Michelle has created something beyond words for these collections and I cannot wait to share them with you.
Can you share a little about yourself and your journey as an artist?
I am a watercolour artist living in the sunny coastal town of Yeppoon, Queensland. From my Cape Cod–inspired seaside cottage, I paint in a light-filled studio where my paintings are a natural extension of my surroundings — elegant, coastal, and full of quiet charm.
In 2025, my painting George was selected for exhibition at the prestigious Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours annual exhibition at Mall Galleries, London — an international honour and proud milestone in my emerging career. Notably, the same exhibition also featured two paintings by His Majesty King Charles III.
Deeply inspired by the detail of John James Audubon and the refined precision of John Gould, my work is a heartfelt celebration of the natural world. Watercolour — with its softness and elegance — allows me to capture each subject with care and quiet reverence.
Living by the reef and surrounded by wetlands, I’m constantly reminded of nature’s balance and resilience. Wetlands in particular inspire me with their ability to nurture birdlife, filter water, and sustain so much of our ecosystem. That sense of harmony flows through my work and made this collaboration with Outback Linen especially meaningful.
What inspires your work, and where do you draw most of your creativity from?
Nature is my greatest muse. I’m especially inspired by the fragile, interconnected ecosystems around me — the wetlands, the reef, and the birdlife that depends on them. Wetlands, in particular, fascinate me because they’re like nurseries for so much life. They filter water, provide sanctuary, and support both native and migratory birds. That sense of abundance and balance is what I try to capture in my work.
What pieces have you designed for Outback Linen? If more than one, which was your favourite?
I’ve created several watercolour pieces that celebrate wetland life — from elegant waterbirds to the delicate plants that thrive in these ecosystems. My favourite would have to be the kingfisher, because it feels like the perfect expression of how wetlands nurture life and bring such diversity of colour and form.
Which piece in this collection feels most personal to you, and why?
The kingfish feels most personal because it connects me back to my own walks through wetland areas, where I’ve watched birds gather and fish dart beneath the water’s surface. Those quiet, reflective places have shaped my art and remind me of how vital these ecosystems are for both wildlife and people.
Can you walk us through your design process for these pieces?
I began by studying the shapes, colours, and rhythms of wetland life — the curve of a bird’s neck, the ripple of water, the texture of reeds. From there, I sketched compositions that would flow beautifully across fabric. With watercolour, I worked in transparent layers, letting the softness of the medium echo the fluid, life-giving nature of wetlands themselves.
Were there particular symbols, colours, or themes that felt important to weave in?
Yes — I wanted to bring in the calm, natural palette of wetlands: blues and warm neutrals. These colours aren’t just beautiful; they symbolise balance and renewal. Birds and plants were also important motifs, as they’re the most visible expression of a thriving wetland and a reminder of why these ecosystems are so precious.
What challenges or surprises came up while creating for this collection?
The challenge was in translating the gentle complexity of wetlands — they’re full of detail, yet also very serene. Balancing intricacy with a sense of calm was key. The surprise was how well watercolour captured this duality; its unpredictability mirrored the wild, untamed beauty of wetlands.
If these pieces could tell a story, what would you want them to say?
I’d want them to say: “Our wetlands are living treasures. Protect them, celebrate them, and carry their beauty into your daily life.”
What do you hope women feel when they wear the designs you created?
Confident, connected, and effortlessly elegant. I hope they feel the strength of the natural world and also the calmness it brings — like the feeling of standing barefoot on the beach or hearing a kookaburra laugh at dawn.
Do any of the motifs hold a personal memory or connection to your own life?
Yes — the birds in particular. I often spot wetland birds near my home, and they feel like neighbours in the landscape. Painting them is my way of honouring those encounters and sharing the sense of peace I feel in those environments.
What does slow fashion mean to you as an artist?
To me, slow fashion is about thoughtful creation. It’s about making something that lasts — just as wetlands endure and support life for centuries. Slow fashion respects resources, people, and the environment, which feels perfectly aligned with celebrating ecosystems like wetlands.
How do you hope your designs will live on through the women who wear them?
I hope these designs are worn with joy, becoming part of someone’s everyday story. More than that, I hope they spark conversations about the beauty and importance of wetlands, helping to keep these vital ecosystems in people’s hearts and minds.
If you could describe this collection in three words, what would they be?
Grounded. Graceful. Alive.
Michelle Turner
Michelle has created something beyond words for these collections and I cannot wait to share them with you.
Can you share a little about yourself and your journey as an artist?
I am a watercolour artist living in the sunny coastal town of Yeppoon, Queensland. From my Cape Cod–inspired seaside cottage, I paint in a light-filled studio where my paintings are a natural extension of my surroundings — elegant, coastal, and full of quiet charm.
In 2025, my painting George was selected for exhibition at the prestigious Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours annual exhibition at Mall Galleries, London — an international honour and proud milestone in my emerging career. Notably, the same exhibition also featured two paintings by His Majesty King Charles III.
Deeply inspired by the detail of John James Audubon and the refined precision of John Gould, my work is a heartfelt celebration of the natural world. Watercolour — with its softness and elegance — allows me to capture each subject with care and quiet reverence.
Living by the reef and surrounded by wetlands, I’m constantly reminded of nature’s balance and resilience. Wetlands in particular inspire me with their ability to nurture birdlife, filter water, and sustain so much of our ecosystem. That sense of harmony flows through my work and made this collaboration with Outback Linen especially meaningful.
What inspires your work, and where do you draw most of your creativity from?
Nature is my greatest muse. I’m especially inspired by the fragile, interconnected ecosystems around me — the wetlands, the reef, and the birdlife that depends on them. Wetlands, in particular, fascinate me because they’re like nurseries for so much life. They filter water, provide sanctuary, and support both native and migratory birds. That sense of abundance and balance is what I try to capture in my work.
What pieces have you designed for Outback Linen? If more than one, which was your favourite?
I’ve created several watercolour pieces that celebrate wetland life — from elegant waterbirds to the delicate plants that thrive in these ecosystems. My favourite would have to be the kingfisher, because it feels like the perfect expression of how wetlands nurture life and bring such diversity of colour and form.
Which piece in this collection feels most personal to you, and why?
The kingfish feels most personal because it connects me back to my own walks through wetland areas, where I’ve watched birds gather and fish dart beneath the water’s surface. Those quiet, reflective places have shaped my art and remind me of how vital these ecosystems are for both wildlife and people.
Can you walk us through your design process for these pieces?
I began by studying the shapes, colours, and rhythms of wetland life — the curve of a bird’s neck, the ripple of water, the texture of reeds. From there, I sketched compositions that would flow beautifully across fabric. With watercolour, I worked in transparent layers, letting the softness of the medium echo the fluid, life-giving nature of wetlands themselves.
Were there particular symbols, colours, or themes that felt important to weave in?
Yes — I wanted to bring in the calm, natural palette of wetlands: blues and warm neutrals. These colours aren’t just beautiful; they symbolise balance and renewal. Birds and plants were also important motifs, as they’re the most visible expression of a thriving wetland and a reminder of why these ecosystems are so precious.
What challenges or surprises came up while creating for this collection?
The challenge was in translating the gentle complexity of wetlands — they’re full of detail, yet also very serene. Balancing intricacy with a sense of calm was key. The surprise was how well watercolour captured this duality; its unpredictability mirrored the wild, untamed beauty of wetlands.
If these pieces could tell a story, what would you want them to say?
I’d want them to say: “Our wetlands are living treasures. Protect them, celebrate them, and carry their beauty into your daily life.”
What do you hope women feel when they wear the designs you created?
Confident, connected, and effortlessly elegant. I hope they feel the strength of the natural world and also the calmness it brings — like the feeling of standing barefoot on the beach or hearing a kookaburra laugh at dawn.
Do any of the motifs hold a personal memory or connection to your own life?
Yes — the birds in particular. I often spot wetland birds near my home, and they feel like neighbours in the landscape. Painting them is my way of honouring those encounters and sharing the sense of peace I feel in those environments.
What does slow fashion mean to you as an artist?
To me, slow fashion is about thoughtful creation. It’s about making something that lasts — just as wetlands endure and support life for centuries. Slow fashion respects resources, people, and the environment, which feels perfectly aligned with celebrating ecosystems like wetlands.
How do you hope your designs will live on through the women who wear them?
I hope these designs are worn with joy, becoming part of someone’s everyday story. More than that, I hope they spark conversations about the beauty and importance of wetlands, helping to keep these vital ecosystems in people’s hearts and minds.
If you could describe this collection in three words, what would they be?
Grounded. Graceful. Alive.