Inside the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios

I had always heard whispers about Open Studios. Even before joining the Burrinja team, my friends shared stories about discovering hidden artistic treasures tucked away in the hills. As a lifelong art enthusiast, I now feel a twinge of disappointment that I waited this long to participate.

Honestly, I did not know exactly what to expect. The thought of navigating those famously narrow, winding mountain roads made me hesitate. But I finally decided to push past my driving anxiety and see what the fuss was all about. I am so incredibly glad I did.

Despite the gloomy weather, my friend Jen Carlyon, a talented local artist from Yarra Junction, mapped out a brilliant itinerary. We hopped in the car and set off on an unforgettable creative adventure. This journey offered a rare window into the private sanctuaries where art comes to life. If you have ever wondered what goes on behind the closed doors of an artist's workspace, let me take you through our our day.

Discovering Hidden Gems in the Hills

The beauty of this event lies in the element of surprise. Guided by the pink signs that line the roads and point the way, you pull up to an ordinary-looking driveway, walk through a garden path, and suddenly find yourself standing in a creative hub.

A Collaborative Start in Monbulk

Our very first stop was the Monbulk studio of Elizabeth Gleeson and Gerard Russo. To my great relief, parking was a breeze. That immediately lowered my anxiety levels and let me focus on the experience. As we entered, we were immediately drawn to the community mural set up right at the entrance. With pots of paint and brushes at the ready, Jen and I carefully stayed within the lines to make our own small contribution to this collaborative artwork. Only after this creative moment did we receive a warm welcome from Gerard. Inside the studio, Gerard’s striking charcoal drawings, used as the source for his illuminated copper pieces, were a particular highlight, showcasing a fascinating blend of technique and imagination. Elizabeth’s intricate, mandala-like artworks captivated us as well, evoking the elegance of Art Nouveau but with a refreshing, modern slant and a kaleidoscope of colour.

Gerard then took us on a tour, explaining his creative process. Their workspace featured fantastic lighting that perfectly complemented the pieces on display. Elizabeth also shared a fascinating sneak peek at a work-in-progress destined for Burrinja’s upcoming Pieces of Paper exhibition (coming in May). The vibrant atmosphere set the tone for the rest of our day.

A Trio of Talent on Upper Coonara Road

Next, we navigated to Upper Coonara Road in Olinda. Incredibly, we visited three distinct artists living just a stone's throw away from each other. This street truly embodies the spirit of artists hidden in the hills.

Nostalgic Notes with David Cox

We first visited David Cox, an artist who crafts mind-blowing sculptures out of salvaged piano keys and other parts. His daughter Ava greeted us at a charming pop-up shop offering handmade earrings, bookmarks and other wonderful creations.

Stepping into David’s workspace felt like walking into a nostalgia capsule. I grew up in a house with a beloved family pianola, so I immediately understood why these sculptures carry such deep meaning. David transforms discarded pianos, organs, and pianolas into stunning pieces that families will cherish for generations.

He shared a staggering piece of trivia with us. At the turn of the 20th century, Melbourne had roughly 800,000 homes, and 700,000 of them contained a piano, that's a lot of people who tickled the keys. Furthermore, he explained that you could fill the mighty MCG ten feet high every single decade with pianos destined for the landfill. David's work provides a beautiful way to save parts of these instruments from destruction while preserving the memories of the people who played them.

Rustic Charm with Rémy Tramoy

Just down the road, we met Rémy Tramoy. This talented French furniture maker was making his Open Studios debut. His cozy, rustic workspace overflows with charm, perfectly matching his warm personality.

Rémy builds functional art. His chairs are exquisite masterpieces, and he has a captivating story for every single one. He firmly instructed us to sit in a specific chair currently featured at the Continuum Exhibition. He designed the armrests to mimic a warm embrace, inspired by the memory of his wife nursing their twins. Hearing the rich, personal stories behind the furniture makes the art deeply meaningful.

Healing Through Art with Jamie Saxe

Our final stop on Upper Coonara Road brought us to Jamie Saxe. Jamie's paintings fascinate me. Every time I look at his layered, colourful canvases, my brain interprets something entirely different. One day I see a sprawling galaxy; the next day, a deep ocean trench.

Jamie generously shared how some of these works evolved following a cancer diagnosis. His latest works have incorporated medical bandages and medication bottles. These will form part of his next exhibition at Burrinja in July. By documenting his journey, he hopes to comfort and support others facing similar battles. His profound courage demonstrates how art can soothe the soul during our darkest times.

Misty Landscapes and Majestic Views

Navigating the winding roads actually proved much easier than I feared. Jen graciously handled most of the driving, allowing me to sit back and enjoy the lush forest scenery.

Intricate Details with Kelly Kondis

We both absolutely loved Kelly Kondis’s piece, Unfastened Time, at the recent Continuum Exhibition. From afar, it immediately caught our attention. Up close, the detail left us speechless. Naturally, we placed her studio high on our must-visit list.

Kelly creates breathtaking, misty artworks featuring detailed trees in the foreground. Her space felt incredibly serene. Jen was able get some valuable tips on oil painting as Kelly shared her process. While there, we also watched Jess Measor demonstrate her lino-cutting techniques. Seeing Jess in the middle of a fresh carving provided a wonderful practical lesson in printmaking.

Scaling Up with Prue Chrome

Next, we arrived at Prue Chrome’s studio. Let me just say, her view is absolutely spectacular. Waking up to that mountain vista every morning must provide endless inspiration.

Because Jen is a practising artist herself, she deeply valued the chance to talk shop with Prue. Prue kindly explained her methods for handling and painting large canvases. Jen walked away with practical tips she can immediately apply to her own practice. Prue’s brilliantly colourful, large-scale works give you the wonderful illusion that the painting simply never ends.

Recharging at Burrinja

By late afternoon, our stomachs started rumbling. We headed to Burrinja for a much-needed coffee break. Michelle, Jaquie, and their team always deliver the goods. We enjoyed a delicious light lunch followed by warm scones, homemade raspberry jam, and fresh cream. If you haven't tried Michelle's scones, I highly recommend them.

Burrinja was absolutely jumping. Visitors swarmed the spaces to check out resident studios (15 in total), watch live demonstrations, and chat with creators. The vibrant energy felt contagious. We spent so much time exploring that we ran out of time to revisit the Continuum Exhibition. If you haven't seen it yet, make sure you go before it closes on Sunday, 26 April.

A Vintage Finish in Upwey

We had time for one final stop before our Open Studios adventure concluded. Located just around the corner from Burrinja we visited the incredibly talented Jessie Yvette Journoud-Ryan. I have remained fascinated by Jessie’s creations ever since her On the Wing exhibition at Burrinja, February 2025. She brilliantly repurposes vintage ceramics to craft vibrant mosaics and bird sculptures. The mosaic path (another one of her works) leads directly to her front door, perfectly setting the tone for the wonders inside.

Jessie gave us a fantastic demonstration. She showed us how she sculpts a wax bird to create a mould. Then, she demonstrated how she meticulously builds her sculpture using fragmented ceramic pieces and mortar, which she affectionately calls her glue.

The Power of Creative Connection

You simply cannot replicate this kind of experience in a traditional gallery setting. Viewing finished artwork on a wall is wonderful, but stepping into the exact space where that art was born changes everything.

Seeing creators in the environments where they feel most inspired offers an unmatched level of intimacy. You get to smell the paint, see the scattered tools, and hear the deeply personal stories behind their creations.

If you have ever considered exploring the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios, do not hesitate. Grab a friend, map out a route, and head into the hills. I am officially hooked, and I cannot wait to see what these and more incredible artists open up to us next year. Thank you to all the artists for your time, your generous hospitality, expert tips and your boundless talent.