Flourishing Through Experimentation
As winter settles in here in Melbourne, I’ve been reflecting on how much of life lately seems to revolve around experimentation.
Not dramatic reinventions or sudden breakthroughs, but the quieter kind of experimentation that asks us to stay curious, remain open and keep taking small steps forward even when the outcome is uncertain.
Much of that has been true in my health journey.
Living with Long Covid and ME/CFS continues to require careful pacing and ongoing adaptation. Recently I’ve been trialling some new treatments, including a series of Stellate Ganglion Blocks, while continuing to explore ways of improving my quality of life and daily functioning.
As many people living with chronic illness know, there are rarely guarantees. Progress is often measured in subtle changes rather than dramatic transformations, and patience becomes its own practice.
At the same time, that spirit of experimentation has also been finding its way into my creative work.
Over recent months I’ve felt drawn towards quieter, more spacious compositions and have been exploring new techniques in the studio. I’ve been experimenting with exposed linen surfaces, allowing areas of the natural canvas to remain visible rather than covering every space with paint and texture.
This shift has encouraged me to think differently about composition, light and restraint. Instead of asking what more can be added, I’ve found myself asking what can be left untouched.
Alongside these explorations, I’ve recently completed a new artwork titled Nerissa.
Inspired by the sea and its quiet luminosity, Nerissa embraces softness, layered colour and gentle movement, inviting a sense of calm and contemplation. Creating it challenged me to trust simplicity, allowing space and atmosphere to become as important as the painted elements themselves.
In many ways, the piece reflects where I find myself creatively at the moment — increasingly drawn to light, stillness, memory and the emotional resonance of place.
Another recent highlight was receiving the news that two of my artworks have been selected for the 2026 Camberwell Art Show.
This will be my second consecutive year exhibiting in the show, making the selection especially meaningful. The Camberwell Art Show has a long history of supporting artists and showcasing a diverse range of contemporary works, with selected entries exhibited across painting, drawing, photography, sculpture and mixed media.
This year’s exhibition will run from 4–12 July 2026 at Carey Baptist Grammar School, Jeffrey O Thomas Quadrangle, 349 Barkers Road, Kew.
As artists, we spend countless hours creating quietly behind the scenes without knowing where the work may lead. Having two pieces selected feels both encouraging and affirming, particularly during a season when much of my energy has also been directed towards managing my health.
If you’re based in Melbourne and planning a visit to the exhibition, I’d love for you to keep an eye out for my work among the many talented artists on display.
When I look back over the past few months, I can see a common thread connecting many aspects of life.
Trying new treatments.
Exploring new techniques.
Creating new artwork.
Submitting work for exhibition.
None of these paths come with certainty.
Yet each one begins with a willingness to remain open to possibility.
Perhaps that’s what flourishing looks like for me right now.
Not arriving at a destination or having all the answers, but continuing to create, explore and grow in whatever ways are available.
Thank you for following along on this journey and for supporting my work. Whether you’ve visited an exhibition, collected a piece, shared a kind word, or simply taken the time to read these updates, your encouragement means more than you know.
Warmly,
Mary