For artist Prudence DeMarchi, life is a beautiful messy blur of paint and parenting. When Prudence isn’t playing mum, she’s creating magic in her studio, whipping up colourful works of art to brightened up the lives of her growing legion of fans.
It takes a special kind of person to feel so passionate about supporting small businesses and their community that they’d drop what they’re doing, quit their day jobs and dedicate every last minute of their spare time to doing just that. Welcome to the stage – Lauren Curtis and Lewis Kearney, founders of the Homegrown Markets.
What does a piece of art tell you about its creator? The art in question here is jewellery, and its creator is art teacher turned jewellery designer, self-taught business woman and lover of the lyrical line – Michelle Smith.
What’s the most interesting thing about how you spend your spare time? Do you knit hats for your cat, sculpt bonsai or read tarot cards? Whatever you do, you can bet there’s a way to monetise that interest. You could open an online store, launch an e-course or become a blogger in your niche! But do you have to? Hobbies might be your fast track to having a side hustle, but it’s also okay if your backyard beehive, home-brewed beer, or wobbly pottery doesn’t pay the bills.
For Pi Williams, life is joyfully bursting at the seams. For this unique Central Coast artist with three young sons and an increasing demand for her stunning textile artworks, each day is a busy bundle of wool, fabric, nature adventures and kids.
Sitting on top of Nobbys-Whibayganba Headland, is Nobbys Lighthouse, one of the most iconic landmarks in Newcastle – but it’s not just ships it’s guiding in. These days the lighthouse is home to Hunter Writers’ Centre initiative, Lighthouse Arts, and its artist-in-residence program. Swell speaks to Katherine McLean, Hunter Writers Centre and Lighthouse Arts director, to find out more.
When her grandfather’s leather tools serendipitously came into her possession, Millie Harvey was determined not to let them gather dust. Combining her background in industrial design and interests in slow fashion and simplified living, she created Tamboon Leather Co – a modern brand built on age-old values.
For Wayde Clarke, life has been a beautiful and bumpy ride, but creating art has served as a grounding anchor throughout it all. A proud queer Birpai and Wiradjuri man living on Awabakal land in Newcastle, Wayde’s journey as an artist has unexpectedly gone from part time hobby to full time career. With legions of loyal fans lapping up his brilliantly bright creations, Wayde’s purpose runs higher than just decorating walls with his paintings – he plans to help people through art. Swell writer Odette Tonkin discovers that he’s
a man on a mission.
For Lauren Freestone, her Indigenous artworks have never been more in demand and life has never been busier, but a solid connection to family and country has kept her feet firmly on the ground as her artistic career soars.
Melanie Norman’s debut solo exhibition explores vulnerability and getting out of our comfort zones.
