Join exhibiting artist Alexandra Mills as she shows us that not all banksias look like May Gibbs' big bad banksia men and many are particularly beautiful. They can also be fun to draw with very simple materials such as charcoal, pencils and ink.

Using the exhibition as a reference, this workshop will encourage participants to look hard at examples of the banksias that are endemic to the Sydney harbour region and then experiment with their features to make interesting drawings and perhaps provide ideas for other artworks.

Suitable for ages 10 and up. Adults welcome.

No previous drawing experience needed. Basic materials will be provided.

Booking essential as places are limited.

The Artist

Alexandra Mills is a Sydney-based artist working in mixed media sculpture and drawing. She has Bachelor of Fine Art and Master of Fine Art degrees from the National Art School, Sydney.

Since graduating in 2020 she has had two solo exhibitions and has participated in several curated and invited group exhibitions.

Alex is currently in residence at North Sydney Council’s Ridge Street Studios and previously has held residencies at Northern Beaches Council’s Avalon Creative Space and Les Sculptures Refusées at Q Station, Manly.

Her work often combines 2D and 3D media using materials such as wire, timber and textiles in drawings and reused found materials to evoke the character of subject matter. She has undertaken several research-based projects related to a particular location or a historical person or place. Her recent projects have been based on archival and museum collections, historic sites, and family artefacts.

Her work is held in the collection of the National Art School as well as private collections in Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA.

About Nutcote

Nutcote is the historic harbourside home of May Gibbs (1877-1969), Australia’s foremost children’s author and illustrator and best known today for her iconic story, The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot & Cuddlepie.

Nutcote is located in Sydney’s Neutral Bay, visitors can enjoy the house museum, shop and cafe surrounded by delightful gardens.

Contact the host of Big Bad Beautiful: Drawing Banksias at Nutcote Workshop