Tucked away in the Yallingup hills acclaimed artist Lesley Meaney will open her home for this year's Margaret River Region Open Studios event which kicks off on September 12, 2020.
It will be the fourth time the award winning artist has exhibited her diverse collection of work in the event.
"I am excited, very much, I like meeting people and I quite like witnessing people's responses to my work," she said.
"It is not always positive, but you do tend to remember the positive ones rather than the not so positive ones."
The accomplished artist finished her education in the UK where she spent four years at art school, then went onto teach and complete a post graduate course at university.
"They were advertising for art specialists in Australia I thought it would be quite nice to come and get a sun tan," she said.
"After a couple of years I met my Australian husband then that was it, we are still here."
Represented by Gunyulgup Galleries, Ms Meaney's work has featured in galleries around Western Australia, Fiji and the UK and has won many prestigious art awards.
"My work is diverse, I know for a lot of artists their work is easily recognisable," she said.
"I don't know whether mine is or not, you cannot see it from outside.
"To me art is a challenge and a form of communication, once I feel I have communicated what I want to do then I think I will go and communicate something else.
"In many ways I think I am a sponge in my own environment, there are many triggers and you just don't know where influences or triggers come from all the time.
"It is just a gut feeling.
"Because most of my practice has been involved in having solo exhibition and each solo exhibition has had a different theme.
"Whether that's a narrative or whether it is describing a particular place or feeling, then when I feel I have done my best or mastered that then I instinctively look for something else as a problem solving task."
In November 2019, Ms Meaney presented a 50 year survey at the Holmes a Court Gallery in West Perth where she launched her book Lesley Meaney Becoming Australian an Artist's Journey.
"I would love to sell copies of the book because everything will go to children's brain cancer research," she said.
"We have a grandson who was diagnosed at four years old, he is now six, it is terminal but he is doing quite well at the moment.
"Our family in Geelong are trying to give him as many experiences as possible and have a family life."
Related content
More than 100 artists from Busselton to Witchcliffe are making final preparations to open their studios, in next month's Margaret River Region Open Studios.
Chairman Jim Davies said there was a definite sense of excitement among participating artists in the lead up to the event which will run from September 12 to 27.
"New works have been created, art workshops are being planned and there is a really positive energy," he said.
"Having more time leading up to the event hasn't allowed our artists to rest on their laurels, in fact it seems to have had the opposite effect.
"Artists have been busy creating. Some have been influenced by the impact of COVID-19, others have turned to nature or to environmental themes of re-purposing and sustainability, and others to life's simple pleasures.
"A number of artists are planning small-group workshops for children, novices, amateur artists and those with more experience.
"Across the board we are all grateful for the opportunity to be able to stage our event this year welcome visitors from across WA to share our passion for artistic pursuits and the Margaret River Region.
"They will be in for a treat," he said.
To find out who is participating, view studio details, maps and opening times more visit mrropenstudios.com.au and download the updated event guide to your phone, iPad or laptop.
