The Merry Press

14/05/2026

❤️🎨 MARY finds a HOME. I am pleased to announce that my ‘book within a book’ featuring the amazing life of Albany’s Mary Thomson now resides with Carol, who is enthralled with dynamic women in history as much as I am. The artwork was created for an exhibition by the WA Museum Great Southern. They provided us with a 1964 Encyclopaedia Brittanica, a theme of ‘Bound and Unbound’ and a condition that our creations must have an Albany focus. My copy had ‘Mary’ as a segment and led my research to Mary Thompson, a skilled music who shaped the Albany community through her work with arts, culture, education, indigenous support and historical events. Carol plans to place the artwork in various displays sharing the Mary Thomson story with all.

06/05/2026

❤️🎨 ‘RED ALERT’ is a triptych bringing our attention to the imminent demise of Baudin’s black cockatoo, the western ring tail possum and the numbat. I’ve ’whited out’ linocut prints and used red thread to represent the thin threads left to their existence. The 3 artworks are on their way to the national Dear Earth exhibition at Belconnen Arts Centre in Canberra. All the exhibition artworks can be found online too.

30/04/2026

❤️🎨 The EVOLUTION of NEW WORK. Many months in the enjoyable making, ‘The Rain… She comes and goes’ is the first in a series that gives a voice to nature. I have used mineral dyes to create the Kimberley styled landscape and overlayed the images with linocut prints of mulla mulla and spinifex. It’s off to the PAWA Contemporary Print Awards in Fremantle.

15/04/2026

❤️🎨 SO TELL ME about the ARROWS. I’ve had some questions so I’ll tell you the story. This materials driven artwork lays out 200 years of Australian history in arrows, and while I have based it on Albany WA, it applies to many Australian towns and cities. Starting at the top left an emu has left his footprint in the earth, and First Nations culture is represented. The arrow on a convict’s clothing is followed by a plough tine. Department of Defence logo appears on tent canvas symbolising Australia’s involvement in world wars, followed by arrows indication the development of street signs and roads. Life becomes more complex with intricate roundabouts as our country comes to the realisation and adoption of a recycled and circular economy. It was a long and interesting process to create each individual square, using realistic materials and researching Australian history. This piece is currently exhibited as part of the Great Southern ArtAward at the Albany Town Hall.

05/04/2026

❤️🎨 It’s been a BUSY WEEK! The Great Southern Art Awards opened on Thursday and I was pleased to have my artwork ‘200 Years’ displayed. It tells the story of 200 years of Albany , from an ancient land and First Nations people, through colonisation and war and the development of a city. I also presented my various prints , books and cards during the Albany Easter Arts Festival. Loved the way .eventswa organised a day of perfect sunshine! Hundreds of people enjoyed it and it was lovely to meet and greet families, friends and fellow artists. So much going on for the 200th anniversary year long events in Albany.

18/03/2026

ATTENTION PRINTMAKERS. This Printing Press might be exactly what you are looking for!

The South West Printmakers Lavender Bee

Send a message to learn more

13/02/2026

❤️🎨 DO YOU JUST have to MAKE ART? Let your creativity pour out over a whole weekend. Join a small group of 8 others just like you and explore Drawing or Printmaking … or both! Just contact me to reserve your place. These workshops are suitable for all levels. .art.admirer Albany Art Group.com

05/02/2026

❤️🎨 PLAYING with OCEAN VIBES. This monoprint traces the outline of the paper nautilus shell and the ink created some beautiful textures on the paper. I explored these with coloured pencils and created a sea and landscape with thread. I made a couple last year with a similar approach showing ocean waves with sea grass below. They are both bringing the ocean vibes to their new homes. 🥰 Printmakers Association of WA ArtSouth WA and the Southern Art & Craft Trail Lavender Bee

02/02/2026

❤️🎨 PRINTMAKING WEEKEND Workshop. Like to try linocut printmaking or to improve your skills? Join me and only 7 others on 28 and 29 March in Albany. Like to make a weekend of it? Ask me about my self contained cottage to stay in while you and your bestie have an arty weekend to yourself! Just contact me for details.

28/01/2026

❤️🎨 Taking my BOTANICAL PRINTMAKING in a new direction this year. Overlaying mineral dyed ‘landscapes’ with tiny prints from real, pressed foliage. Lots of experimenting going on in the studio!