Dodgy Melbourne: Solo Exhibition

 

As part of the VAS Imprint 'What Remains', my solo exhibition explores the back streets, the alleys, quirky places and buildings, all found in our wonderful city of Melbourne. Using recycled paper created from my discarded and rejected artworks, I have drawn a series of works in ink exploring these hidden (and no so hidden) spots all around Melbourne and suburbs.

Join me on opening night, Thursday 16 April from 6pm. Come visit the show any time from 15 - 26 April at the Victorian Artist Society, 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne.

I am also offering a 2 day workshop, 'Paper Remains' on 16 and 17 April, where you will have the opportunity to meet The Pulp Professor from Dodgy Paper and create your own recycled paper.
I will explore with you the techniques of drawing onto your bespoke paper using inks, pencils and marker pens. Turn your old paper art into something new and unique.
Workshop places are limited, so contact VAS via the link below and book soon!

@victorianartistssociety
@dodgy.paper

 

George Hicks Foundation Contemporary Exhibition - now on show!

 Discover a fresh perspective on art at the VAS George Hicks Foundation Contemporary Exhibition currently on show at the Frater, Hammond and McCubbin Galleries in the Victorian Artists Society buildings, 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne. 11-22 February.

The Exhibition Opening 'Spritz' is this Sunday, February 15 (bring your Valentine!) at 2pm. Check out online HERE.

My entry is a small oil on cradled board entitled 'Fibonacchi Fun'. One of my few excursions into this medium.

 'Fibonacchi Fun' Oil on Cradled board by Linda Weil ©2026

'Golden Bird' gets a new home!

 My goodness! January is nearly over already! It has been a busy month, not the least being a very successful and enjoyable week at Camp Creative in Bellingen, NSW (you can read about it all on my instagram pages @lindaweilfineart)

As well, classes for 2026 have resumed. Monday evening classes at VAS are fully booked - wait list available for term 2. 

 MMAG Thursday afternoon class (1.30-3.30pm) has 2 places available. The Thursday evening class at MMAG is wide open! Please, if you are interested in joining me for evening drawing sessions have a look at this 7.30 - 9.30 pm class. Open to all levels of experience and you will be warmly welcomed by the regulars. For further information on MMAG's classes contact them by email: mmag@mentone-mordiallocartgroup.org.au or phone 0499778258 and leave a voice mail and they will get back to you.

In other news, my favourite hairdresser, Ricky has opened up a bespoke salon here in Cheltenham (231 Charman Road, Cheltenham). This guy knows how to cut hair! AON HairbyRicky He also knows a thing or two about art - his mother is Mary Slevin  is a highly regarded artist in Ireland. And Ricky decided to purchase a piece of my art to adorn the walls of his new studio!

So drop into AON, make an appointment with Ricky and view 'The Golden Bird' on the wall while you enjoy the massage chairs at the wash station!

 

'The Golden Bird' based on the Grimm fairy tale. Graphite and colour pencil ©Linda Weil 

 

In other exhibition news, the VAS Summer Exhibition is now on, opening 'Summer Gelato Party' this Sunday, 1 February at 2pm. Come join me at 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne in the Hammond, Frater & McCubbin Galleries where my work 'Ursus Gutta' is on show! (Latin for Drop Bear). Come along and say hello - hope to see you there.

 'Ursus Gutta' Graphite/colour pencil on tea stained paper ©Linda Weil 

Classes 2026

As the year winds to a close, it is time to think about booking your drawing class for next year! As usual, I will be teaching two classes at Mentone Mordialloc art group on Thursdays (1.30 - 3.30pm and 7.30 - 9.30pm) and one class at the Victorian Artist Society on Mondays, 4 - 6.30pm.

The theme for first term will be 'Drawing Practice' and will focus primarily on graphite pencil as we refresh key elements like line, shape, space, texture, tone, shading, composition and perspective. Each week builds on the previous, beginning with rapid gestural drawing in line and culminating in refined tonal work.

All classes currently have limited available space - book early to avoid disappointment!

Contact:
VAS
MMAG

And a little something completed as a demonstration work in last nights class at MMAG under our 'People and the Sea' theme:

'Sunny Boy' 2025© Linda Weil 

59th Annual Whitehorse Art show

 I love a good story!
The 59th annual Whitehorse Art show opens on 13 Nov until 16 Nov - I have put in 5 of my 'inspired by' drawings into the show. Influenced by either Grimm Fairy tales or the works of Alan Garner. All created using graphite, water soluble graphite and colour pencils on 300gsm paper:
1. Grimm: The Singing Bone
2. Garner: The Morthbrood
3. Garner: Thin Armen
4. Garner: The Fiddler
5. Garner: The Wildhunt (Einheriear)

There is a grand opening on Wednesday night, click the link below for more information
Venue: Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria
@whitehorseartshow

 

 

I'm back!

 I have returned after a wonderful 3 weeks in the UK, visiting my friend Mike Sibley in Yorkshire and a full week in London touring galleries, museums, historic sites and the rest. Nothing brings home to you more the history of the place than seeing a building built in 1627 nestled between two glass skyscrappers! I saw much, abosorbed art, and walked my feet off averaging 18000 steps a day.

Part of those days included a bit of sketching. I try to do something everyday. It might only be a minute or two little squiggle, or a longer 10 or 15 minute session. These are 'memory' drawings. I find drawing a scene implants the sight, sounds, smells and atmosphere of the experience far better than a snap on your phone. The sketch book I used was 14 x 14 cm 300gsm cotton smooth. Mostly fountain pen with occassional uses of watercolour or graphitint. Here is a short video showing most of the sketchbook. If the link doesn't work for you here, view it on my instagram page HERE. You need to request to follow if you have not already done so.

And I will be back in class next week, so don't forget to book your place at MMAG or VAS if you wish to join me for a few weeks drawing water subjects!

Invitation to Spring Select Exhibition at VAS

 Join me this Saturday, 6th September at 7pm for the opening of the Victorian Artists Society Spring Select Exhibition - 'Muster' will be on show.

Location: Frater, McCubbin & Hammond Galleries
 430 Albert Street, East Melbourne

The VAS Spring Select Exhibition marks the third and final qualifying round for artists competing for the prestigious Hylton Mackley Artist of the Year Award.

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The highly anticipated Select exhibitions showcase VAS member artists working across all mediums, with the strongest works selected to be exhibited throughout the upper galleries and eligible for peer votes toward December’s $17,000 major prize. Each of the three Select Exhibitions across the year also offers a $1,500 first prize.

There is no overarching theme for the Spring Select—rather, the focus is on presenting the very best of what VAS artists have to offer. As the selection process becomes increasingly competitive, the Spring Select promises to be a celebration of the diverse and dynamic talent within the VAS community.

VAS

 

Edward Heffernan Drawing Award: UPDATE 25/8/25

I won Second Prize!

 

 Join me this Sunday, 24 August at 3.30pm at the Edward Heffernan Drawing Exhibition 2025 Award ceremony at the Victorian Artists Society, where my work 'Cane Train' will be on display. Held in the Cato Gallery and Mackley Member's Room this exhibition is one of the highlights in the Drawing calender at VAS.

 'Cane Train': Graphite and colour pencil on tea stained 300gsm paper. 2024 Linda Weil©

The 'Edward Heffernan Memorial Drawing Prizes' are awarded in honour of Edward Heffernan, past president of VAS from 1977 to 1980. He served on the VAS Council for 12 years and was also awarded the Distinguished VAS Service Award, Honorary life Membership, VAS Fellowship and the Order of Australia Medal for his services to Arts. 

VAS 

New from Old

Very excited to have picked up my custom order of Dodgy Paper this week! A few weeks back I cleaned the studio out, culling old unfinished or unwanted drawings. Rather than tossing it into the yellow bin, I gave it all to Roger at Dodgy to make me new sheets!

 

My big stack of new A4 paper! Nearly 100 sheets! Created primarily from Fabriano Artistico, St. Cuthberds and various 300gsm art paper. Look at how much paper!!!

 Roger gave me some lovely extra coloured sheets to play with. Plus I purchased some Lousy Ink pens. These are pens made from recycled plastic and inks from photocopiers.

 

Paper making in process at Dodgy from my paper.

 

All the old paper, sorted into cruddy, good, better, best (in the box)

Can't wait to have a little play with my new paper and new pens.
Oh, and Roger has little kits for sale so you can make your own A5 sheets at home! Check out his link and the link for Louse ink below.
@dodgy.paper
@lousy.ink

Term 3 - Mentone Mordialloc Art Group

 It was the start of Term 3 at Mentone Mordialloc Art Group yesterday, and although the afternoon class has good numbers there are still 2 places available. The evening class numbers are way down, and there are 5 places available. Why not contact MMAG and join us? MMAG

I guess it is just cold and too miserable to make the trek into art class? But this term is all about fun and being creative with your drawings! Each week you will be given three mystery prompts to draw - draw one, draw them all - be realistic, be imaginative, just have fun. References will be your imagination (or if you wish you can google on your phone).

If you'd like to have a go the prompts yesterday were:
1. Draw three things that are always found in your handbag or backpack
2. Draw the favourite seasonal item of clothing that you wore this week (hat, gloves, shoes, etc)
3. Draw 3 things that made you smile today! 

What made me smile? The kids on the playground through the windows... and my new fingerless gloves.

Mentone Mordialloc Art Group 'Drawing for fun' classes are each Thursday. Afternoon sessions 1.30pm to 3.30pm, Evening sessions 7.30pm to 9.30 pm. Held at the gallery/Mentone Hub, Venice Street, Mentone. Best time to contact the office is Friday mornings 10am to 12.30pm, or phone and leave a message on 0404033109. Include your phone number in your message and the co-ordinator will get back to you.

MMAG