By Luke Voogt
The artists of James Street Gallery are busily creating work celebrating “the love of life” for Geelong’s Journey of Extraordinary Encounters.
Leaves, pets, animals, insects and plants will hang in a ‘window garden’ at the gallery, which has provided a space for artists with disabilities since 1997.
“Our job is to work alongside the artists to bring out their best work,” gallery manager Teresa Lawrence said.
“They love having their work displayed, and they love it when people come in and talk to them about their work – and buy it.”
The artists have been working for months on the project for The Journey of Extraordinary Encounters digital arts trail, which is part of Geelong Design Week, beginning March 18.
They will also join forces with Bellarine Peninsula mural painter Sai Neoh, known as Bonsai, in a fortnight to transform an outdoor wall of the gallery.
“They’re very excited about that part of the project,” Ms Lawrence said.
Among the artists is Manuella Bortoletto, who uses pens and markers to create layers of ink, text and paint in her distinctive circular images.
Fellow artist Jamie Connelly works on more delicate pieces with pencil, markers and print.
She recently created a portrait of escaped English convict William Buckley, famous for living among Geelong’s Aboriginal communities in the 1800s, for Queenscliff’s Low Light Festival in June.
Relative gallery newcomer Brooke Mitchell favours distinctive mark-making to create her stem and leaf motifs.
She shows her versatility working in several mediums including papier mache, drawing, paint and pen.
