MARTINA Carney loves selling her multi-media art work at local markets but after attending many iaround the Hunter, slowly found the experience fraught with stress.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I didn't feel safe with my product because of the weather - wind, rain, dust and so on - because my art is framed," she says, adding that she had also witnessed flying gazebos damage products and even injure people in extreme weather.
The final straw came when she attended a market only to have one of her artworks - composite pieces which feature her photographs and paintings - covered in dust so fine that her attempts to clean it were futile.
Soonafter, the Berlin-bred artist took a break when she had her first child.
But she was soon keen to return to the markets, however with a better solution to sell her wares.
Before too long she was inspired to create what she has branded The Hunter's Smallest Mobile Art Gallery.
"This concept has already been very successful overseas like in America and Europe," she says of her decision to buy and transform what was a motorbike trailer into a cosy gallery on wheels.
"I've put my whole heart, soul and budget into this awesome but simple concept."
Mrs Carney, whose works are inspired by her love for the natural environment, debuted her gallery at a recent market in Lake Macquarie and found the experience a far more positive one.
"I was so surprised how many people came in to have a look, it was amazing. It's about encouraging people to come in," she said.
She said while trailers are often used at markets for food pop-ups, the concept of converting them for galleries is new.
"I'd love to be an example with my idea, something new, that will also attract visitors to the Hunter area over time," she said.
Her mobile gallery stocks fine art photography and home decor. - framed and unframed art photographs, home deco items, coffee mugs and more.
Mrs Carney has been taking photographs from the age of six when her father gave her a manual camera.
She worked for seven years as a dental hygienist in Berlin and Prague before finally deciding to return to her true passion of photography and art. She completed a two-year course in multi-media design which led her to combine her photography with her painting.
She travelled to Australia in 2009 after family and friends spoke highly of it, and was working in Sydney when she met her Novocastrian-raised husband.
The Hunter's Smallest Mobile Art Gallery will be at Stockland Glendale in September and also at local upcoming markets.
While you're with us, did you know Newcastle Herald offers breaking news alerts, daily email newsletters and more? Keep up to date with all the local news - sign up here.
IN NEWS TODAY:
