BOAT Harbour artists Joanna Greenwood, Bernadette Meyers, and Melanie Webb will open their studios for “Art, Nature & Community”, a celebration of creativity, friendship, and the natural beauty of the Port Stephens coast.
The exhibition will showcase an inspiring collection of paintings, photography, etchings, cards and prints – each piece deeply connected to the colours, textures, and rhythms of the local landscape.
Visitors will have the chance to meet the artists, explore their creative spaces, and discover artworks that capture the essence of life by the sea.
The collaboration between the three artists grew organically out of friendship and shared creative values.
“All of my [adult] friendships…have come from being involved in art communities,” said Melanie Webb.
“[Jo and I] have exhibited together before, and it’s such a pleasure to now collaborate with Bernie, whose work also reflects a deep love of nature.”
“Mel and Bernie are definitely kindred spirits; my go-to artist friends for feedback and encouragement. We all inspire each other.”
For all three, nature is both muse and teacher.
“We are truly blessed to live in paradise,” said Bernadette Meyers.
“Every day I walk in nature and still gasp at the beauty that surrounds me; the shimmering water, ever-changing skies, rock formations, and soaring birds.
“I’ll never grow tired of the light shimmering on the water’s surface, the gorgeous, ever-changing sky paintings, the salty breeze, the soft sand between my toes, the vast ocean, the monumental rock formations, the limitless colours and patterns or the soaring birds. Plus, we spot dolphins and whales!”
Jo shares the awe and appreciation.
“The bush here is so lush and rugged, and the rock formations, colours, and flowers are so beautiful.
“One minute you’re watching huge waves break against the rocks, and the next minute you’re sitting amongst flowers, watching the calm harbour. It has everything.”
Each artist interprets this environment through their own lens.
Greenwood’s expressive pastel and watercolour works capture movement and energy in still subjects.
“I use energetic mark making and varied line work to express the life within things like trees and flowers,” she explained.
Meyers, who works in both photography and pastels, explores calm and reflection through her art.
“Whether I’m creating through the lens or with pastels, it’s a meditative process,” she said.
Webb’s acrylic, cyanotype, and watercolour works celebrate unexpected natural compositions.
“I love studying the relationships between plants, animals, and people,” she said.
The artists hope visitors leave their studios feeling uplifted and inspired.
By Jacie WHITFIELD
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