A big congratulations to Lori Pensini for being selected as a finalist in this years Portia Geach Memorial Award for her unique artwork,'melaleuca lucinda' (after Rossetti). Of her artwork Lori has said: The melaleuca is known for its purifying properties, of both body and mind, a healer to clear negative energies and release emotional wounds that no longer serve. It is a quietly powerful allegory here for my friendship with Lucinda Giblett, writer, co-creator and founder of Stellar Violets. We reach out often exploring our complexions and identity in the natural world, the creative curios-is we share, mine visual fables, hers artistry of words, an evolutionary thread woven and whispered since the dawn of time. I wanted to capture Cin here, ingrained, of this earth, likening to Greek dryad Daphne, tree spirit, to illustrate the affinity binding of nature and people, people as nature. The Portia Geach Award is held annually supporting women artists in Australia. The artworks are to be portraits painted from life of a person distinguished in the arts, letters or sciences. The exhibition opens 3 Nov - 17 Dec and is held at the National Trust S.H. Erwin Gallery at 2 Watson Rd, Millers Point NSW.