Grove spec-cat-ular

FELINE fanciers will be feline fine if they paws at a certain art studio for this year’s Bellarine Arts Trail.

A truly spec-cat-ular art exhibition has been planned as part of local artist Adie McDermott’s open studio in Parma Crescent, Ocean Grove for the arts trail next Saturday and Sunday (November 1 and 2).

As well as producing and selling her own distinctive art, Adie is well-known as a teacher, creative project producer, mentor and life coach. She is also the author and editor of two international bestsellers Lead with Love and The Creative Life Book.

As part of her mixed media art classes for adults, a particular purr-diliction appeared in the last couple of terms’ of work and Adie realised she had discovered the purrfect theme for this year’s open studio.

The studio will feature artwork by the artist herself, as well as a colourful catalogue from her students who are busy working on transferring their love of all things feline to canvases, cards, bookmarks and other surprises, which hopefully will delight art lovers.

“I use a unique blend of skill development, guidance and freedom in my classes,” Adie said.

“It is just incredible to see what is produced when students finally get the idea that there is no perfection needed here and no wrong or right way of doing things.

“I so love to watch these adults, some of whom are adamant that they have no artistic talent, blossom as they rediscover their imaginations and creativity.”

Among the student display will be work by two of Adie’s students who are hoping to use the open studio to launch themselves into the world of artistic feline fanciers.

Student Faith Pigott describes herself as a “lover of anything creepy”, a mixed media artist, illustrator and crafter.

Faith will be displaying her goth and fan art featuring cats, bats, dark moonlit skies, metallic elements and the colour purple.

Fellow feline fancier and Adie mentee, Mandy Oakham, hopes to launch a small business called Under Her Paw and describes her interpretation of these creatures as “crazy, quirky and a little bit magical”.

“The Egyptians worshipped cats as gods and I think they were right on the money,” Mandy said.

“I have lived with cats all my life and have never met the same cat twice.”

Adie’s open studio, including the great spec-cat-ular, will be open from 10am to 4pm at 10 Parma Crescent, Ocean Grove.

There will be art making demonstrations throughout both days.

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