Mudgee artist Georgia Mansur will speak to the women of rural Australia at the first National Rural Women’s Conference next week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
More than 30 presenters including fashion designer Liz Davenport, ABC presenter Geraldine Doogue and celebrated cook Maggie Beer will speak at the inaugural conference from February 18 to February 20.
The conference has four themes - Big Challenges, Big Business, Big Networks and Big Inspiration - and Ms Mansur will speak as part of the Big Inspiration quadrant.
Ms Mansur will tell her audience that living in the country does not need to be an obstacle to creativity.
“You can still do what you want to do,” she said.
“You’re not trapped if you’re living in the country,”
While living on a Mudgee property, Ms Mansur teaches art from Grafton to the south of France, and next month will exhibit in New York City.
“That is actually possible if you expand your vision,” she said.
“I firmly believe that, and I’m living that.”
She believes the key is maintaining focus, having goals and “backing yourself”.
“I think you have to be pretty stubborn - that’s a good quality to have,” she said.
“You have to be a good planner. Time management is critical.
“You never lose sight of the big picture, what it is you want to accomplish.”
Ms Mansur took up painting after moving from California to a property west of Moree.
She remembers the isolation she felt and the hunger for culture that would draw the whole community to support any creative event that came to the area.
When she teaches in an isolated area, she now likes to provide a scholarship that the organising group can present to a promising student or someone without the financial resources to attend.
“The thing that I enjoy about what I do particularly is taking some of the arts into the country,” she said.
“I appreciate it; I have been that person.”