WHEN up-and-coming artist Jessica Meggs signed up for a street art workshop in Warrnambool in January, she had no idea where it would lead.
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“I did the workshop with Bonsai (AKA former Warrnambool resident Scottie Neoh) and Ghostpatrol and it was awesome,” the 22-year-old said.
“We worked on the culvert (at Mortlake Road) and then the boys dragged me in to help with the Lake Pertobe Maze.
“It was awesome just to get the practice.”
Warrnambool Art Gallery curator of exhibitions and outreach Gareth Colliton, who also took part in the workshops, realised Meggs’ talents and suggested her for the city’s street art program.
Despite being daunted at first, Meggs has risen to the challenge, creating a sea-themed mural on two walls at the Ozone carpark end of Patloch Lane.
“It’s only the third time I’ve done anything with spray cans – I’m still learning,” she said.
Bad weather has stretched the project out of two months instead of the proposed two or three weeks, but Meggs proudly put the finishing touches on the artwork on Tuesday.
“It was really daunting – I’d never done anything so big before,” she said.
“I was happy they asked me to do it.”
The only rule imposed on Meggs was that it her work had to match the sea theme of the rest of the alleyway.
Artists Fiona Clarke, Sarah Carrucan, Kate Gane and Nathan Pye have already contributed to the rejuvenation of Patloch Lane, and Meggs found their input invaluable.
“I wanted to keep it very graphic and not detailed because they had a lot of line work (in the rest of the alley),” Meggs said.
“Fiona sent me a lot of images that had inspired her and they inspired me as well.
“I wanted to have movement. I wanted it to look like it was flowing.”
Since beginning the street mural, she has been approached by a local caravan park keen for her to create a similar artwork.
“It’s been really overwhelming how much positive feedback there’s been,” she said.
“People walk past and stop and say they like it.
“It’s important to me that everyone enjoys it.
“I thought it might get a negative response because it’s a bit abstract and it’s graffiti, but I haven’t had any.”
Meggs completed her diploma of visual arts at South West TAFE in Warrnambool last year and was awarded the Peter Lucas Memorial Art Prize, which recognises a top arts student.
As part of her prize she will have an exhibition at the WAG in February.
