
Maree is a natural history Illustrator and a field mycologist. The inspiration for her art practice comes from the extraordinary shapes and colours of fungi and their relationship with other organisms within the environment.
Maree curates the fungi collection at the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens Heatherbrae, NSW. She is also involved in collecting fungi specimens for research for various government bodies. While looking for truffles with a world- renowned truffle expert she uncovered a rare and endangered underground orchid that turned out to be new species. She has published her fungi illustrations and photographs in national and international journals & magazines as well as exhibiting nationally and internationally.
Maree takes community and university groups each year in May to see the Ghost fungus (Omphalotus nidiformis) that grows within the gardens. Maree has also conducted botanical & fungi illustration workshops, presentations and forays for HRBG, University of Newcastle, National Park Associations, Environmental groups, Garden clubs, & Local governments.
Maree’s paintings can be found in private collections throughout Australia and overseas.
Education
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2019 PHD University of Newcastle NSW.
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2012 B Natural History Illustration(Hons Class 1) from the University of Newcastle NSW.
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2004 BA Library & Information Science with a major in Art History in 2004 at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga NSW.
In Publications
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2022 Queensland Mycological Society Calendar (fungi photos)
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2021 Botanical Art Society of Australia newsletter, Issue 80, Autumn 2021 p. 6-8
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2021 Queensland Mycological Society Calendar (fungi photos)
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2020 Queensland Mycological Society Calendar (SEM Images of fungi spores August)
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2019 Find our fungi! Natural Resources Centre SA Murray Darling Basin (Images p. 6 -33)
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2019 Hunter Landcare newsletter Winter 2019 "TIs the time for fungi"
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2019 Queensland Mycological Society Calendar (SEM Images of fungi spores May)
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2018 Queensland Mycological Society Calendar (SEM Images of fungi spores June)
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2016 Roots magazine (Botanic Gardens Conservation International) 13.1 Fungi: Promotion of a Natural Asset
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2016 Pamphlet for visitors Fungi at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
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2015 BGANZ Botanic GardNer Issue 43 Nov 2015 Mycelia connections
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2015 Fungimap Newsletter September 2015 Fungi and Tourism
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2010 Growing Native Plants :Melaleuca gibbosa: Australian National Botanic Gardens, Australian National Herbarium, Canberra
http://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2010/melaleuca-gibbosa.htm
Awarded Scholarships
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2013 Australian Postgraduate Scholarship
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2011 Awarded the Faculty Medal University of Newcastle
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2011 University of Newcastle Honours Scholarship
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2010 A seven week Student’s Volunteer Botanical Internship Program. Australian National Herbarium Canberra
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2008-2009 Summer Scholarship University of Newcastle: Database & catalogue over one thousand artworks bequeathed to the University of Newcastle by renowned artist Margaret Senior.
Presentations
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2022 Children's fungi workshop at Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
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2021 My SciOdyssey "Fungi Fanatics" Hunter Innovation & Science Hub
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2021 BioBlitz at Blackbutt Forest Talk/Walk
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2021 NPA Clyde River Talk/Walk
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2021 Budawang Coast Fungi Talk/Walk
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2019 Natural History Illustration Club (UON)- Smiths Lake Camp
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2019 Tom Farrell Institute University of Newcastle of Newcastle
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2017 Tom Farrell Institute University of Newcastle
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2016 FUNNZ & AMS Queenstown New Zealand conference
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2015 BGANZ conference Wollongong NSW
Exhibitions
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2020 ARS Electronica Art Festival. ARS Electronica voyages. https://ars.electronica.art/
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2016/2017 Newcastle Region Library Lovett Gallery Group exhibition Illuminating Science, Artist talk.
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2015 Mycele Obsession Singleton Library Gallery (Singleton) Artist talk
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2014 From Tears of Fire Group exhibition in collaboration with NSW National
Parks & Wildlife Service and Muswellbrook Art Gallery
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2012 Newcastle University Group Exhibition- Honours exhibition 2011
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2011 Hunter Regional Botanic Gardens Fungi Photographic 2012 Exhibition
Fungi & the Volunteer (curator)
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2011 Exhibition at the Hunter Wetlands Centre Shortland NSW
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2012 An artist’s illustrative appreciation of Fungi Hunter Region Botanic Gardens (Heatherbrae)
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2011 From the Field and Beyond Hunter Region Botanic Gardens (Heatherbrae)
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2011 Water & Weeds Group Exhibition: University Gallery, University of Newcastle - follow on from New Zealand exhibition
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2010 Weeds Drawing Project Group Exhibition Manukau: New Zealand - published in gallery catalogue
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2010 Entomology Competition Darwin – a yearly competition hosted by the Australian Entomology Society
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2010 Newcastle University Group Exhibition
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2009 Entomology Competition Darwin - a yearly competition hosted by the Australian Entomology Society
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2009 The Ark of Science Hunter Region Botanic Gardens
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2008 Max Watters Groups Exhibition – celebrate Max’s birthday and art group activities
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2008 Miniatures Exhibition Muswellbrook Art Gallery NSW
Awarded Prizes
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2004 Finalist TAFE NSW Art & Design Prize – Travelling Exhibition NSW.
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2004 T.A Cook Award: Muswellbrook Local Art Prize. (Acrylic Landscape).
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2002 Semi Finalist TAFE NSW Art & Design Prize – Travelling Exhibition