Welcome to Colours on Grey

Hi – my name is Marianne – many call me Mi – and welcome to Colours on Grey.

I run a small artistic business from my website and studio set in rural NSW, Australia .

I am a ceramicist and abstract landscape painter.

My Story

  • I paint and create ceramics

    I create colourful abstract paintings inspired by the landscape around me as well as rustic Nordic inspired ceramic wares. My enjoyment of  working with paper and fabric and incorporating different textures into my paintings has led me into creations of versatility  – including collages and cards.

  • I grew up in Denmark

    I grew up in Denmark spending most of my childhood holidays either on my grandparent’s farm or in the lovely town of Menton on the Mediterranean south coast of France. I moved to Australia in my thirties to pursue a lifelong dream of living a creative life in relaxing and tranquil (or as we Danes would say ‘hyggelige’) surroundings.

  • I wanted to be a writer

    Initially I wanted to be a writer, but after moving to Australia I had to accept that my English just wasn’t good enough. Writing in Danish seems a bit too strange, when you are surrounded by another language.

I started working with clay as a teenager, always being fascinated by the way the clay can transform into a bowl on a fast spinning wheel. For many years ceramics were my main focus, – but I went back to painting – something I’ve always been doing (mainly on my clay works) – but this time taking it more seriously.

I create colourful abstract landscape inspired paintings sometimes incorporating texture by using paper and fabrics. Through my art I unite artistic impressions from two continents and cultures, which over time has fused and become my own unique style.

I participated in my first group exhibition in the late 90's and had my first solo exhibition in 2007.

I started sewing in the 1980’s and have participated in countless numbers of courses and workshops. It’s a skill I set a side for years and then pick it up again. A passion for paper initiated the creation of cards and collages in 2002. I love working with paper and fabric, especially re-cycled, and it gives me a nice break away from the paintbrush.

Working with clay sat on the backburner for a few years, as I was getting more and more into my painting. A couple of years ago I took ceramics up again, and here in 2024 it is again my main focus.

Alongside my ambition to create, I have owned and managed a nice café, a small art gallery, an art supply retail store, an art & craft shop and now an online art business. In 2017 I started teaching painting and other creative/handmade classes. I love sharing my experiences and over the last few years I have had a couple of hundred students coming along to my workshops.

I hope to continue running workshops as sharing and creating with others has a big place in my heart, – but quite often I find it difficult to fit everything in.

Selected Exhibitions

  • 2019 Landliv | Solo exhibition at The Makers Shed, Glen Innes

    2019 The Art Sale | Solo exhibition at Colours on Grey’s Art Space

    2017 Earth Works | Group exhibition at Glen Innes Art Gallery 

    2017 Winter Dialogue | Solo exhibition at Colours on Grey’s Art Space   

    2017 Launch & Opening Exhibition | Group Exhibition at The Tearoom Gallery

    2016 Contemporary Art | Group Exhibition at The Glen Innes Art Gallery

    2015 Spring Fling | Group Exhibition with fellow artists from Glen Innes

    2014 Drawn by Inspiration | Group Exhibition at The Glen Innes Art Gallery

    2013 Colour Connect | Solo exhibition with ceramicist M.Powell

    2012 Golden Days | Group Exhibition with 10 fellow artists

    2011 Abstraction | Solo Exhibition at 311 Grey Street – Glen Innes

    2010 Open Studio Day | at own studio

    2009 The Gift Box | Exhibition with fellow artists Anne Denise and Astrid Kriening

    2009 Crossing New England 4 | Group exhibition at The Armidale Art Gallery

  • 2009 Contemporary Trends | Group exhibition at The Glen Innes Art Gallery

    2008 Tafe Student Art Exhibition | Group exhibition with fellow students

    2008 The Art of Friendship | Group exhibition at Mosman Art Gallery

    2008 Red Cross Art Exhibition | Group exhibition at Deepwater Arts Centre

    2007 Lines of Existence | Solo exhibition at Mimosa Art Gallery

    2006 Under Urban Influence | Group exhibition at Mimosa Art Gallery

    2004 Summer Exhibition | Group exhibition at Mimosa Art Gallery

    2004 Waste to Art Exhibition & Competition | Glen Innes Fine Art & Craft Society | First Prize Winner

    2003 Tafe Student Art Exhibition | Group exhibition with fellow students at The Glen Innes Town Hall

    2002 Annual Competitive Exhibition | Group Exhibition at Inverell Art Gallery

    2001 Tin Town Exhibition | Group exhibition at Emmaville

    2000 Blues Night Art Show | Group exhibition at Golden Wattle Galleries

    1999 Arabian Night Art Show | Group exhibition at Golden Wattle Galleries