Paula Markey

20/02/2026

Baroque Horse Festival 2026 Kryal Castle Ballarat. What a spectacle it was! So many photos of gorgeous horses, beautiful costumes and skilled riders and handlers. Sigh....I will be glued to the computer for weeks! 😍

20/12/2025

Last art work for 2025. Titled, "It's for You" - soft pastel and pastel pencils on black Canson Velvet from my own photo reference.

25/11/2025

Kryal Castle Medieval Festival in Ballarat last Saturday. First big photography day out for me for quite some time. I love these events, but it is always a challenge trying to find good clear shooting spots without getting in the way of spectators - or them getting in my way. And all the other photobombs that happen just as that perfect shot is about to be taken. It has taken me some time to edit the crowds as I am aware of privacy issues. I am happy to post photos of the creative people in costumes who went to so much effort to look so spectacular. The team at Kryal Castle put on an exciting spectacle as always. So fortunate to have this wonderful venue and dedicated displays of medieval skills at arms and horsemanship. Here are some of my favourite photos captures.

29/04/2025

The jousting knights of Kryal Castle.

05/04/2025

Some of the beautiful horses at the Keuring 2025 Victoria Day 4 at Shepherd Hill Farm in Spring Hill. Lots of photos to go through. I get to experience it all again at leisure. It was so fascinating to hear the judges explain the subtleties of judging this spectacular breed. Lovely to catch up with friends and meet new people who share a love of horses. ❤️

30/03/2025

I am looking forward to photographing Keuring 2025 Victoria Day 3 on April 4th at Shepherds Hill Farm Spring Hill.

25/11/2024

My old Darling Axle reclining on his favourite chair in my studio with his favourite blankets.

For 16 years Axle has rested on this chair

The striped blanket above his head was crocheted by my grandmother Myrtle Porter,
It was given to me by my mother when my grandmother passed.
It holds memories of them both
Axle loves to bury himself under it on cold days.

The knitted patchwork blanket was made by the hands of an unknown woman who had spent her time and love to knit a colourful woollen blanket for some unknown person.
I found it in an op shop – so it was made for me and Axle in the end.
It has comforted Axle when he suffered a snake bite and he was transported to the vet wrapped in it.
I brought him home in it and whenever he is feeling sick or cold, he snuggles into it.

There are moth holes in both, but they are loved and appreciated to this day.

I took the photo reference for this pastel with my iphone one warm sunny day.
Axle was dozing happily in the golden warmth.

I could have left it as a photo, but I wanted to capture the moment in pastel,
Study it and feel it - infuse it with my love of all the components – Axle, chair, the blankets and the garden outside the window.
The sunshine of that afternoon.
A tangible composite of tangible loves
The creations of three women
Made with Love

Pinned to my easel is a quote from Kahlil Gibran
“And what is it to work with Love?
It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own Spirit”

Here I Breathe.

16/09/2024

Very happy to have received a Highly Commended Certificate in the Mono Awards 2024 with my photo titled 'Majesty'

17/04/2024