Joey Davis: Painting through it all
After a life-altering injury, Newcastle artist Joey Davis turned to painting as a form of healing – and ended up building a one-of-a-kind art business that’s as joyful as it is heartfelt.
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A slower way to tell a story: Inside Issue 24
This issue, we’re putting the spotlight on something that’s always been at the heart of Swell – slow living. Here’s your first look at what’s inside.
Celebrating NAIDOC 2025: Artist Shannon Kelly on culture, connection and legacy
This NAIDOC Week, we spoke with Gamilaroi artist Shannon Kelly, whose work explores strength, culture and belonging. Living and creating on Worimi Country, Shannon uses both traditional and digital mediums to tell stories that honour the past and uplift the next generation.
Amy Lovat on her second novel, Big Feelings – an anti-romantic comedy
Newcastle author Amy Lovat’s second novel Big Feelings is a heartfelt, sharp, and funny exploration of love, loss, and figuring yourself out – and we absolutely LOVED it! We had a quick chat with Amy to find out more ahead of her Newcastle book launch on July 17.
Betty’s Book Fair is coming to The Station, Newcastle
The team at Betty Loves Books are taking us back to simpler times with their inaugural Book Fair on Saturday 12 July. Here’s all the details.
Bonus interview: artist Melody Suranyi
In this bonus interview with Newcastle artist Melody Suranyi, she shares the artists who inspire her, her dreams of international residencies and fashion collaborations and the colour palettes currently lighting up her studio. Plus, Melody offers honest, heartfelt advice for emerging artists navigating the highs and lows of the creative journey.
Finding home in Newcastle
No one really prepares you for what it’s like to start over in a city that already knows who it is. I can’t call myself a fully-fledged local yet (I still need Google Maps to find half the suburbs), but after a year, Newcastle feels more like home than I ever expected. It didn’t happen in one big moment where everything clicked, but rather with little things that added up over time.
Celebrating local voices: Swell Story Search 2025 is here!
At Swell, we believe in the power of great storytelling to connect, inspire, and celebrate our local community. Our annual Story Search is on again, inviting you to nominate Newcastle or Hunter region businesses or individuals whose stories deserve to be shared on our beautiful pages. The selected story will be featured in our Summer issue, accompanied by a professional photoshoot.
Classics, Cakeboi & Cookbooks with Reece Hignell
Few people capture the joy of baking quite like Reece Hignell, the warm and wonderful force behind Newcastle’s Cakeboi. Known for his nostalgic, home-style creations and heartfelt connection to family recipes, Reece’s cookbook Cakeboi: A Collection of Classic Bakes continues to win hearts (and sweet tooths) long after its release.
Life Happens – how to keep calm and carry on when your kids get sick
Allow us to introduce you to Sick Happens – an amazing online resource taking the fear out of common childhood illnesses and teaching parents how to stay cool, calm, and collected while doing the best for their kids. We chatted to founder Penny Blunden to find out more.
