Caroline Lawrey

My creative journey began in Aireys Inlet, Victoria, where I discovered that art offered far more than a new hobby—it opened the door to seeing the world in an entirely different way.

After a rewarding career in local government and the corporate sector, I found myself wondering what life would look like beyond the professional roles that had shaped so much of my identity. Looking back, perhaps the answer had always been there in the countless hours I spent doodling on notebooks and meeting papers.

As a mature-aged student, I picked up a pencil at a local community centre, and in many ways it felt like reconnecting with the curiosity and joy of childhood. Drawing encouraged me to slow down, observe more carefully, and challenge what I thought I knew. Learning about light, shadow, colour, and the subtle relationship between soft and hard edges completely changed the way I looked at the world. Everyday scenes became full of beauty, detail and possibility, and from that moment my artistic journey truly began.

My work is inspired by the simple act of noticing—seeing colours more vividly, appreciating changing light, and finding interest in the details that are so often overlooked. Art has taught me to be present, curious and open to continual learning.

One of the comments I hear most often is, "I can't draw—I can only manage stick figures." I always smile because I understand that feeling. Creating artwork that you're truly happy with takes time, patience and practice, but I genuinely believe creativity exists within all of us. When we allow ourselves to explore it without judgement, we unlock a richer and more rewarding way of experiencing the world.

We are often our own harshest critics, so my advice is simple—be curious, give it a go, and allow yourself the freedom to create. You may be surprised by where the journey takes you.