Our Exhibition Wild Things-Decadence is nearly here!

This wonderfully creative event will run from the 21st to 30th of November 2018 at Richard Randall Art Studio, Brisbane Botanical Gardens Weekend Notes has a lovely article on our exhibition. Click here for details.

The story of Wild Things … Mid to late 2000 saw local artists Sharyn Hall and Wendy Bailye coping with family illness, care and the eventual death of elderly parents. During these challenges, they both realised they were in a creative drought and decided to meet regularly. Through their friendship and their combined experimentation and development of new ideas and different ways to apply their artistic processes, they found their way to a happier and more creative space. At one of these studio play days, an exhibition idea was conceived – something to give their creative exploits purpose. Mostly therapeutic: would it be serious and conceptual – exploring their respective grief or exotic and wild – experimenting and playing with colour, texture and new processes? Sharyn and Wendy chose the latter and Wild Things was born.

The first Wild Things exhibition was held at the Richard Randall Art Studio Gallery, Mt Coot-tha Botanical Gardens. It seemed a suitable space for two artists to fill with their respective creative exploits – and though anxious, Sharyn and Wendy were excited as those first exhibition dates drew close – would anyone turn up to the opening, and would they buy anything? It was a huge success- delighted and having had such fun … it wasn’t a question of whether they would continue the weekly studio days and plan a second exhibition the following year … of course they would!

Their friendship has grown and developed over the years – learning from, and inspiring each other, while continuing to explore new skills and processes and bringing freshness to their respective crafts. Sharyn and Wendy willingly share their expertise, equipment and materials – a collaboration of sorts between a mixed media artist and felt maker. They now fit their creative process around their busy lives, families and any opportunities to travel – for work or play. Sharyn and Wendy are enjoying their journey, keeping their spark of creativity alive and well. Having a creative friend helps, they both feel incredibly lucky to have found each other. The momentum for their annual exhibition at the Richard Randall Art Studio keeps them buoyant, creative and making.