The View from over the fence

Acrylic, Watercolour and Pencil on Canvas board

The view over my backyard fence is my favourite thing to look at from my small courtyard and windows. I love to watch the Crepe Myrtle tree change with the seasons. Spring brings lush green foliage; Summer brings pink flowers and figs from the overgrown Fig tree the birds and possums feed on. Autumn delivers a colourful display of falling leaves and winter bares all the branches and the view is of the sky and clouds and the fairy wrens that hop around them and on the fence. The old shed with its corrugated iron roof contrasts well with the sky and trees.

Water reflections

Acrylic, Watercolour, Metallic paint and gauche

Water calms me. I try to swim as often as I can. I use the pool hoist to get into the pool which used to be embarrassing but now the staff know me and its ok. I feel free when I am in the water. When the sun is rising I catch glimpses of it in the water. And from the windows outside. Red, Yellow, Blue and green. The sunsets and silvery moon. If I go early in the morning, it's still dark. I also love really hot showers which relax me. Abstract art is my favourite expression.

Stargazing

Watercolour

One of my favourite things to do is gaze at stars twinkling in the night sky, deep in thought. I love the colours in this piece and the silhouette of the hills and Pine trees sitting gracefully lining the bottom of my painting.

A hero lies in you

Watercolour

"A hero lies in you" is part of the lyrics of my favourite song, Hero by Mariah Carey. A song I always played in hospital after my injury as the lyrics are so inspiring and uplifting. Definitely got me through some dark times. My favourite thing to paint are flowers, especially Cherry blossoms.

Lord of Change

Plastic construction, undercoat and many, many different colours and layers of acrylic paint

I have been playing and painting Warhammer miniatures since I was 15. I have always loved Chaos armies, who are the evil followers of different demonic gods, of which my favourite is Tzeench, Chaos god of magic, change, and weaving of fates. This Lord of Change oversees the most intricate and devious plans, commanding legions of troops and wielding the most dark and dangerous of spells. I had a lot of fun trying to reflect this nature in painting the changing colours on the wings and staff, and in the small details of the jewels, eyes and flames.

Juxtaposition (Highly Commended)

Raku clay, Mayco Glaze

My sculpture is called Juxtaposition ( my favourite word) which reflects my favourite thing; Nature. Which is both reflected in verdant colour and the red earth of these Aztec structures in my sculptures. Aztec structures are my favourite shapes. Corokia plant being beautiful yet tragic; which is one of my favourite plants. Sculpting is my favourite way to spend my time.

Sun and Moon No 3

Acrylic on Canvas

The sun and moon make we happy! You need to see the sun and mood to know you have had the day. Painting isn't beyond my capabilities and I can still enjoy it!!

Still me.

Markers on paper

This is my first step toward creativity post injury.

Mystic stream

Acrylic paint on board

I love escaping into books set in make believe places, where things are peaceful and dreamlike. I have tried to recreate that feeling of serenity, the flow. I would love to lay beside that stream. Is it sunset? Or sunrise? Your choice.

Electric sky

Acrylic paint on card

Spending time in nature is one of the things I miss most so when a storm comes I often sit and watch. The electricity is invigorating, reviving my desire to create and I have made look at this piece when I'm down to uplift me.

Second Life - A

Vintage Fabrics and Notions

The first dress is everything interesting in colour and is a combination you wouldn’t normally see. Mustard, purple and turquoise. The purple corduroy and black ric rac trim help pop out colours of the floral print. I am giving these fabrics a second life, which is indicative of my second chance at life since my accident. Sewing, designing and recycling are my favourite activities. It helps me with meditation, distraction and is part of the building blocks for my positive rehabilitation.

Second Life - B

Vintage and recyclable materials

This dress is a vintage cotton with both geometrical shapes and florals. A combination I especially like from the 70s era in fashion. I’ve used the yellow colour in the hem to match back to the subtle print. Sewing, designing and recycling are my favourite activities. It helps me with meditation, distraction and is part of the building blocks for my positive rehabilitation. I am giving these fabrics a second life, which is indicative of my second chance at life since my accident.

Strokes of Life

Acrylic paint

My favourite things.

The Satisfactions of Hardships

Graphite pencil

My favourite things.

La vie en rose

Pictures selected from internet, printed and cut to form a collage then framed

My beautiful husband David continues to shine though his wonderful collages. Despite his serious disability he has learned to create beautiful images that bring him and those who see them such joy. This piece 'La vie en rose' combines a few of his favourite things - his love of art, of jazz music and of the adventures we had and memories we cherish when we were able to travel. New Orleans was a favourite place - spending our 10 year wedding anniversary there 35 years ago. Literally seen through the tint of rose coloured glasses, reflecting optimism, fun and love.

Skating dreams

Timber skateboard (black in colour), painters tape, fluoro paints, sponge, fly swatter

My interest is skateboarding, I use to enjoy riding my board now I enjoy watching others ride. My nickname is "NEON". I created a skateboard to hang in my room. The carer used painters tape to write the word NEON ,then poured the paint on the sponge then soaked the fly swatter in the paint, my carer taped a second sponge around the handle for better grip ,then comes the fun bit, I just hit the fly swatter all over the board and kept changing colours. Once I was happy with the look my carer peeled away the tape to reveal my name known by many of my family and friends "NEON".

Happy go Lucky

Watercolour

Dylan has created a delightful painting of the beloved cartoon character Bluey. This artwork perfectly reflects Dylan’s happy-go-lucky personality and symbolises the calming nature it brings into Dylan’s life. The vibrant colours and cheerful expression of Bluey capture the essence of joy and positivity that Dylan brings to his daily life. Through this painting, he communicates his optimistic outlook and the sense of peace he finds in his artistic endeavours. It serves as a heartwarming reminder of the resilience and creativity that shine through; despite the challenges he faces.

Beat It

Acrylic paint on canvas

This artwork is about what happened to me in 2011. I was on maternity leave from my job at St Scholasticas College as the Visual Arts Coordinator and was having my first and only daughter. I gave birth to her the day after my birthday on the 23rd February and in March I decided to take my baby for a walk in the pram with my Whippet dog. I took them to Sydney Park, which is an off leash park where I had made many friends, as I wanted them to meet my daughter. On the way home, I was walking along the footpath on the Princess Hwy and a car came up on the footpath and hit all three of us. My daughter and dog got broken collarbones and I got a traumatic brain injury and ended up in a coma for 4 1/2 months. When I woke up, I couldn't talk or walk, but now I can do both. This gift has become one of my favourite things. I obviously couldn't go back to teaching, but my artwork is very meaningful, as it's about how my body although performing well, also restricts me and my life.

The 'Royal'

Canvas and acrylic paint

The Royal National Park is our backyard. Before my accident I spent many hours running and cycling through it. I would put my kayak in the salt water at my favourite spot, Reid's Flat, and kayak past the bush and rock faces and just enjoy the peace and beauty. When my children were younger we would go as a family, bushwalk, picnic and celebrate birthdays there. Now, of course I'm unable to do those physical things but I still need my regular 'Nasho fix'. Coffee at Reid's Flat and just being in the bush is what makes me happy. Now I can enjoy capturing my memories with paint. The place I've painted is called the 'Olympic Pools'.

Como

Canvas and acrylic paint

I grew up close to the river at Como. This painting is of a section of river across from Como. I grew up playing footy beside the river, did a lot of fishing and kayaking on it and spent good times with my mates at the 'Como Hilton' (Como Pub). It's a beautiful place and I love heading down there to enjoy the place and remember good times. I'll catch up with old friends and reminisce. It's a happy place for me with lots of memories that give me a chuckle. My carers now love it too and are happy to take me there to visit.

Annie

One of my favourite things to do is watch horses in their own nature playing around and in full gallop. My family has always been involved with horses in some way over the years I've been alive so they have played a big part in my life and now since becoming a quadriplegic in 2016 I've loved putting my abstract style on horses as I don’t have the finger or hand function to do realistic paintings.

Sunset silhouette

Camera, model, the good old sun

Sunsets are not the same everyday, and capturing a sunset silhouette with this amount of details would make an amazing moment even better and more memorable. It was a sudden thing. I just went to the movies with a camera and saw this on the way and captured it.

My Happy Place

Acrylic paint on canvas

I have hand raised baby birds, I have done wildlife rescue and I also love bushwalking. So surrounded by trees and birds are my favourite things. During my wildlife rescue days, I had an injured Galah in care for a long time. She was super cheeky, and once released with a local flock, she returned to visit me daily for a couple of months. My father also bought a young tame yellow tailed black cockatoo named tiger, who I love interacting with, and as she will outlive my father, she will one day become mine.

Small things

Polymer clay, resin base

My physio, Jenny, introduced me to polymer clay to improve my dexterity and improve the muscles in my hand. As a C6 quadriplegic what makes me happy is the ability to create miniature worlds where my ability would otherwise be limited. Mini creations that take hours upon hours allows me to escape from the world and delve into an infinite and endless universe that gives me the freedom and opportunity to create mini magical creatures and figurines, where the options are quite literally endless.

Fairy castle

Polymer clay

What makes me happy is the ability to escape to fast paced world and explore the mini universe in which I can create fantasy worlds while maintaining my hand use. A home for fairies, and mini adventures in which anything can happen.

Gecko

Painting

Niece and nephews Aboriginal Totem

Manly SEAEAGLE

Painting

GO MANLY SEAEAGLES!

My companion cat

HB pencil, paper, eraser, tissue for smudging.

My 2 companion cats are my whole world, I only drew one but she represents them both in this drawing. No matter what I go through I can smile knowing my cats love me unconditionally. I wanted to capture the way my companion cats make me feel with this drawing. I spent many hours every day for over a month practicing so to get the details and expression just right! I feel like I captured the adoration I feel from my cats in this image. I included a crochet/knit sleeve because I love to crochet to relax.

Joy and peace

This photo is something that means peace and happiness. Liam loves fishing as it is calm and not overwhelming for him while out fishing one day he captured this photo - perfect picture that describes Liam's most peaceful happiness place in one photo.

Sunset

This photo speaks for itself. Natural beauty in one shot. Liam loves photography and seems to capture nature at its finest. Calming beautiful natural photo.

African Golden sunset

Watercolour

Art has become a profound medium of expression for Marco. Through his vibrant paintings of African animals and beautiful sunset, he connects deeply with his roots, as he was born in Africa and often recalls the African language. These artworks not only showcase his talent but also symbolise cherished memories and cultural heritage that remain special to him. Despite his challenges, he finds solace and identity in this creative process, making it an integral part of his journey and a testament to his resilience.

Beach Blue

Watercolour

Art has become a profound medium of expression for Marco. Through his vibrant paintings of African animals and beautiful sunset, he connects deeply with his roots, as he was born in Africa and often recalls the African language. These artworks not only showcase his talent but also symbolise cherished memories and cultural heritage that remain special to him. Despite his challenges, he finds solace and identity in this creative process, making it an integral part of his journey and a testament to his resilience.

Foxy the Pirate Fox

Texta on particleboard

One of my favourite things is to create art. If I couldn't, I would feel sad and lost. I am inspired by Animatronics and like to come up with my own 'take' on existing ideas. I really like Foxy because the character had a bad past, but overcame it, just like me. I also liked using particleboard when I was drawing Foxy - it felt better than drawing on paper.

Princess Luna Hybrid Fantasy

Texta on paper

I am also inspired by the "My Little Pony" series and can't imagine life without "My Little Pony". I wanted to create a hybrid of one of the "My Little Pony" characters, Princess Luna, so that she was part-human, part-pony. I feel like Princess Luna is mysterious and belongs in a fantasy, and I tried to make her look a bit 3D. Princess Luna is like a mother-figure who actually cares, which is something I didn't have. I feel like while I got my ideas from watching and reading "My Little Pony" I put my own spin on it.

The Ocean (Category Winner)

Juxtaposition…. Paper, acrylic paint

It heals me everyday in every way…

My Son

Acrylic paint, gold leaf

My angel … watching a Willy wag tail hatch An 8c stamp to remember the age he was when I lost him My son … my angel … Willy wag tail.. my spirit animal … Because it dances and plays all day ….golden butterflies 🦋

Gorgeous ducks next to a colourful bridge

The 2 ducks are on a journey of self discovery and wonderment. Seeing the beauty in life.

An amazing view of waterfall with surrounding nature

Calming, relaxing and soothing. Even my case manager has it as her screen saver.

To the top of the Tower

100% cotton

On the day returning from 128 days of post trauma amnesia my first and foremost memory picture was about the night of running hill repeats from 2am. My running was not Olympian, however, I was a fit guy who had a lifetime of sporting involvements. My art submission is on sports involvement, the significance of dedication and courage that is on show at the Paris Olympics and their individual and teams Climb to the top of their Tower in their chosen sports.

Fashionable woodwork

Wood

I love making things, I found that I have a great eye for woodwork and I just get it. This necklace holder was gifted to my case manager cause she was in the market looking for one and I wanted to be the person that made it for her. I am stoked about how it turned out.

Scents of a room

Paint and accessories

I am working on using my right hand more, so by steadying the diffuser with my right hand, I paint with my left. I am getting some movement and this makes me excited and then my room smells beautiful at the same time.

Making mum happy - colourful coasters

I was encouraged by my case manager to make more of these. She loved the colours. So I made more, put them on the tables everywhere and no stains on tables and mum is happy. My case manager requested some and she tells me she loves them and it keeps her table clean too. Making these made me have to think how to put them together and then physically make sure they fit together.

Family Hearts

Plywood craft wood cloud shape, timber hearts. Rope, stickers, blue and white paint, balloons filled with water and a sponge

My interest is my family they are my everything I love it when they come to visit me. I tied a balloon to my toe and filled it with water then soaked balloon in blue paint and used my kicking leg to bounce the balloon on the timber pieces then repeated with white paint. We then assembled it with some rope and glue gun and used stickers to name all my family members.

The Highland cow

Diamond dot artistry

I am a born and bred Tamworth girl. Being in the country with my family surrounded by nature is my favourite thing to do, this diamond dot painting of the highland cow reminds me of this. Since my accident, completing diamond dot art pieces has become my sanctuary and favourite activity. I go into my office, away from my carers and relax as I complete beautiful pieces. Diamond dot art has also been my favourite form of upper limb rehabilitation and it has helped improve my fine motor coordination.

The Barbeque Party

Black and pen and coloured pencils

Art is one of my favourite things. Before my accident, I studied art in my home country of China. Art is very important to me as I have continued drawing after my accident. The BBQ party shows me visiting my cousin's house in Australia. I love to go with my dad to visit my cousin, his wife and children. Sometimes there are lots of people at my cousin's house. It feels like a party when we all eat together and watch anime TV. I have drawn myself and my cousins as anime characters as it is lots of fun to watch and to draw in bright colours. I love to eat many different types of food and enjoyed drawing in detail some of my favourites. I especially enjoy sweet things and have drawn little cakes that my cousin's wife makes when we visit, she is so clever. I like junk food and have drawn burgers and a steak as this is my dad's favourite food.

The Happy Luna Park

Black and white pen and coloured pencils

Drawing is one of my favourite things. I studied art in China before my accident and loved to draw anime. This is important to me as I have continued to draw after my accident. In this work I have drawn myself in bright and fun colours and wish that I could have pink hair. Fun parks are one of my favourite places and are filled with good memories for me. When I lived in China, I enjoyed fun parks with my family and rollercoaster rides with my sisters and brother. Luna Park is a unique fun park in Australia. After I left hospital, my whole family and I went to Luna Park together, but I could not go on the rides. I now live in Australia with my dad and he takes me to Luna Park with my cousins. I ride the rollercoaster again with them. I drew the soft animal toys and jack-in-the-box that my cousins won playing games there.

Everything is Possible (Overall Winner - Shine Arts Prize)

Charcoal pencil and acrylic paint

Perry Cross is a very inspirational and motivational human being, he reminds me everyday that a life with disability is a life worth living. He has gone above and beyond, proving to everyone that you can still have goals and dreams and pursue them even if your life takes a path you never expected. Surrounding myself with people who motivate me is one of my favourite things as it helps me to stay positive and remember that with determination, everything is possible....

REBIRTH

Modelling pasta, acrylic paint, canvas

After being unconscious for several months, I woke up and found: my body was disabled, my brain was injured, and I was in great pain. My husband told me a mythology: In the desert of western land, a giant bird, burns fragrant woods, jumps into the fire, flies up, and is reborn from the fire every five hundred years. I intend to paint to express my feelings: I wish all sufferers of disasters will get rebirth and rise again. My favorite thing is Phoenix. The paint is named: REBIRTH.

Whimsical Felted fairy playmat

roving wool and wire

Isla made this felted fairy playmat set with two accompanying fairies and a unicorn. The set features a tranquil river, fairy toadstool and a footbridge which crosses over to a quaint little fairy hut. She used the needle felting technique, which she self taught herself and the artwork is inspired purely by Isla's imagination! She wanted to create a magical world of all of the things that make her heart happy, and to inspire happiness in others who see it. She has made a several other felted fairies and given them out to special people she interacts with, to spread the joy of her favourite things! (One of Isla's fairies is a 'not for sale' item in our local fairy shop, and treasured by the owner)

Felted fairies and unicorn (Category Winner)

roving wool and wire

Soft floating felted fairies and unicorn. The accompanying play-mat includes a flowing stream with footbridge and a little fairy hut.

Sea Life Aquarium

Watercolour paints

My favourite thing is my fish tank. I chose to paint an underwater scene like it. It has colourful fish, a shark and a house the fish can hide away in from the shark. My painting reminds me of my visit to the Sydney Aquarium on a school excursion last year. I loved it!