By Abbey Cannan
Queensland’s largest open studio art trail is set to delight Noosa locals and visitors from 1-9 October, as 117 artists unlock the doors to their private studios.
Noosa Open Studios Art Trail is an opportunity to be creatively inspired by painters, ceramicists, mixed media artists and other artisans, whilst driving through the picturesque shire of Noosa, discovering back roads and hidden treasures in this wonderful corner of the world.
Whilst there, you can learn about the artists’ creative processes, see their work and perhaps even make an art investment to call your own.
Now in its seventh year, this is the biggest event yet.
One local artist who has been thrilled to watch the event grow over time is Michele Knightley from Boreen Point.
She’s been taking part in the art trail since they kicked off in 2016 with just 39 artists.
“My whole art practice is about nature,” Michele said.
“I get inspired by walking out the front door. I do a lot of paintings of Cooloola National Park and I particularly like native plants. I’ve got big canvases with native scenery and then I’ve also got small things that I do like little wildflower portraits and all sorts of different mediums.”
Her gorgeous eco-studio at 34 Woongar Street, Boreen Point was constructed by a local builder out of local spotted gum and recycled timber.
It has no power as she prefers to work during the day to get the best colours.
“My studio is on the edge of the lake and it’s a nice place to visit anyway, let alone for Open Studios,” she said.
“I really would like people to appreciate the natural beauty that we have in Noosa. We’re so lucky and we really need to preserve what’s left of the natural environment.”
Her parents were potters, and she has lived in the Noosa Shire since moving to Tewantin at the age of ten.
Michele’s first exhibition was at the Eumundi Tea House while she was still at school, and she went on to spend 20 years selling her pottery at Eumundi markets.
When she had kids she switched mediums as the pottery was “too breakable”, so she moved into painting and paper-based work with her eco-dying and Lino prints.
Michele sells her beautiful cards and prints at Pomona Landcare and Pomona Gallery, Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre and at the Noosa National Park store.
“Life without art would be a bit boring I think,” Michele said.
“I think everyone loves it, but some don’t know it yet. Once they buy their first piece, and come home after work to a beautiful piece of art hanging on the wall, it just makes you feel like you’re at home. It’s a personalisation of your space.”
Her work is making patients at Sunshine Coast University Hospital feel like they’re at home, after she was commissioned to create 17 large prints.
“I’ve had some feedback from people who have been in the hospital and seen my paintings and they’ve contacted me,” Michele said.
“I had one young lady from Caloundra who had her first baby and she said ‘I just spent 12 hours staring at your picture while I was in labour and now I want to buy one’. So it was nice that she wanted it as a memento of her birth.”
Michele’s studio will be open 10am – 4pm from October 1-9 at 34 Woongar Street, Boreen Point 4565. Street parking available.
View all 117 artists over five trails and start planning your trip to Noosa Open Studios 2022 at noosaopenstudios.com.au/art-trail-guide/
For more information on Michele’s art call 0437 479 872, email micheleknightley@gmail.com or visit micheleknightleyartist.com
