I am so excited to be a part of this amazing platform “Well Traveller”. This is the brain child of Katherine Droga and has grown now in to Australia’s first wellness travel series. Our realisation that experiences that nurture us and feed our souls are the foundation of a healthy mind and body, has got us rethinking our travel plans to include some pretty amazing experiences. The Adelaide Hills has lots on offers including retreats, Jurlique farm tours, wellness escapes, wilderness hikes and of course my mandala workshops.

✨1 week to go!🏝
Well Traveller TV is Australia’s first wellness travel series and will go to air nationwide on Sunday 23 October (a week today!)

Hosted by seven-time world surfing champion and mental wellbeing advocate, @laynebeachley@well_traveller we travel around the country, meeting a range of celebrity guests like; @adamroy37@turiapit@megankgale and many others, who share their favourite wellness rituals from some of the most inspiring travel destinations across the country including; The Sunshine Coast, Adelaide Hills, Gold Coast, Byron Bay and the Tweed, Tropical North Queensland, Margaret River, Daylesford, Mornington Peninsula and Tasmania.

Viewers will also get to meet everyday Australians who are doing it tough, either mentally, physically or financially and need a break. These guests are taken on a wellness travel journey to help them reset and inspire viewers who may relate to feelings of stress, grief and other common challenges faced in everyday life.

https://www.welltraveller.com.au/operatorlistings/mindful-mandala-workshop/

Partnership with Fairhill Botanical Gardens

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM FAIRHILL

We are super excited to share the news that next week we are launching a purpose driven partnership with artist
& innovator Cathy Gray. 

This partnership brings together two parties both passionate about the future of endangered Australian native plants.

Winner of multiple awards in 2022 including The People’s Choice Dr Wendy Wickes Memoriam Prize as a part of the South Australian Museum’s Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize, and Women in Innovation, Cathy’s Endangered piece (pictured) illustrates the plight of Australia’s endemic plants focusing on 758 critically endangered species. 

Cathy spent more than 400 hours researching and producing a detailed pen and ink mandala that depicts the fragile relationship between the arts and the natural world. 

The Endangered Partnership forms a key pillar in Fairhill’s vision to propagate and then give endangered native plants a second chance in their habitat of origin.

Join us at 10am on Wednesday November 16th at Fairhill for a Q&A  session with the artist and the opportunity to learn how you can support endangered native plants in your community and gardens. 

Who are the Friday Fridas, we are seven South Australian female professional artists. Over the last 4 year we have formed a strong friendship group and support network based around our art. We catch up regularly, swapping ideas, inspire, support and advocate for each other.

CATHY GRAY – Arts
Cathy is a visual artist, mother of two and life partner. She has spent the last 8 years as a full-time artist focussing on the mandala. During this time Cathy has developed her business to include teaching and collaborating with businesses via wellness workshops.

For the last five years Cathy has been conducting mandala workshops – for primary school students – to help build confidence and to ignite a “creative fire” in students. Cathy’s artwork brings together her two loves – the mandala and nature. 

Creating native flora and fauna artworks has brought home to Cathy the unique diversity of our landscape. Over time Cathy has researched into habitats, environment and the survival of Australian native species – realising they need our voice more than ever to ensure their survival. To reinforce this message inspired Cathy to focus her artistic direction on our endangered species.

https://www.facebook.com/WinnovationSA

Interview with ABC Eyre Pen- Emma Pedler

START AT 2:11:43

Winner of the 2022 Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize – Peoples Choice Award

https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/media/peoples-choice-waterhouse-22

Gallery Space

Gallery Space…Cathy Gray Ink Work and Sabi Design have collaborated with Castle Prestige on Glen Osmond Rd. No doubt if you drive down Glen Osmond Rd you have already eyed our work. The huge windows facing the road, showcase our work beautifully. In January my sister introduced us to Grant, Luke and Yanni to see if we would like to collaborate. The space although filled with stunning cars had empty walls beckoning for something. Our large scale pieces work perfectly in the space and hold their own against the equally impressive cars.

Our art is shown exclusively both downstairs and upstairs. You are welcome to head in and have a look around, Luke and Yanni will show you around. If you are looking for a more personal tour then we are happy to meet you there. If you are an interior designer or builder, we have a beautiful space with board table for you to bring your clients to view our work. Over the next few months we will continue to interchange the art, providing you with something new to look at whilst you are driving to and from work.

Opening Night

Opening Night… Friday evening the 12th saw the opening of our new gallery space at Castle Prestige and was attended by 100 guests. Jeremy Cordeaux radio personality opened the evening. Nick Baranikow, Master Auctioneer auctioned two pieces of art raising funds for https://rednose.org.au/section/lion-warrior. The night was made even more special with 3 very special guests in the form of collectable cars. The 1979 E-Type Jag once owned by Dolly Parton, in which I had a very Thelma and Louise moment in, Jack Brabham’s 1959 Formula One World Championship car and the Porsche GT3. Catering was from Amazing Grazers A very special evening and enjoyed by everyone.

Workshops with Cathy Gray

Give yourself the gift of time

Learn about the Mandala and its benefits in your day to day life during my workshop

I regularly hold workshops in my studio in Bridgewater, I created this space especially for my workshops it is calm, quiet and you will find that your busy minds will begin to slow once you enter.

I offer group, private and private group workshops. Maximum participants is 12.

During my workshops you will learn how to create your own mandala.   Together we start from a blank sheet, a dot in the middle and from that same point we will create something so individual, a representation of us and our inner self.

We will express our thoughts and feelings through art. That there is no right and wrong there is only what is.  The class is not about getting our mandala “done” it is truely about the process, the finished product is in the future and we are creating in the present. As you begin your mind will begin to focus allowing outside thoughts and worries to leave your conscious mind.  The use of a grid and repetition allows our minds to fully focus on the mandala.

After the workshop you will be invited to join my Facebook group where we can continue to work together. My motif sheets are available here and if you get stuck I can continue to help you. Follow up zoom workshops are also available if you feel you need a bit of extra time.

You will find dates for my upcoming workshops here