April 2024
We're helping to raise funds for Healesville artist Aileen Stinten who was recently diagnosed with cancer. The money raised from selected products purchased on this website will be used to assist her with medical and incidental expenses. We will forward all monies (less transaction and bank charges) directly to her. (Hit the 'Fundraising for Aileen' heading at the top of the screen to navigate to donated products)
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September 2018
Earlier this year Aileen on her way to the organic cafe, intrigued by the fragrance of Sweet Cinnamon wafting down the main road, popped her head into the studio to see what we were about. There ensued a half hour or so of conversation; she told me about her art and would I be interested in selling her cards? A few days later she returned with a bag of reproductions of her animal portraits and I could not quite reconcile the talent with this doe-eyed, unassuming lady. Of course I can now. Since then Aileen has introduced the "Arts and Minds" group to the Malka Studio and helped coordinate "Nelly's Gift" an exhibition of Petronella Jones' inspired monoprints in May of this year. We are delighted to host her retrospective exhibition.
In 2001 at the age of 50, a notice at the Corinella Community Centre caught my eye ‘Exploring Drawing’ with Gary Simmons
From different aspects of drawing and then onto other mediums I explored
A diagnosis of fibromyalgia I turned to art for therapy, it gave me purpose and something to focus my mind upon.
And then there was a random gift of art supplies including canvas board and oil paint – and not knowing what to do with them. Soon after receiving them, my friend Cathy asked me to draw from photographs, a picture of her Clydesdale. After making a few drawings from photos, without telling anyone, I had a go at painting one of them in oil. I just used the oil without any other medium. (I thought you used them straight out of the tube)
Painting finished, I showed it to the art group where without prompting, someone offered a frame that fitted the canvas perfectly, and another took it to her work at an art framer to have it framed. It was so worth the effort. When I took the painting to Cathy she was so overwhelmed and happy, she burst into tears. Her reaction was priceless. And without knowing, the frame fitted her décor.
The way it all came together made me realise I was being directed. My motivation and urge to make the painting were quite strong. Step by step, materials I needed were given to me as needed to make it happen.
I then discovered my preferred mediums: soft pastels, charcoal, and oil pastels.
In 2004 I moved to Healesville where I joined and now tutor the U3A ‘Art and Craft’ group.
2009 & 2010 I participated in the ‘Yarra Valley Open Studios’
I like to experiment with organic eco-printing using iron sulphate and sometimes tea diffusions; and ‘gelli printing’ with a solution of vegetable gelatine, glycerine and dried leaves.
I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported me in my art journey. Aileen
We're delighted to be hosting a selection of multi-media works by Vaidas Zvirblis for the Summer '21-'22 at Malka Studio Healesville. Bold, playful and imaginative, his paintings elicit boundless narrative. Opens December 11. More info follows below
Cats, Dogs & Rabbits Original oil & clay mixture on canvas by Vaidas Zvirblis size 91cm x 91cm
And here's the more...
VAIDAS ZVIRBLIS
Vaidas is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Lithuania. He was born in 1964 in Lithuania. Vaidas received his MFA at Vilnius Art Academy in 1991. In 1996 he received a UNESCO scholarship for 3 month art residency in Sanskriti Kendra, India, which culminated in a solo exhibition in Delhi. He moved to Australia in 1998, settling in Melbourne with his family. Drawing was always been at the core of his practice, having illustrated 6 children’s books, one of which received the 2008 Most Beautiful Children’s Book Award from the Lithuanian Council of the Arts. He also represented Lithuania at the 2011 Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Italy and the 3rd Tallinn illustration Triennial in Estonia in 2009. Vaidas exhibits regularly in Lithuania & Australia exploring a wide range of creative mediums. Since 2016 Vaidas lives on his large farm in Lithuania, where he paints, draws and makes large-scale outdoor sculptures & public commissions.
EDUCATION
1983-1991 Masters of Fine Arts
Vilnius Art Academy-Kaunas Art Institute, Lithuania
1975-1982 J.Naujalis Secondary Art School, majoring in painting
Kaunas, Lithaunia
SELECTED AWARDS / PRIZES
2008 February Lithuanian Art Council Award
Most Beautiful Children’s Book of the Year. Vilnius . LT
1996 February UNESCO-ASCHBERG scholarship
Sanskriti Kendra Art Residency, New Delhi. Feb-May 1996
ART SYMPOSIUMS
2020 September KILOWAZ art symposium, Siauliai, Lithuania
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2019 September Paintings & sculptures at “GAUDRE” salon of lights, Vilnius, Lithuania
2018 March “PIEVOS” paintings & sculptures, Traku Vokes Dvaras, Lithuania
2008, 2011, 2015 Recent Paintings. Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne
2010, 2013 Sculpture. Bird's Gallery, Melbourne
2005 March New Drawings. Ink wash on paper, Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne
1997 June Moving Sculptures ( Ceramics & Mixed Media )
“Ripustus” Gallery, Hameenlinna, Finland.
1996 October Paintings & Sculptures
UNESCO Commission centre of Lithuania, Vilnius
1996 May Paintings & Moving Sculptures
Sanskriti Kendra, New Delhi
1993 New Ceramics, Potsdam Gallery, Germany
DUO EXHIBITIONS
2000 October Vaidas Zvirblis-Sculptures, Pirjo Heino (Finland) Woodblock prints.
Hauhota’o Gallery, Finland
1999 September Vaidas Zvirblis Ceramics, Brigita La Works on paper
CAS Space-Windows, Melbourne
1998 August Vaidas Zvirrblis Sculptures, Katri Heino (Finland) Drawings
Rajatia Gallery, Tampere, Finland.
1998 January Vaidas Zvirblis -Sculptures , Pirjo Heino (Finland) Woodblock Prints
Baroti Gallery, Klaipeda, Lithuania.
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2013 October-March “All Creatures Great and Small” Sculpture 2013
Toyota Australia, Port Melbourne, Vic
2013 August “Workshopped 13” Design Award (finalist),
Supa Centre Moore Park, Sydney
2012 November “Summer Sun & Fun” Bird’s Gallery, Kew
2012 May Art Melbourne, Royal Exhibition Building, Carlton
2012 February ILIUSTRARIUM Contemporary Lithuanian Book Illustration.
Vilnius Book Fair
2011 March ILLUSTRARIUM Contemporary Lithuanian Book Illustration
Bologna International Children’s Illustration Award. Bologna, Italy
2009 May Prometheus Visual Arts Award (finalist) Merrimac. QLD
2009 The 3rd Tallinn Illustrations Triennial. Tallinn, Estonia
2006, 2007 Art Melbourne, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
2006 February “Together” international exhibition of small size works
Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne
2005 April Affordable Art Show, Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne
Represented by Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne
2004 November “White” international exhibition of small size works
Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne.
2004 April Melbourne Affordable Art Show
Represented by Bird’s Gallery, Melbourne
2003 February Linden Postcard Show
Linden Gallery, Melbourne
1999 December “The Point” international mini size exhibition
Ripustus Gallery, Hameenlinna, Finland
1999 August 9’ x 12’ National Touring Exhibition of Contemporary Art
Steps Gallery, Melbourne
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2014 ‘Illustrators of Eastern Europe’, dpi Taiwan’s Graphic Design Magazine
VOL 178, pages 42-45
2011 ILLUSTRARIUM Contemporary Lithuanian Book Illustration, Published by the International Cultural Programme Centre, Lithuania. Pg 192-196
2008 Lithuanian Literature for Children and Youth ’08. Published by Books from Lithuania 2008, pages 46-50
2007 Art Melbourne 07 catalog, page 45
2006 Art Melbourne 06 catalog, page 33
1997 June 19 ‘Positive Insects and Happy Birds’
Hameen Sanomat newspaper, Hameenlinna, Finland
2000 October 19 ‘Pirjo Heino ja Vaidas Zvirblis yhteisnayttelyssa Hauhotalossa’ by Sari Musjoki, Torstaina newspaper, Finland (translation available)
1998 January 16 ‘Moving objects and graphics at Baroti gallery’ by Rita Bociulyte
Klaipeda newspaper, Lithuania (translation available)
COLLECTIONS
1996 Sanskriti Kendra Art Residencies, New Delhi, India
1996-2014 Private Collections in India, Finland, Lithuania, USA & Australia
“Life is easier when you are comfortable in your own skin” – Amy Dickinson
Spring is the time of renewal, rejuvenation and revitalization as blossoms appear on bare wooded trees, colourful spring flowers bloom, baby birds a-chirping and the warmth of spring sunshine transforms the soul. Love all your skin and start preparing it for the pending warmth of the change in season, by saying goodbye to dry winter skin.
Skin care routines require change, like swapping out your heavier moisturizing products for lightweight natural options. Try Malka’s easy three steps to fabulous skin by using our all natural skin care products for cleansing, exfoliating / mask and moisturizing.
Skin revitalization begins with the first step of cleansing with Malka Watermelon Organic Jojoba Cleanser featuring watermelon peel, organic jojoba oil, orgainic shea butter & coconut oil, apply a small amount to the face and remove with damp cotton wool.
Exfoliating your skin is essential coming into spring, not only does it help rid the skin of dead skin cells it benefits the stimulation of cellular renewal, meaning your skin will become smoother and healthier.
Try Malka Matcha Honey Mask featuring organic raw honey infused with powdered matcha, organic rosehip & jojoba oils. By using small circular motions, it becomes a gentle facial scrub. For a deeper cleanse Malka Honey Clay Deep Cleansing Mask infused with pink Argiletz clay, organic rosehip & organic jojoba oils with parsley & organic chamomile essential oils. Apply avoiding eye area, leave for 10 minutes and rinse thoroughly.
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It’s not just your face that needs attention at this time of year…don’t forget the rest of your body, which even means your feet! There is a Malka natural skin care product for every part of your body.
Spring is the perfect time to pamper your skin…why not start today?
Click here for Spring Ready Skin
‘Jasmine…elegance is the beauty that never fades’ – Audrey Hepburn
Malka’s Jasmine Organic Jojoba Hand & Body Cream is an extraordinary product that we only make once a year in anticipation of Spring. There's something about August in the Southern Hemisphere when a deep-seated urge prompts us to make this truly decadent cream.
Jasmine is a delicate flowering plant originally native to Persia & Kashmir known for its heavenly and exotic scent and evokes memories of balmy evenings, which helps to lift the spirits to relax the body and encourages romance. Considered an aphrodisiac and admired as ‘the perfume of love’ in Hindu traditions.
It can take 50,000 petals to create just 30ml bottle of Jasmine Absolute (jasminum officinale), which equates to over 7,500 individual jasmine flowers. Known as ‘Queen of the Night’ because the delicate Jasmine flowers are picked at night before the morning sun drives the scent from the flower, highly valued for its rarity and high price.
Organic jojoba oil (phonetically pronounced - ho-ho-ba) is a unique liquid wax obtained by cold pressing the seeds from the jojoba shrub, native to Sonoran Desert, the hottest desert in Northwest Mexico. Jojoba is known for its antibacterial & anti-inflammatory properties, whilst mimicking our skin’s natural oils, which acts as an intense moisturiser for skin and hair.
We hand stir these two exceptional ingredients to create an intense and dramatically fragrant cream. Malka Jasmine Organic Jojoba Hand & Body Cream is exceptionally good for dry or aggravated skin.
Available for a limited time only at Malka Studio Healesville, 206 Maroondah Highway and online.
