DECEMBER 2025: New solo exhibition “Places We Remember” at Brunswick Artists’ Bar, 316 Sydney Rd, Brunswick. 3rd – 31st December 2025. “Places We remember explores the quiet magic of Melbourne’s built landscape — weathered pubs, shopfronts, ageing façades and forgotten corners that still breathe with life. These paintings celebrate the stories etched into the places we move past without noticing, as well as those we return to again and again. Together, they capture a city shaped by memory, routine and change, revealing the character found in both the familiar and the overlooked. Two paintings of buildings in the United States extend this idea beyond Melbourne, reflecting the same lived-in beauty in cities like Chicago and New Orleans.This collection invites viewers to pause, look closer, and rediscover the spaces that hold history, mood and the quiet traces of the people who’ve passed through them.”

NOVEMBER 2025: I’m thrilled and honoured to be part of FITZROY NOW with such a talented group of artists! Showing at Marios, Fitzroy from 30th September – 20th October.

“FITZROY NOW is an exhibition comprised of artworks by contemporary Australian artists showcasing work at the forefront of their practices. This year the exhibition will include another dream line up.” Presented at Marios, 303 Brunswick Street in the heart of Fitzroy. Curated by @artseleven, supported by @plakkit_

I’m thrilled to be a finalist in the Mini Series Art Prize Exhibition! Opening Friday 8th August. The exhibition will run until 17th August at the Corner Store Gallery, 382 Summer Street, Orange, NSW.

BOOK LAUNCH AT BUTCHERS BREW BAR, SYDNEY Saturday May 24th, 2pm

I’m so excited to be launching Blues Portrait Volume 5 this Saturday 24th May at Butcher’s Brew, Dulwich Hill, Sydney! 🎉 I’ll be joining George Rigatos and Willie J Maxwell for a conversation about books, music and more from 2 – 4pm, followed by a performance by the Jesse Redwing Trio (Jesse, Harry Brus and Luke Herbert) featuring special guest Willie J from 4.30 – 7pm. (Doors open at 1pm). Copies of Blues Portrait Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4. and 5 will be on sale at the event. ⭐️ GEORGE RIGATOS is one of the most in-demand bass players & guitarists on the Sydney Blues & Roots Scene, known for his strong groove & versatility. Winner of the 2024 Sydney Blues Society Members’ Poll ‘Guitarist of the Year’, George is also kept busy as convenor of Rox ‘n Jam, connecting musicians at all levels in jams & workshops across Sydney. ⭐️ WILLIE J MAXWELL was captured by the blues from a young age. He grew up listening to his parent’s record collection – Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, BB King, Buddy Guy & classic ‘70s rock. At the ripe age of 5, Willie J picked up his first guitar. When he turned 13, he started his first band. Having worked his way through metal & hard rock, he has now returned to his passion, his love of the blues. As a solo artist, Willie J puts his spin on blues classics as well as throwing in some original tunes – turning it up to 11 with high energy rock & roll, soulful timbre & sick guitar licks. He plays with passion and energy that is hard to match. LIMITED TICKETS LEFT! $8 prebook or $10 on the door for the launch event, or $20 for both events (launch plus Jesse Redwing Trio): https://www.stickytickets.com.au/ejhw2/book_launch_blues_portrait_vol_5__pauline_bailey_vic___live_at_butchers_brew_bar.aspx **This Event is part of the Dulwich Hill Relit Festival.

NEW RELEASE! Blues Portrait Volume 5. Order here

Launching on April 5 – BLUES PORTRAIT VOLUME 5! Pre-Orders available now. Facebook Event

About the book: Blues Portrait Volume 5 is the fifth book in a series about the Australian blues scene. Forty musicians talk about their influences, creative experiences, and how blues music has inspired their individual musical journeys.

Latest commission for the lovely folks at the Brunswick Ballroom! “Brunswick Ballroom, Artists’ Bar” – mixed media on canvas, 61 x 61cm. This piece will be on permanent display in the Brunswick Ballroom.

I have two pieces in the 9 x 5 group exhibition at the Drum Theatre Foyer, Dandenong Victoria! Exhibition dates: Monday 10 February – Friday 2 May. Opening Event – Saturday 15 February, 3pm-5pm. Opening times: Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm. “Discover the creativity of nearly 200 artists from across Australia. Now in its 17th year, Arts in Greater Dandenong’s 9 by 5 Exhibition is a contemporary take on the iconic 1889 Australian Impressionists’ exhibition. Pioneered by Australian artists Tom Roberts, Charles Conder, Arthur Streeton, and Frederick McCubbin who created art on 9 x 5 inch cigar box lids. The exhibition features a vibrant mix of paintings, drawings, photography and more, each confined to the compact dimensions of 9 x 5 inches (22.86cm x 12.7cm)”

I’m so excited to be a finalist in the 2025 “Inside This Box” Exhibition at the Corner Store Gallery, Orange, NSW! Exhibition Dates: February 12th – 22nd. Online Sales Launch: February 11th, 8pm. Opening Night: February 14th, 6pm

The “Looking Back, Looking Forward” exhibition has been extended to the end of December and a few pieces have moved into the foyer of the beautiful Brunswick Ballroom next door to the Artists’ bar!

OPENING SATURDAY 16th NOVEMBER – SOLO EXHIBITION: “Places I Have Been, Things I Have Seen” WAS Gallery, 37 Latrobe Street, Warragul. 16th Dec – 21st Dec 2024

OPENING THURSDAY 14th NOVEMBER FROM 5PM!

My latest exhibition at Thin Slizzy takes the viewer on a tour along Johnston Street which is dotted with many interesting bars and buildings and spans three suburbs: Fitzroy, Collingwood, and Abbotsford. The journey also extends beyond Johnston Street to include other Melbourne suburbs. Some of the buildings are well-known, others are places that people pass by without a second glance, but they all have some little quirk or interesting feature. Many of these buildings no longer exist, but using my own photographs as a painting reference, I hope to breathe new life into them and preserve some of their history.

NOV. 2024 Currently showing at Brunswick Artists’ Bar, 316 Sydney Rd. Brunswick: “Looking Back, Looking Forward”, 3rd Nov. – 1st Dec 2024

August 2024 – Feature article in Volume 6 of Jimmy Hornet Magazine. Available from jimmyhornet.com RRP $28.00. Thank you to Anthea Palmer for the feature and the wonderful intro! “Meet a vibrant painter who breathes new life into iconic music venues. Starting her artistic journey at 40 with stencil street-art portraits of legendary musicians like Bon Scott and Billy Thorpe, she seamlessly transitioned to capturing the spirit of the venues she loves. Born and raised in Melbourne, she now calls Gippsland home but still indulges her love for live music across the city and beyond. Her paintings are more than just art; they are a heartfelt effort to preserve the rich history and cherished memories of these musical landmarks, many of which are sadly disappearing. From the gritty charm of “Pony” to the lively Lulie Tavern”, her work tells the story of Melbourne’s musical heartbeat, one quirky building at a time”.

MAY 2024

Solo exhibition: “City To Country” – West Gippsland Arts Centre, Warragul, Victoria. 6th May – 2nd June 2024.

APRIL 2024

Solo exhibition “From Home to Home” – Station Gallery, Yarragon 3^rd – 28^th April 2024. Catalogue below, click on description to purchase or buy direct from the Gallery. Purchases can be picked up at the end of the exhibition on 28th March. (Email baileypauline38@gmail.com to arrange an alternative date). Payment options include Paypal, Bank Deposit, Afterpay, Cash on Delivery and payment over the phone.

MARCH 2024

Only a week left to see my exhibition “Take A Look Around” at Mr. Burch, 129 McKinnon Rd. McKinnon! Exhibition ends on Thursday 28th March. Catalogue here

FEBRUARY 2024

Thanks to the Baw Baw Arts Alliance for the lovely article in this month’s newsletter. Looking forward to exhibiting at the Station Gallery Yarragon in April.

Pleased to announce that I have been selected to exhibit at West Gippsland Arts Centre in April! I’m also excited to be part of the artist’s showcase between 3.30 and 7pm at the open day this Friday 9th Feb. Pop in and say Hi if you’re in the area!

Corner of Smith and Albert Streets, 1 Civic Pl, Warragul.

DECEMBER 2023

Biblio Art Prize Group Exhibition – Blarney Books & Art, 37 James Street, Port Fairy, Victoria. Official opening: Sat 9th Dec, 7pm. Exhibition dates: 9th Dec. 2023 – 29th Feb. 2024. Full exhibition online here

So pleased to be featured in the summer edition of Gippsland Life Magazine! Read the “Blues and Hues” article below or click here to view online.

Blues and Hues – by Ken Roberts. Gippsland Life Magazine, Issue #57, December 2023

“It’s rare that the interests of childhood translate to what in adulthood become our passions. Pauline Bailey, now living near Heyfield but from her early life in Melbourne, has been able to maintain these interests and turn them into her life’s work and constant joy. From an early age growing up in a home with both parents sharing a love of music, Pauline too loved music. Combined with an interest in drawing, art and books she would never realize that later in life these would fill her days.

Growing up in Melbourne Pauline always loved the city lifestyle and the urban landscape that would have a lasting imprint upon her. She was in the perfect place to indulge her passion for music. She was fortunate to have seen her first musical gig at school with a visit by James Freud and band playing a concert. While most of her peers were watching Countdown at six on Sunday evening Pauline, through a school classmate, was able to get tickets to tapings and watch the magic happen live. She remembers seeing many popular acts of the day and being a part of the crush of the audience and the heady thrill of being in the midst of what would later be seen as an iconic time in the country’s musical history, something the majority of teenagers could not even dream of happening! At 16 she went to her first real music gig to see Rose Tattoo, never suspecting that many years later she would become friends with members of the band.

Her interest in live music gigs continues until present day. She has travelled across the country and even the US, visiting Chicago in 2019 with her husband Dave to indulge in her lifelong passion for the Rolling Stones and going to their concert at Soldier Field Stadium. She was and still is a regular at Melbourne music venues and while once attending a taping of the SBS show “Rockwiz” even became a contestant. Brian Nankervis the host became a friend and later opened two of Pauline’s art exhibitions in his own rock wiz style!

From her home in the bush on the outskirts of Heyfield with idyllic vistas, Pauline paints and writes, and lives with her supportive husband Dave who has a mutual love of music. Her now adult children Melissa and Shane also have a common interest in music albeit not as passionately as their mother! They have attended numerous gigs with their mum over the years and Shane has been playing guitar since he was very young. Now a grandmother to Melissa’s little boy, adorable Henry, Pauline surely hopes that this family fervour continues, it won’t be without trying!

Pauline has become an historian of sorts as she has a passion for recording images and stories before they disappear. Growing up in the city she loved the gritty reality of buildings and scenes, places and sights that most others wouldn’t look twice at. A much-loved series of her works were detailed paintings of tiles in Melbourne train stations such as Flinders Street and Richmond. These images were passed by on a daily basis by thousands and yet she could see the beauty that others had missed. Everywhere she goes now she photographs buildings, often decrepit, that may soon disappear. She will later paint these, and they include many locations in Gippsland as well as the city.

Pauline returned to study art formally in her forties and then never looked back. She has an impressive and constant list of individual and group exhibitions with her works selling frequently. It was through a sale of one of her paintings to him that she met Kim Volkman, a Melbourne musician, who would become a good friend and have an amazing impact on her life. As a friend he would tell her many stories about his life and musical journey and at some point she suggested that they should be recorded somewhere. This became the impetus for Pauline to begin the process and the result was her first book, a writing collaboration with Kim, “The Devil Won’t Take Charity” about Kim’s life story. It was to be a pivotal experience.

During her early love of rock music she also slowly began a love for blues music. She discovered that many of her favourite artists also were inspired by the genre. After writing the biography of Kim Volkman she decided to learn more but found that there was very little written about the blues music scene and the many artists in it. As with her paintings where she loved to preserve images of buildings before they were lost, she could see that it would be very valuable to record the stories of blues artists before it was too late. She began with one story after approaching an artist she liked and proposed an interview with the idea of creating a book telling blues artists’ stories. Pauline wrote down a wish list of musicians she would like to interview. This list became longer and longer as her subjects would often suggest others. She began a constant round of sourcing and interviewing musicians around Australia over an 18-month period which through her hard work and dedication resulted in “Blues Portrait: A Profile of the Australian Blues Scene” released in 2019. Through this self-published book Pauline unexpectedly created her own niche. She related the stories of these people and gave them voices that would otherwise have never been heard, something that hadn’t been done before.

Pauline’s literary venture was very well received, and the book became successful, especially within the blues and music world. Her “problem” was that she had barely scratched the surface of her long list of names and so she continued on. During this time there was a worldwide pandemic which while shutting down the live music scene still gave Pauline the opportunity to research and talk to musicians on the phone and write their stories. The result was that she had enough interviews to create Volumes 2 and 3 together and launch them at the same time. Again, they were very well received, and the story continued with more artists to interview. “Blues Portrait” Volume 4 was the result of this further endeavour.

Nobody should underestimate the level of commitment and constant effort required to complete these works and the results show Pauline’s dedication and skill in achieving these goals. An acknowledgement of her success is the constant demand for her series of books which have gone around the country and overseas. Still, her list of subjects has not been exhausted and Pauline continues to work on future volumes. All this while still painting and planning future exhibitions. She is an amazing woman!”

NOVEMBER 2023

OCT/NOV 2023

SOLD!! Three paintings off to new homes – The Drunken Poet, West Melbourne, Sale Milk Supply No. 2 and McDonald Street Milkbar.

SEPTEMBER 2023

AUGUST 2023

Blues Portrait Volume 4 is launching on Saturday 9th September with a special Saturday session of Stingo Blues at the Yorkshire Stingo, 48 Hoddle Street, Street, Abbotsford, Vic 3067. Live music from The Blow Out and Damon Smith.

JULY 2023

APRIL 2023

9 by 5 Exhibition – Walker Street Gallery & Arts Centre
Cnr. Walker and Robinson Streets, Dandenong. A nationally recognised exhibition that celebrates diversity within the arts community. Now in its 16th year, the 9 by 5 Exhibition proves that small things can have a big impact. Exhibition dates: Tuesday 18th April – Friday 7th July

Opening Event – Saturday 22 April, 2pm-4pm

L – R: Brunswick Steet Window; Cherry Bar Little Collins St; St Kilda Sea Baths (Detail).

SEPTEMBER 2022 – Thrilled to be selected as a finalist for the 2022 Paddington Art Prize with The Tote, Collingwood! Defiance Gallery, 12 Mary Place, Paddington NSW 2021. 27th October to 6th November 2022.

Upcoming solo exhibition – “Real Life” at Thin Slizzy Pizzeria, 115 Johnston St, Collingwood. 27th October – 23rd November 2022

AUGUST 2022

MAY 2022

Big thanks to Stefan at the Gippy Times for the article!

March 2022

Big thanks to Geoff Hughes for having me as a guest on his Writer’s Show podcast!

My episode can be found here:

https://www.thewritersshow.com/pauline-bailey-blues-portrait

February 2022

Solo exhibition, “A Sense of Place” 22nd February – 18th March

Bendigo Bank Art Space, 282 Lygon St. Carlton

“A Sense of Place” explores the themes of location, structure, belonging and attachment.

February 2022

Just under three weeks left to see the Linden Postcard Show 2021-22! Exhibition finishes on Sunday 27th February.

My solo exhibition “A Sense of Place” was postponed last year but it’s all set to go ahead next month! Opening launch parties are not permitted at the moment unfortunately, but the exhibition will be on display from 22nd Feb. – 18th March. Opening hours are 9.30 am – 2pm Monday to Friday, Bendigo Bank Art Space, 282 Lygon St, Carlton.

Pleased to once again be part of the Linden Postcard Show exhibition: 4th December- Sunday 27 February 2022 at Linden New Art, St Kilda.

Blues Portrait Volumes 2 and 3 Official Launch – 12th November 2021. Click links below for book trailers:

Volume 2: https://online.fliphtml5.com/myoex/jhpt/

Volume 3: https://online.fliphtml5.com/myoex/abai/

Blues Portrait Volume 2 and 3 are due for release in November! Pre-order now – links below.

August 2021 – Sorry to announce that my solo show “A Sense of Place” in Carlton has been postponed until February due to Covid… 😞  

January 2021: e-Gift Cards are now available – To order please visit:
https://squareup.com/gift/1A80Q76R2CE39/orde

Last week to see Linden Postcard Show ~ Three works on display: Licorice Allsort, Marble Swirl (SOLD) and Paris Streetscape 74 (SOLD)

Oct. 2020 – Albert College Virtual Art Show – 16th – 18th October 2020 

June 2020

Orange + White Exhibition ~ Slipway Gallery – 480 The Esplanade, Lakes Entrance, Victoria   *Dates to be announced

March 2020

Meeniyan Art Gallery has made the sad but necessary decision to close from Tuesday 24th for the next few months. This means my exhibition will be coming down early instead of running until the end of the month. Thanks to everyone who came to the opening and everyone who visited and made a purchase! The gallery will be open this Sunday and Monday (22nd & 23rd) if anyone wants to pop in and see the works before they come down.

February 2020

Current exhibition: City & Country – Solo exhibition at Meeniyan Art Gallery, 84 Whitelaw Street, Meeniyan Victoria. 6th Feb – 30th March 2020

February 2020

Thanks to Sharon Brookes for the wonderful review of Blues Portrait in What’s My Scene magazine.

DECEMBER 2019

I’m back at Mr. Burch Cafe in McKinnon for the months of December and January! Work will be on show from 1st Dec 2019 – 31st January 2020.

NOVEMBER 2019

A new project I’ve been working on is being launched on Sunday, 10th November at 2pm at The Rainbow, 27 St David Street, Fitzroy. “Blues Portrait – A profile of the Australian blues scene” contains interviews with forty-six musicians. 7 x 10-inch softcover, first edition. 386 pages. $39.00 plus $10 postage Australia wide. Books are available for purchase through the online store.

AUGUST 2019

Pleased to be invited to hang some paintings at Mr. Burch Cafe in McKinnon again! Work will be on show from 6th – 31st August then I’ll be back in December with some new pieces.

March 2019 – Will be sad to say goodbye to the Cherry Bar in AC/DC Lane, I’ve painted this iconic bar many times. Looking forward to the final street party on the 30th and to rocking on in its new location! 🍒🤘🎸⚡️🎵

Nov. 2018 – Linden Postcard Show opening this Friday 23rd November at Linden New Art, 26 Acland St. St Kilda. 23rd Nov – 10th Feb 2019

September 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

JUNE 2018

Our Three Palettes exhibition has been extended until July 20th!

Three Palettes ~ Bailey Masin and Roberts, City Library Gallery, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

JUNE 2018

Thank you to everyone who came along to the opening of Three Palettes!

MARCH 2018

Thanks so much to Carla O’Brien for posting this on her Instagram page #carlaobriencarla – “This is a divine painting by Pauline Bailey of the entrance to Melbourne’s iconic Cherry Bar which features the neon I created. Swipe left to compare – she captured it beautifully. Wall art down AC/DC Lane constantly evolves but the Cherry neon and great live music is always there.”

JANUARY 2018

Thank you to the Criterion Hotel in Sale for displaying a selection of my work! Criterion Hotel, 90 MacAlister St. Sale, Victoria.

I have four pieces in the Linden Postcard Show this year, Linden New Art, Domain House, South Yarra. 12th Nov 2017 – 12th Jan 2018

AUGUST 2015

Finalist – Flanagan Art Prize, St. Patrick’s College, Ballarat, Victoria.
The full list of finalists can be viewed here:
http://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/en/students-parents-staff/music-and-performing-arts/flanagan-art-exhibition/

June 2015

Finalist – Lethbridge 10000 Small Scale Art Award, Lethbridge Gallery, 136 Latrobe Terrace Paddington, QLD.

APRIL 2015

Fifth place in the Painting and Other category and ninth place in the Overall Winning Artist’s category with Inner City Blues, 122 x 91cm. Light Space and Time Online Gallery CityScapes competition, Florida, USA.

http://www.lightspacetime.com/cityscapes-2015-painting-other-category/

http://www.lightspacetime.com/cityscapes-2015-overall-category/www.lightspacetime.com/

NOVEMBER 2014

Finalist – Hornsby Art Prize, Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, 25 Edgeworth David Ave, Hornsby, NSW. – Subway 9 and The Rainbow, Fitzroy.
August 2014: Finalist – Flanagan Art Prize, St. Patrick’s College, Ballarat, Victoria.

http://www.stpats.vic.edu.au/art_exhibition.php

MARCH 2014

Finalist – She Exhibition, Walker Street Gallery Dandenong, Victoria – She – Riff, 91 x 61cm, Mixed media on canvas

FEBRUARY 2014

Highly Commended Award for Subway 9 at Grand Art Exhibition, Cardinia Cultural Centre, Pakenham, Victoria

OCT/NOV 2013

Finalist Fleurieu Art Prize, McLaren Vale, South Australia

2011

Finalist – St. Michael’s Grammar Archangel Prize, St Kilda, Victoria

NOVEMBER 2010

Milk Magazine cover competition finalist

© Pauline Bailey