Meet  The Team

Founder & The Visiting Creatives

  • Nina

    FOUNDER

    It all begins with an idea.

    At The Dandy Lion Studio, we believe that everyone is creative. You don’t need to be “naturally creative”—creativity is something that grows with practice, exploration, and a little encouragement. Our workshops and events are designed to help you unlock that potential, no matter where you’re starting from. Whether you’re discovering your creative side for the first time or building on what you already know, we’re here to guide and inspire you every step of the way. We can’t wait to help you bring your artistic vision to life!

    Art is more than just visual—it’s an experience

  • Graham Hearn

    Creative Confidence Workshop, October 25th, 10-3

    Graham Hearn grew up on a 2,200-acre farm in southern New South Wales, surrounded by vast skies and wide paddocks—an upbringing that continues to shape his artistic vision today.

    While he only began painting seriously around five years ago, Graham’s creative journey has flourished with boldness and purpose. Working primarily in acrylics on large-scale canvases, he believes that art should make a statement—emotionally or physically—and be seen and celebrated, not hidden away.

    Graham is best known for his Aerial Farmscapes—large, impressionistic works inspired by aerial photographs of farming properties. These unique pieces offer a bird’s-eye view of rural landscapes, honouring the land with vibrant colour and expressive texture.

    “It’s a great way of getting their farm on canvas, and they can actually put it in their lounge room—it doesn’t have to be behind a wall in the study.”
    — The Land Newspaper

    Beyond farmscapes, Graham paints whatever speaks to him in the moment—he’s not tied to a theme, but rather follows feeling, colour, and form. His work is instinctive, expressive, and always evolving.

    He has exhibited widely, conducts hands-on workshops across regional areas, and undertakes private commissions.

    📍 Explore more of Graham’s work at:
    🌐 www.aerialfarmscapes.com.au
    📱 Find him on Instagram & Facebook: @GrahamHearnArt

Meet the Art Crew

  • Gabriella Pauk

    Art Explorers TERM4

    Originally from London, Gaby made the move to Australia in 2018, first calling Melbourne home before love led her to the quieter rhythms of Swan Hill. With a lifelong love for art, she holds a BTEC Diploma in Art & Design and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art, where she explored a range of multimedia practices.

    Her passion for creativity naturally extended into teaching during university, where she helped run kids’ art birthday parties and after-school programs. Now living on a farm with her partner and six children, Gaby balances her vibrant family life with her deep appreciation for both food and art.

    Swan Hill has given her a fresh perspective and a more grounded pace of life—and she's now working toward her dream of becoming a primary school art teacher by pursuing a Master of Teaching. Gaby brings warmth, creativity, and lived experience to everything she does, and we’re thrilled to have her as part of The Dandy Lion Studio family.


  • Caitlin Shadbolt

    Graphite Drawing TERM3

    My name is Caitlin, I have had my own art business since the start of 2021, when I moved from Melbourne to Swan Hill.

    I have found my niche with coloured pencil illustrations of people’s pets, however, have recently been learning how to oil paint for fun and for a new challenge.

    When I’m not drawing, I love to travel in my van, go running with my dog Scout and be outside as much as possible.

    Through learning new art styles, I have found that drawing is the foundation for almost every other medium. Many painters take a year to learn how to draw before they even pick up a paintbrush. By learning how to draw, you will be setting yourself up for success for many other art styles in the future. It is also a skill that can not be unlearned. It takes lots of practise, but once you learn how to draw it is a skill you can keep developing on (& get good quite fast if you put the work in!) Once you learn some basic fundamentals, you can draw anything! It is a very rewarding medium, I hope you will love it as much as I do!

  • Raylene Richardson

    Oil Painting with Creativity and confidence

    Weeks 1–8
    Create a unique oil painting from the ground up.


    In Weeks 1–4, explore playful mixed media backgrounds using watercolour, inks, and found textures.

    In Weeks 5–8, refine your composition into a finished piece that’s entirely yours. All welcome!

    Slow Stitching

    Raylene is probably known mainly as a local Dance Teacher but …

    Raylene is an experienced textile art teacher and is highly regarded in the world of Textile Art. She brings a wealth of knowledge and techniques to her classroom.

    She encourages creativity and projects unique to her students, teaching step by step so as not to overwhelm.

    Find Raylene on Instagram Raylene_dandylionstudio

  • Shelley Mitchell

    Holiday Program

    Retired Primary Art teacher and Zart Art Consultant, have loved everything Arty since I could draw with a pencil, sew with my Mum, build with my Dad and craft with my Nan. Especially love encouraging children to express themselves and their world through Art. Passionate textile artist …fabric dyeing, eco dyeing, rust dyeing, anything you can do with material!

    Find Shelley on Instagram

    kidsart__dandylionstudio