A Journey into Colour and Creativity

When you step inside StudioMilly, the home studio of Bowral artist Robbie Arrieula, you are welcomed into a world that is at once bold, vibrant and deeply connected to nature. This year, during the Southern Highlands Arts Trail 2025, Robbie invites visitors to experience her collection of paintings that span a dazzling range of subjects, mediums and moods.

A self-taught artist who began her painting journey around 20 years ago, Robbie’s creative practice is guided by an intuitive exploration of light, shade, shape and texture. She embraces multiple mediums – including acrylics, oils, watercolour and inks – allowing her art to evolve fluidly without being confined to a single style or technique. The result is a body of work as diverse as it is captivating, moving easily between landscapes, florals, animals, abstracts and still life.

“I love big, bold colour and texture,” Robbie shares. “My inspiration comes from the countryside and animal life of the French Pyrenees, which I visit every year. But I also draw inspiration from the natural beauty surrounding me here in the Southern Highlands.”

The Artist and Her Studio

Robbie’s creative world is rooted in the everyday rhythms of her home. Her studio, a light-filled room facing east, overlooks her vegetable patch and stretches across paddocks – an outlook that constantly reminds her of the cycles of growth, change and beauty in nature.

But Robbie’s art doesn’t stop at the studio door. She has transformed her entire home into a gallery space. Paintings adorn her walls, displayed as they might appear in the homes of future collectors. For visitors, this creates an immersive and inspiring experience: an opportunity to see art not just as an object on a studio easel, but as part of a lived-in environment.

“My studio is in my house, and my home is my gallery,” she explains. “I display my works throughout the house, which gives you a better idea of how it will sit in your home.”

What Awaits You at StudioMilly During the Arts Trail

One of the great joys of the Southern Highlands Arts Trail is the chance to step into the intimate and personal spaces where creativity happens. At StudioMilly, Robbie ensures her visitors feel welcomed and celebrated.

“When you enter my space and browse my collection of works with a glass of bubbles in hand, you will soon be aware of the diverse range of styles and subjects,” she says. “There is something for everyone!”

From the lively colour bursts of her still life works – ripe pears, sunlit vegetables, or lush flowers – to the moody serenity of her landscapes and the textured movement of her abstract pieces, Robbie’s art never fails to spark curiosity and conversation. Every piece reflects her keen eye for detail, her love of bold compositions and her openness to experimentation.

This dynamic diversity means that whether your tastes lean toward classic naturalism, expressive abstraction, or contemporary still life, you are likely to find something that resonates.

The French Pyrenees Meets the Southern Highlands

Robbie’s annual visits to the French Pyrenees provide an endless well of inspiration. The sweeping countryside, the presence of wildlife, and the play of light across the mountains continually inform her creative practice. Yet her work is equally grounded in the textures and tones of the Southern Highlands.

This blending of places – the French mountains and the Australian highlands – gives her work a distinctive duality: both familiar and foreign, comforting and evocative. It allows her to offer viewers a fresh lens through which to see their own landscapes and surroundings.

A Testament to Self-Taught Passion

Robbie’s journey as a self-taught artist adds another layer of intrigue to her story. Without the constraints of formal training, her art is guided by instinct, curiosity, and play. Over the years, this freedom has given her the confidence to explore multiple genres and techniques, resulting in a body of work that is authentic, diverse, and uniquely her own.

Her willingness to experiment – whether through bold brushwork, layered textures, or shifting colour palettes – demonstrates her commitment to growth as an artist. This sense of exploration is palpable in her paintings, each one carrying with it a freshness and vitality that invites the viewer to step closer.

Why You Shouldn’t Miss StudioMilly

The Southern Highlands Arts Trail is renowned for its celebration of creativity, connection and community, and Robbie Arrieula embodies all of these values. Her home studio is not just a place to view art – it is a place to experience it. 

At StudioMilly, visitors can expect a warm welcome and even a glass of bubbles on arrival, setting the tone for an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. As they wander through her home, they will have the chance to see how artworks look in a lived space, thoughtfully displayed throughout each room. 

Beyond the artworks themselves, guests also enjoy the opportunity to meet Robbie, hear her stories, and learn about the inspiration and process behind her creations. Whether you are a seasoned collector, an art lover seeking inspiration, or simply someone curious about the creative lives of the Southern Highlands, StudioMilly promises an enriching and memorable stop along the trail.

The Southern Highlands Arts Trail 2025 will be held across the first two weekends in November, the 1st & 2nd and 8th & 9th from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily. Studios and creative spaces throughout the region will be open, offering visitors the chance to connect with local artists, discover unique works and enjoy the vibrant creative spirit of the Southern Highlands. Download your map here today!