The exhibition encompasses many possibilities of what still life could be defined by.
From paintings, to printmaking, to sculptures, to pottery, artists crafted different pieces for the art genre.
“I know that [the artists] find peace in doing still life and being with [the other] women,” Fonda said.
The former president of Arts Gunnedah said getting together changed what is usually done in solitary for many to a connected activity.
While often not a productive amount of art was completed while gathered, the inspiration often carried after meetings to when creations were made.
Despite being the one to encourage artists to join in the exhibition, Fonda was initially not a fan of still life.
It was artist Maree Kelly who inspired her to reluctantly take the leap.
“I was going through a really difficult time in my life, and I went to one of Maree Kelly’s workshops to learn oil painting, something that I hadn’t done before,” she said.
She was encouraged by Maree to give still life a go.
“I just looked at her like, ‘really? That’s really boring’,” Fonda said.
Despite that, she tried her hand at still life with a painting of hydrangeas and the oranges while staying at the Blue Mountains.
“I hadn’t won any awards as an adult,” Fonda said.
“[Maree] encouraged me to go in the Frost Over Barraba, and I won the novice section for still life.”
She explained what she loved about the genre.
“When there’s chaos everywhere, I can set up some flowers, and they’re usually flowers that I’ve grown as well … and that helps me to focus on what’s there and try to forget everything else,” she said.
Gunnedah ‘born and bred’ Lyn Pratt describes herself as mainly a floral artist who works in watercolour, acrylic along with pen and wash.
“This exhibition suits me to the ground,” she said. “I love doing still lifes and flowers. That will probably be the thing that I like doing most,” she said.
Lyn had always wanted to be an artist, and after finishing school in year 10, her eyes were set on studying art at Sydney Tech. Unfortunately, her parents thought Lyn was too young so she went down the path of hairdressing.
“I took [art] up again later, particularly, probably in the last 10 years and I am really enjoying it,” Lyn said.
“I am loving being with this lovely group of women. We’ve had so much fun.
“I think we’re going to continue just having a little get together.”
Her artist’s statement had mentioned her love for bright colours and particularly pink and vibrant hues. That description complements her many artworks currently hanging at the exhibition.
Kristie Farquhar predominantly works with watercolour, printmaking and drawing.
Her passion for art stems from childhood, recalling loving art, but high school studies was when she truly began to connect with it.
She found inspiration while travelling and witnessing arts of many but she also finds inspiration in the local area.
“Fauna, flora, anything really. It can be the simplest thing. Really simple objects [can be] perfect for still life,” Kristie said.
Those who have seen her work at the gallery will notice predominantly floral artworks in vases, but she uses a variety of mediums to create her works with drawing, printing and painting being her favourites.
Different from the paintings and prints hung on the gallery’s walls are Jenny Mathews’ pottery.
“I’ve been doing [pottery] for about 10 years,” she said. “I started doing it as a hobby, and I am still doing it as a hobby.”
Despite that, this is her first exhibition where her name is a part of the program.
Jenny described her love for crafting with clay.
“I just find pottery is good for your mindset,” she said.
“If you have any worries on your mind, you can go and do pottery and walk away totally relaxed.
“And I love playing in mud.”
Among her works included an inspired 17th century still life with a skull and feather along with other independent works of bowls and vases.
Her work even influenced one of Fonda’s pieces, with a pot on display at the gallery also being featured in a fittingly named painting, ‘Jenny’s Pot’.
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