Wildflowering by Design, Caloundra Regional Gallery

‘Wildflowering by Design’ touring exhibition opened yesterday for the final leg of the tour with a warm, joyful group. The exhibition is curated by Dr Susan Davis (OAM) and Dr Lisa Chandler.

It was fantastic to see the work of the local contingent of artists who created some incredible artworks for this show. This portion of the exhibition began with the Wildflowering Design Lab we hosted at the University of the Sunshine Coast in January, where we were able to share patterning and walking through place alongside Donna Davis and Judy Barrass

Artists featured are from Brisbane to the Bundaberg region, including: Rose Barrowcliffe, Nai Nai Bird, Renata Buziak, Donna Davis, Joolie Gibbs, Anne Harris, Nicole Jakins, Shelley Pisani, Edith Rewa, Cara Ann Simpson, Marni Stuart and Emma Thorp.

Local artists include: Bernice Wood, Megan Ruby Lee, Nicole Voevodin-Cash, Fuschia Darling, Rosie Lloyd-Giblett, Chloe Watego, Suzanne Breeze, Zartisha Davis, Jasmine Veronique, Grace Smith, Libby Derham & Fiona Harding.

This project was made possible by funding from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. It is also supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund, which is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Sunshine Coast Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Wildflowering by Design coming to Caloundra Regional Art Gallery

If you remember, back in January, we hosted the Wildflowering by Design Lab at UniSC. This was a chance to share wildflowering and patterning with a collection of Sunshine Coast artists. The work we made during the week and in the year that has followed is now going on show.

It will be shared at the Wildflowering by Design exhibition at the Caloundra Regional Gallery curated by Dr Lisa Chandler and Dr Sue Davis. The show opened October 18 and runs till the end of November 2025.

Within the show will be a collection of Shaz Hats that have been made from the patterns we crafted, printed by Next State. Photos by Your Life Photography

It has been an incredible opportunity to show practice with some amazing people, thank you for joining the journey: Libby Derham, Rosie Lloyd Giblett, Zartisha Davis, Fuschia Darling, Fiona Harding, Grace Smith, and Nicole Voevodin-Cash.

This exhibition was made possible by funding from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. It is also supported by the Caloundra Regional Gallery and Sunshine Coast Council.

Group of women showing hats that they have designed
Two women sitting amongst grasses
A collection of patterned hats

Design thinking for leadership

Today I co-hosted a workshop sharing design thinking for leadership with UniSC student Blake Cawthan. The workshop was part of the Leadership Lab hosted by the Students as Partners team.

It was fantastic to share design thinking approaches with such a diverse and enthusiastic group of student leaders.

Design Week at UniSC

This week is Design Week at the University of the Sunshine Coast, a space where we can bring in Industry experts to enrich our student’s learning.

For our subject Visual Communication we had the pleasure of receiving a guest lecture from Dr Megan Patty, Head of Publications, Photographic Services and Library at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Our Design Methods students were given the chance to hear from Dr Renata Buziak about her increadibly explorative creative practice.

We are thankful to both of our guests willingness to share an insight into their creative practice with us.

Image of Dr Megan Patty presenting to UniSC students.

Image of Dr Renata Buziak presenting to UniSC students.

Wild Flow

Wild Flow exhibition, curated by Dr Sue Davis and Dr Lisa Chandler at Gallery Lane in Coolum opened yesterday. The show, supported by SCC Division 8 funding shows off some of the work created during the Wildflower Design Lab we hosted in January hosted at UniSC.

The exhibition is a preview to the Caloundra Regional Gallery edition of the Wildflowering by Design touring exhibition on show in October.

WIldflower Pattern Play at Redlands Art Gallery

Over the weekend I hosted another exceptionally gorgeous Wildflower Pattern Play workshop at the Redlands Art Gallery on Quandamooka Country today. Such creativity and curiosity! A great way to engage in the Wildflowering by Design exhibition.

Thank you to Redlands Art Gallery, Dr Sue Davis and Dr Lisa Chandler.

This project was made possible by funding from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. It is also supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund which is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Redland City Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

women working together, making creative patterns.

Project Week at UniSC

We had another great series of seminars at UniSC for Project Week.

This time we were honored with a visit from Lovework Studio

Campbell and Robyn Butler are branding experts, with rebrands for Griffith University, Trust, and GuestReady in their impressive portfolios. The students were gifted a wealth of knowledge about the Lovework branding process from in-depth user-centred research to the minute crafting of outputs.

Thank you, Campbell and Robyn, for your generous time and knowledge.

Wildflowering by Design Redland Art Gallery

Wildflowering by Design opens at the Redland Art Gallery today. The work is hung beautifully and it’s great to see such a good local turn out. Thank you to curators Dr Sue Davis and Dr Lisa Chandlerfor your continued work on this project.

https://artgallery.redland.qld.gov.au/

I look forward to delivering the Patterns In Nature workshop there in May.
Bookings here
This project was made possible by funding from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. It is also supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund which is a partnership between the Queensland Government and Redland City  Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

Design Week at UniSC

This week is Design Week at the University of the Sunshine Coast. It’s a space where we can bring in knowledge through industry to enhance the student’s learning processes. This week I was able to host two fantastic seminars.

The first was artist Rosie Lloyd-Giblett who shared with students her use of the elements and principles of design in her arts practice.

The second was by my husband Thom Stuart who is also the Senior Designer at UniSC. He shared with the students the process of rebranding, and using brand guidelines, using the uni’s own rebranding transition as a case study. Thank you to our guest speakers and to all the students who joined in.

Wildflowering by Design: Sunshine Coast Design Lab

We had an incredible week at the Wildflowering By Design Lab with Dr Sue Davis and Dr Lisa Chandler and a swathe of impressive, creative, artists.

Throughout the week we explored a collection of wildflower walks through Currimundi Lake (Kathleen McArthur) Conservation Park, Mooloolah River Nation Park, and the Glass House Mountains Scientific Reserve.

We then got to play with technology, exploring repeat patterning, 3D printing, projection and more at the UniSC Maker Space.

I thank all those who have helped prepare the workshop and look forward to what the crew will imagine throughout the upcoming months for the Wildflowering by Design exhibition at the Caloundra Regional Gallery.

This project was made possible by funding from the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland. It is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Sunshine Coast Council to support local artists and culture in regional Queensland.

Image 2: Mica Schettini (Instagram @mica_schettini )

Wildflowering at Cooloolah 2024

I recently had the pleasure of delivering a workshop on Wildflowering for Patterning as part of Wildflowering at Cooloolah 2024.

Thank you to all the very keen and kind participants, to the lovely folk who keep these fantastic patches of land and to Dr Sue Davis, Dr Lisa Chandler, and Joolie Gibbs for organising.

This project was made possible by funding from the Queensland government through Arts Queensland. It is also supported through the Regional Arts Development Fund which is a partnership between the Queensland Government and the Gympie Regional Council to support arts and culture through regional Queensland.

Some images from Dr Sue Davis.

Wildflower pattern play at Bribie Island Seaside Museum

We had a great day exploring the Wildflowering Pattern Play workshop at the Bribie Island Seaside Museum with @wild_flower_women

We gathered together some beautiful florals and papers to explore the ways that botanicals can inspire patterns.Thank you to the team for having us and artist Edith Rewa for the Zine inspiration.

This project is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

New Role

This week I started a new lecturer position at the University of the Sunshine Coast.

I am delighted to be able to join this institution on Gubbi Gubbi land. The team’s research centers on people and place, so I’m very keen to collaborate on future projects.

I am incredibly grateful for my ten years with Torrens University Australia where I have been given so many wonderful opportunities to grow my practice. I have had the pleasure to work alongside some incredible academic and non-academic staff. In particular the design team, lead by Russell Ponting, Mark O'Dwyer & Scott Thompson-Whiteside .

Mostly I am thankful for the chance to work with the thousands of students I have taught at Torrens, many of which I’m still in contact with. It has been a joy to bring design, history anid research to your lives.

I’m looking forward to building new connections with the UniSC family.

Surface/Place Artist Residency

We have spent the month of November at the Surface/place Artist takeover at The Old Ambulance Station, Nambour alongside Nikita Fitzpatrick (New Dreaming Art) and Dr Sue Davis.

This initiative has been supported through the Creative Industries Investment Program and is jointly funded by ArtsCoast through Sunshine Coast Council’s Art and Heritage Levy and the Regional Arts Development Fund in partnership with Queensland Government.

Peppermint Magazine 60th Edition

It’s an absolute delight to be included in the 60th edition of Peppermint Magazine, on shelves now.

The piece profiles my work as a surface pattern designer, focusing on the learning I’ve gained through my PhD research, exploring response to place. All work shown is available now through Spoonflower.

Thank you Peppermint and Spoonflower for your support.