By Tania Phillips
Artist and counsellor Sue Hamlet has found a fun and relaxing way to fundraise to help get Protea Place Warwick up and running.
Sue is holding her popular painting workshop and high tea on Sunday, 21 May at Picot’s Farm Woolshed, Cunningham with $20 from every ticket going towards getting the centre open.
“It is true that the workshops is nearly full but I’m very open to doing more of them,” she said.
“We only need 10-12 people to do a workshop that could help fundraise for PP.
“I guess I have a strong social conscience and want to do all I can to get the doors of PP Warwick open.
“The High Tea idea came from me playing with white pens on blue paint – just trying out a new colour combo – and it struck me that it was a twist on the traditional blue and white willow ware, and also on the stacked teacup illustrations we often see.
“I like the idea of mixing up traditional and modern designs for a whimsical effect.
“Don’t we all have that ‘favourite’ tea or coffee cup?
“My first stacked teacup design I included a dotty cup that used to be my mums, I liked the connection in amongst the traditional designs.
“I’m also crazy about paisley and all kinds of freehand patterns – it’s so relaxing once you start it off, and doesn’t need to be perfect to be rather lovely.
“Such an easy thing to do, and when I shared my art it had such a strong resonance with people it seemed like a good idea to share that skillset through workshops. High Tea is the natural way to go with a high stack of cups!”
The fundraising workshop at Picot’s farm is expected to be a lot of fun.
It’s a chance to get to some friends together and enjoy making a version of Sue Hamlet’s stacked teacup design with a twist – white teacups on a stunning dark blue background.
The workshop experience is served ‘high tea style’ with proper coffee and tea, delicious sandwiches and sweets.
The canvas is 40cm x 40cm, is pre-painted blue, ready to design and paint unique teacup stacks using white ‘posca’ paint pens – so much easier than using brushes, Sue describes it as a “very relaxing experience with no prior illustration skills needed”.
Sue brings along a range of design ideas, but attendees can even bring their favourite teacup as inspiration if they want and she guides participants through.
“The workshop itself is sheer pleasure – and the participants know they are contributing towards better opportunities for other women,” she said.
“I’m a counsellor, so I’ve certainly seen the results in people’s lives when their housing or safety is at risk. I’ve also been open about my lived experience of domestic violence.”
Sue is a qualified counsellor, trainer and community development practitioner but her career has encompassed graphic design, interior design, community development, counselling, mentoring, community education and workshop facilitation.
She currently balances her time between counselling, creating her optimistic and uplifting works on canvas and putting together. artistic/therapeutic workshops.
Sue says she’s passionate about the value of art for self-care and the power of visualisation for increased wellbeing.
She has held therapeutic arts workshops across South, South West and Western Queensland, in collaboration with a range of stakeholders including Queensland Health (TRACC programs), RHealth, Royal Flying Doctor Services and a number of regional councils and not for profit organisations so her involvement with Protea Place is no surprise.
