Kerry Munns, whose happy abstract art adorns people as well as walls, moved with her family to Cowalla from Beacon about 10 years ago.
“I love living here, particularly during the winter and springtime when I’m surrounded by rolling green hills,’’ she said.
“With my house overlooking the valley, it’s very beautiful and inspiring.
“I’ve always been a country girl and feel most comfortable when I have the space to breathe and trees around me.”
The process of translating one of the artist’s paintings into a piece of wearable art takes about a year, from turning the original into a repeat pattern for textile design, to making the finished garments in sustainable, luxury cottons and linens.
Before taking up art as a fulltime business in 2019, Mrs Munns worked as an art support worker in Lancelin, helping adults with disabilities enjoy a variety of art projects.
“It reignited my passion to paint.’’
As well as turning her paintings into wearable art, Mrs Munns sells her original artworks, opens up her art studio for abstract painting workshops and holds plein air painting classes on her property, alongside the Moore River.
Many of Mrs Munns’ customers have added her vibrant artwork to their wardrobes after meeting the talented local creative at premium market events, such as the Perth Upmarket, which returns to UWA for 2024 on Sunday, March 24.
Born and bred in WA’s Wheatbelt, Mrs Munns went to a “teeny-tiny” school in Gabbin before boarding at Northam Senior High School.
Becoming a hairdresser at 16 and state junior champion at 18, she married her teenage sweetheart two years later and the young family quickly grew from two to six.
“After a five-year gap I really wanted to try for a little girl, but the universe had other ideas and I ended up having two beautiful, big, bouncing identical twin boys instead.
“With a house filled with six boys, plus my hubby, I was constantly outnumbered.
“Perhaps it’s why I now fill my life with paintings and dresses covered in flowers.
“Never fear though, I now have a gorgeous granddaughter who loves coming to nannie’s to paint in my art studio and two lovely little grandsons to add to my tribe.”
To find out more visit: https://www.perthupmarket.com.au/.
This article appeared on Yanchep News Online on 23 March 2024.
