If Heather Wellington had to describe her style of art, she’d tell you she couldn’t.
Displayed on the walls of the Motofinish Café in Rushworth are two-years’ worth of Mrs Wellington’s artwork in styles ranging from pen-drawn sketches to pastel and acrylic paintings, and even textile work.
Mrs Wellington is a Rushworth resident and usually spends her time in and around town on various committees for festivals that run throughout the year.
At Christmas, she donates her time to manifesting festive spirit through contributing decorations that feature on High St.
But for the past 27 years, her spare time has been spent in her studio, using anything and everything to bring her creative vision to life.
“I love embroidery, so I’ve been combining embroidery with painting and multimedia textile,” she said.
One embroidered piece titled ‘Dancing Dragon’ demonstrates the depths of her creativity.
In the piece, she uses the base of a silk cocoon, which has a lacey texture, for the detail of the dragon’s scales.
It’s the second time she has held an exhibition of this calibre in Rushworth, and the first time in two years.
The reason? Her art studio was too full.
“In about December last year I thought I might have an exhibition this year,” she said.
“Most of the pieces I’ve had around a little while, and I’ve just touched them up.”
The second time she’s displayed her work in the Motofinish Cafe, she said she wanted to return because it is a win-win situation for the cafe and herself.
“If people want to view a bit of art, they’ll come and buy a coffee and some food, or if they come in here for a coffee, they’ll see my work - so it works both ways,” she said.
In just three days, she’s sold 10 pieces of art, ranging from large landscape pieces to small, framed prints.
The pieces she does not sell will be repurposed.
She will reuse the frames, which she acquires through her work in the Rushworth Op Shop, donate some pieces to be included in raffles for the bowlers club, or give away the canvases to be used by the kids at Rushworth Kindergarten & Child Care.
“I give them away because they’re not much use to me, and they take up too much space in my little studio,” Mrs Wellington said.
The pieces will be on display and available for purchase in the Motofinish Café Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm, until September 22.