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Janet Stevenson is another of my lovely local blog followers and owns and curates the Manly Gallery located in Brisbane's bayside. It's a space that I've been meaning to visit and with an upcoming French inspired exhibition, entitled "Rendezvous", opening on November 12th, it's probably the right time.
I asked Janet some questions that she has kindly answered. Read on:
Tell us about the Manly Gallery?
The Manly Gallery celebrates its 18th year in business this month. We are situated in the main street of Manly, behind the famous Fish Café restaurant and we have a bird's eye view of the Manly Boat Harbour - a picture perfect location. I am the second owner and have been the gallery director for 9 1/2 years looking after 60 full-time artists.
What is your artistic/professional background?
All the time, I get asked "if I paint" - people often ask me which painting I have done and if it is hanging on the walls of the gallery. I was pretty horrified the first time I was asked and replied with "the only thing I paint is my fingernails!" not the most intelligent reply but seriously I don't have a formal artistic background.
I simply have a love of art and if you have a passion, I guess this all comes together naturally. I had an extensive background in the corporate world, so I guess this enabled me the background to manage a business.
"A Good Drop" - painting by Christine Reilly (part of Rendezvous exhibit)
Artist Christine Reilly
How do you source the pieces you exhibit?
Luckily, I have a firm stable of very professional artists, they keep me updated at all times with new works and then I choose my preference and what I think will suit our gallery and customers. Once sold, they are replaced or if unsold after 3 months, we refresh with new works. Nearly all of my artists visit the gallery and we discuss each piece.
"Spring Flowering" by Jeanette Morris
"Sunday Afternoon Moorings" by Geoff Hale.
Are the arts displayed done by local artists?
Yes, all of my artists live and work in Queensland, particularly South East Queensland although we have one or two artists that now reside in New South Wales but we love having them at the gallery regardless.
"Don't Pull Rudi" a collage with feathers and other objects by Audrey Raymond.
What is the best thing about what you do?
Being totally involved in the wonderful world of art which encompasses many mediums. I also love decorating and strive to always make the gallery look the best it can look at all times - constantly looking, tweeking and ensuring the artworks (including sculpture, glassworks, etc.) have the opportunity to look their best when displayed.
Of course, my wonderful customers are amazing and my very loyal artists and their dedication is also rewarding.
Would you share something interesting about you that isn't common knowledge?
Gosh, you ask interesting? Well, I just love to roller skate at any opportunity I can - I love nothing better than to zoom around the rink.
That's fun, thank's Janet. Visit Janet's blog Art Gallery by the Bay.
Images are courtesy of the Manly Gallery.
How much fun is it meeting your blog friends "in the flesh"? On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa Colburn (on left) of IF Design when she popped into the studio to have a look at our natural fabrics and other goodies. Here's a sneak peek of more lampshades. We are having so much fun with these.
Lisa is an interior designer with an impressive portfolio, who specialises in working with natural and environmentally-friendly materials. She has only recently started writing a blog so do share the love over at Natural Modern Interiors.
I'm looking forward to Lisa's future interior design workshops and to meeting more of you on Saturday.
PS.. My bad hair has since been corrected with a sassy new haircut :)
I meet the nicest people in my workshops and I love hearing from past participants who continue screen-printing at home.
So thank you to Larissa Cowling who you met here, for emailing me these pics this morning of her Pear tea-towels. Fruity prints seem to be popular. The printed overlay is quite effective and sampling is such an important part of design development.
See you on Saturday, Larissa!
Sorry if you were hoping to join our December screen-printing workshop. I only added the date to the website yesterday but it sold out within 24 hours - that's a new record!
I will be able to teach more students per class in our new, bigger studio next year with the assistance of my new sidekick. I will introduce her to you at a later date...
Ange (on right) and her family drove all the way from the Gold Coast to see how we screen-print our fabrics. Many of you will know Ange from her Chair Up blog. This lady does amazing furniture makeovers so do visit.
The lovely Angela and Justine are both former screen-printing students of mine who now print at home in their spare time.
Julie and her delightful daughter.
The Hydrangea print lampshade you see in this photo was sold on Saturday (thanks Allyson!) so I didn't get a chance to do a before and after transformation on my vintage lampstand (bought on eBay) but never mind, I will get another one made to show you soon.
The day allowed us to try a new colourway for our Peacock Party design. Red on hemp/organic cotton. Do you like? We have been dying to do a teal print too as requested by some. Soon, soon. 
And finally but not least, one of our sweet visitors makes these adorable hand-made toys so I insisted that she grab them from her car to show us.
Toy creator Lisa McKay of Livewell Farm Crafts doesn't have a website yet but you may contact her directly on 0403 132 416 to enquire or to order.
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