People exploring the shops in the Yarragon central business district are encouraged to cross the highway and check out what the Station Gallery and Baw Baw Arts Alliance have on offer this September.
"Calligraphic Marks," the latest exhibition from BBAA past president Anita George, is on display at the Station Gallery until Sunday October 1.
The exhibition showcases Anita's love of calligraphy and painting, through an eclectic collection of abstract calligraphic style marks and legible words. Anita said neither the words or the painting should be the central focus of her artwork, believing they should be considered together.
"I don't want the words to sit on top of a piece of art," Anita said. "I want the words to be part of and in the art, so they both rely on each other."
After stepping back from her role as BBAA president, Anita had more time to create the artwork on display in her exhibition. Some of the stand out pieces showcased in the exhibition include a seven metre long paper roll capturing different styles of calligraphy created by different implements in different mediums, and calligraphic markings etched on to panels of glass with a special drill.
Anita said her work wasn't inspired by anything specific but was guided from what she experienced when she was in the studio.
"Nothing particular would influence me, on each particular piece, I have the freedom to express whatever it is that day is telling me to express," Anita said.
"Where I am and whatever emotion and however I'm feeling on the day. If the sun's out and the birds are, you'll probably find orange!"
Anita began creating calligraphic works almost 30 years ago and has now adopted a less traditional flare to her work.
"I joined the Calligraphy Society of Victoria, I was living in Aubrey, and I would do the five-hour dive down to Melbourne to do a day workshop," she said.
"I've gone on a different tangent, moving away from traditional styles. I prefer people to look at a piece and get a mood, there's an emotion. By looking at it and going 'oh look at that, that makes me feel' and then finding the words in it."
Anita will be giving an artist talk at the Station Gallery in Yarragon on Sunday September 17 at 2pm. At the talk Anita will outline the process of her work, her method for coming up with pieces and answer questions from anyone visiting the gallery.
Another recent edition to the Station Gallery is the small book, "Rescue Cat", by writer Rodney Williams. The book features tanka, a traditional form of short verse from Japan, similar to haiku.
Rodney's poems place a strong focus on nature, with much of his work celebrating Gippsland. Rodney recently released his book to a packed audience of over 50 people at the Gallery.
Local painter, Ingrid Thomas also has work on display at the Gallery this month. Her collection 'Abstractions', will be showcased "On the Wall" until October 1.