Polly Prov Profile #4
She bought two acres, built and styled her modest cabin-style home in the small township of Lexton, adding extensions, and transforming over time it into a much larger, welcoming and character-rich bush retreat. Five years ago, tempted by another opportunity to fulfil a life-long dream, she moved even deeper into the Pyrenees, to the sparsely populated area of Moonambel.
Maggie was attracted to the artistic community in the area, so started looking around. She says her heart just melted when she came across a dilapidated mud brick house in need of a complete renovation. The 16 acres and the mobs of kangaroos that came with the property were a bonus. There are some things that are less than ideal about living in the bush however, such as the prospect of fire; something she experienced first-hand on part of her property several years ago. That was the end of the grape vines! With temperatures in the high thirties and low forties in Summer, sometimes her paint dries on the brush before it even reaches the canvas. In typically gregarious Maggie style, she laughs these gluggy moments away. She says she’s having a lovely time and living a happy life.
Having won the esteemed Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award (now in it’s 30th year) for her work "donkey’s years ago,” Maggie mostly focuses on painting these days. Having had her time in the sun, Maggie is now keen to help put a spotlight on the broader range of talent that exists in regional Victoria. She says “There are some really great artists out here, and many of these people came from the city by choice. They’re here and they’re producing some very strong work.”.