A CELEBRATION of a young artist\u2019s work so far is on display at the Bendigo Visitor Centre until Sunday, 12 September.<\/p>\n
Twenty-three-year-old Dja Dja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson said she is really excited to see her first solo exhibition, Journey<\/em>, on show the Living Arts Space.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s incredible to see it all up and just have a room full of my artwork,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Nelson said the exhibition was announced two-and-a-half-months ago and she completed the 19 pieces in that time while balancing full-time work.<\/p>\n The result is a bright collection of artworks ranging in scale from canvas to Nike sneakers, with the young artist employing traditional techniques and vivid colours.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a perfectionist so I was constantly like, I need to touch up this or I need to do this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cI had a hard time warming up to it all until I\u2019d seen it all hung up and then fell in love with it. It looks so much better hung up on a wall rather than in my hallway.\u201d<\/p>\n Nelson draws on inspiration from the natural landscapes of Central Victoria and uses techniques developed over four years of painting, with native animals a big feature.<\/p>\n She said the title of the exhibition relates to her growth as an artist and her \u201cend goal\u201d is to one day make art her full-time job.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve always loved the idea of having artwork as my main job, it\u2019s just incredible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n