From Potters to Painters and Everything in between. Twelve Mudgee Region creatives you need to know about.
Okay, so we’ve all heard of Van Gogh, Picasso and Monet. The big names in the international art world – the GOATs, if you will.
But the Mudgee Region creatives who are making their mark on the Australian art scene?
From pooters to painter and everything in between, the Mudgee Region packs a punch when it comes to seriously talented artists.
Here's just a few of the region's creatives you need to know about.
- Des Howard: The man behind Lue Pottery – a hidden creative gem. Des works with all locally sourced materials and makes his own clays and glazes. Add a visit to Lue Pottery on Harpur Road in Lue to your next Mudgee Region itinerary.
- Sam Paine: A creative triple threat, Sam is an artist, performer and writer. His work pops up everywhere – on walls, book covers and calendars, while his sketches have become some of the region’s most iconic brands (Robert Stein’s farm series wine bottles included!) Head to Gulgong to see the now-famous Loaded Dog mural.
- Michael Bourke: If you’re a Mudgee local, you know Michael’s work. It’s adorned everything from beer cans to shed walls. His tongue-in-cheek creations are highly coveted for their playful take on the region – think Mudgee Town Hall as a Big Mac (yes, really). Check out his cheeky cricket mural on Market Street.
- Alex Scheibner: A Hollywood talent lies among us! Alex trained as a blacksmith before heading to the US, where he created hand-forged armour and swords for Hollywood movies (so cool!). He now works from his Rylstone workshop, creating public art installations and outdoor sculptures.
- Fleur MacDonald: Exhibiting since she was kicked out of art school (yes really!), this Kandos-based artist and textile designer is known for her still lifes and landscape photography. A regular exhibitor at Cementa, Fleur’s hand-painted linen has a cult following — and we totally get it.
- Kim Harding: An oil painter living and working on farm just outside Mudgee, Kim is known for her intricate still lifes, stunning portraits and inspiring landscapes. Her work is held in private collections and is regularly exhibited at Mudgee’s Rosby Gallery. Kim also teaches one-day painting workshops, passing on her skills to budding artists.
- Denise Faulkner: With a degree in fine arts and a passion for watercolour, Denise swapped city life for a bush block in Mudgee, using birds, wildlife and the stars as inspiration. Her paintings have appeared in art shows across the country; check out Hello Possums! It’s one of our favourites.
- Kerri Kerley: A woman who knows how to wield a brush. Kerri has created some stunning oil paintings that pay homage to the region — think scenes of The Drip and the Cudgegong River – and was recently part of Mudgee AIR, Mudgee’s inaugural artist in residence program. Her wattle still lifes are hot property.
- Aleisha Lonsdale: A proud Wiradjuri woman, Aleisha brings a First Nations’ lens to everything she creates. Her installations are thought-provoking, emotive and sensory – the kind of work that makes you want to reach out and touch it.
- Felicity Cavanough: Felicity has a knack for turning wire into whimsical animals and sculptures – clever, quirky creations full of personality. Through Art by You, she shares her love of creativity, running classes, often in cellar door settings (where wine is optional but encouraged!).
- Amber Hooper: Mudgee's go to photographer, designer and graphic artist. She's snapped nearly every major business, event & attraction in the region, designed countless websites, logos and posters – and she delivers every time. Last year an exhibition of her photographic work sold out in record time, while her popular @themudgeeproject Instagram account is a celebration of what it's like to live, work & play in the Mudgee Region.
- Rachel Melchers: Inspired by everything from bushland to the coast, Rachel’s colourful landscapes and joyful still lifes celebrate the Australian environment. Visit her light-filled Wandelen Studio + Gallery by appointment to see her work up close.
And when you’re looking for a local art fix? Head to the Mudgee Arts Precinct (their 2026 program is INSANE), Rosby Gallery for their sculpture collection and regular exhibitions, or Art and Crafts Mudgee – the region’s home of local artisans.
