Chantelle's Garden Atelier

02/10/2025

I once had a couple approach me at Botanic Gardens Sydney, wanting to talk about what 'vermin' bats are. I must admit to being a bit stunned by their apparent lack of understanding of ecosystems, everything plays a role. I mentioned how important bats are as pollinators. They looked pretty sceptical 😕

05/09/2025

Recently acquired 🌿 This very spring artwork is by Rosie Ngwarraye Ross, who comes from a long line of artists and followed the teachings of her late mother, one of the original Utopia batik artists, and her aunties, Lilly and Daisy Kemarre. Born on Alyawarr Country near Amaroo Station, Northern Territory, Rosie paints wildflowers and bush medicine out on her Country.

Sugarbag is a name for both the honey made by native bees and the sweet nectar from the big yellow flowers of the ‘tarrkarr’ trees. Rosie and her family often gathered Sugarbag in the sandy country around Ampilatwatja.

Rosie Ngwarraye Ross, Alyawarr people, Sugarbag Dreaming, 2022, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2024, © Rosie Ngwarraye Ross, Artists of Ampilatwatja

05/09/2025

A good demonstration of adequately washing dust and debris off leaves so they can do their job photosynthesising.

03/09/2025

24/08/2025

Olive trees grow painfully slowly...how utterly tragic.

10/08/2025

😥😥😥