggest gesture, character, and presence.
Working on these pieces allowed me to think beyond the wall and the frame, translating artistic ideas into tactile, three-dimensional forms. Each puppet became a small character — playful, expressive, and full of personality.
This unexpected direction reminded me how important it is to stay open as an artist. New materials, new formats, and new requests can lead to discoveries that expand both practice and imagination — sometimes in the most surprising ways.
My newest artwork, What the Red Caps Hide: Lime Bloom, was SOLD at the 50x50 Exhibition at Brunswick Street Gallery, Melbourne. This tree portrait is inspired by the extraordinary flowers and seed capsules of Eucalyptus macrandra. The vivid red nut caps seem to guard a surprise beneath them: luminous lime-green blossoms that transform the tree into an explosion of colour. What the Red Caps Hide: Lime Bloom 2026 Acrylic and texture paste on wood 50 × 50 cm 📍 Brunswick Street Gallery Level 1 & 2, 322 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065 🗓 Exhibition: 20 June – 3 July 🥂 Opening Night: Friday 26 June, 6–9 pm 🕙 Open Tue–Sat 10am–5pm | Sun 11am–4pm | Closed Mondays Still time to see the 2026 Fifty Squared Art Prize — Australia’s largest open-call exhibition for wall-based works (50×50cm and under), featuring over 900 artworks. So much incredible work in one space — a true snapshot of contemporary practice.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined the workshop! I’m so proud of the beautiful creations you brought to life and all that you achieved with your creativity. A special shoutout to Sandy Bake Shop for hosting us in such a lovely space — your warm and welcoming environment made the day even more enjoyable. And of course, thank you to Nataliya Bake For Ukraine for the delicious sweet treats — you added that extra touch of magic to our day! It was such a joy to share this creative experience with you all. I can’t wait for the next one!
