The 7th fundraising exhibition by True Blue & a Little Bit of Yellow took place at Incinerator Art Space, Willoughby, from 16–27 November 2022, and remains one of our most memorable milestones.
Over two weeks, we were overwhelmed by the support, kindness, respect, and genuine engagement from the local community. Australiana brought together seven artists and resulted in 18 of 30 artworks sold, with close to $10,000 raised to support people in Ukraine during a time of great need.
The exhibition was alive with connection and participation. I conducted two highly successful workshops on site, including a painting workshop where Scarlett Banksia bloomed across every artwork, and a special children’s workshop for students from Nova Ukrainian School. Seeing young participants engage with art in this context was deeply moving.
We were honoured to welcome remarkable supporters and guests at the opening, including Mayor of Willoughby City Tanya Taylor, MP Tim James, Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Sydney Jaroslav Duma, Deputy Chief of Mission Volodymyr Shalkivski, Co-chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations Kateryna Argirou, and many others. The opening was enriched by the music of Harrison Taranec on tenor saxophone, and the closing event was beautifully marked by violinist Maryana Sywak from Jaga Band.
Australiana was more than an exhibition — it was a shared effort, a meeting of art, community, and generosity, and a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with care and purpose.
Photography is another way I tell stories. Through the lens, I focus on capturing the essence of a moment — and quite often, that essence is found in something simple and authentic, like a genuine smile. For me, photography is not about staging perfection, but about conveying mood, feeling, and the small details that make each moment distinct. My approach is grounded in clarity and intention: clean, uncluttered compositions mood-driven visual storytelling thoughtful styling, particularly in portrait work I enjoy creating portraits that feel natural, balanced, and well composed, as well as documenting events in a way that is honest, engaging, and true to the atmosphere of the moment. Whether photographing a performance, an event, or an individual, my focus remains consistent — imagery that communicates clearly and carries emotional weight.
I’m delighted to share that my artwork “Bottlebrush Symphony” received the Gallery 11:11 Art Prize / People’s Choice Award! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited the exhibition, voted, and shared in this wonderful experience. Your support, encouragement, and kind words mean so much to me. The winning piece, “Bottlebrush Symphony,” will be available for purchase through the Gallery 11:11 website for the next eight weeks: www.gallery1111.net It was such a joy to celebrate this moment surrounded by art lovers, friends, and the creative community.
