Newsletter 10th May, 2026

From the Studio…

Greetings from Cammeraygal Country where the weather is cooling but it’s still been possible to swim. New habits have formed, new ideas are percolating and new products are on the horizon.

Let’s get to it!

Colour Walks

and Seasonal Noticing

Recently I have challenged myself to walk as much as possible. This includes walking to and from work often carrying a laptop, lunch and always a change of clothes. It has now become a habit and I am feeling better for it physically and mentally. It is a good way to put a firm line between work and home and to shake out any residual stress left in my body.

Sometimes I also walk during breaks with work friends. We stride the local streets catching up, debriefing and sometimes doing Colour Walks. Have you ever tried it? You pick a colour and notice as many instances of it as you can. Results are surprising. Pink included ornamental grasses, the berries on lilly pilly trees, sunset sky (on walk home), galahs and of course camellias. Red included new leaves, autumn leaves, begonia leaves, stop signs, roses and stain glass inset into door frames. It’s a great mindfulness activity and really trains your eye.

Greeting Cards

Very soon, greeting cards featuring my original artworks will be available at my online shop. I have been choosing artworks, getting samples printed, ordering envelopes and generally trying to make some Beautiful Things. The first run will feature eight different designs and will be available as single cards or as Build-your-own-bundles of three or five cards. They are blank inside and so can be used for any occasion, to gift or even collect and display. Botanicals feature strongly, there’s a red chair, a cat and an intriguing view of the tunnels in Guanajuato, Mexico. I’m thrilled with what’s coming and I hope you will be too! Stay tuned…

Pssst… It’s the Incognito Art Show!

20,000+ ARTWORKS

10,000+ ARTISTS

$100 EACH

This year I have entered three artworks in the Incognito Art Show. This is a large inclusive art show where artists produce A5 sized artworks which will be on sale around Australia and online for $100 each. The twist is that the identity of the artist who made the artwork is only revealed after the purchase has been made! 

I have found out that my artworks will be sold in Sydney and Townsville. Can you spot them online I wonder? I can’t reveal the finished images of course, but I will let you know that they fit into three different subject categories:

  • Portrait and People

  • Botanicals and Flora and

  • Architecture, Interiors, Urban.

The Art Show runs from June 24th to July 5th in Sydney (with viewing days on 24-26th June) and in Townsville 11-16th August (with viewing days on 11-14th August).

Happy Hunting!

Artwork in Focus - Banksia Sky

As part of my series of Australian Botanicals I just had to include a Banksia. This image includes both flowers and seedpods, making a graphic pattern against a clear blue sky. It is based on a tree I pass on my walks which grows in a highly challenging location - right beside a busy freeway! It is a tree that doesn’t get any special treatment, no water except for rainwater, no care and yet, despite everything, it flourishes. I love its resilience.

Banksias are plants that are known for their longevity and toughness, surviving bushfires, attracting birds (look at those nectar-filled flowers) and have long inspired artists (May Gibbs and her ‘big, bad banksia men’ from the classic Australian children’s book series ‘Snugglepot and Cuddlepie’ comes to mind).

I used ink applied with a bamboo nib pen, watercolour and Inktense pencils before adding gouache paint for the background. I am excited to say that this painting will be featured in my upcoming Greeting Card series too!

I hope you enjoy this edition of From the Studio. I’ll be contact again soon when the Greeting Cards are available. May you find some joy every single day.

Until next time.

xx Ella