Artist in Residence: Ros Handy

In celebration of Spicers Peak Lodge‘s 20th anniversary, we are welcoming Ros Handy who will be creating and showcasing her art exclusively within our lodge.

Ros will be setting up her easel in the lobby, where you can experience a unique opportunity to engage with her creative process up close. Join us for a luxurious and inspiring stay at Spicers Peak Lodge, or enjoy the best of Australian flavours with lunch at The Peak restaurant, and watch masterpieces come to life.

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ABOUT THE ARTIST

In the 1990s, Ros Handy was quite a prominent watercolourist in Brisbane. With one-man exhibitions, watercolour awards, and teaching to her name, she also travelled extensively overseas for painting workshops. In 2000, she gave this up to follow another avenue in her career – building design and project management for Spicers Retreats.

Jude Turner, the founder of Spicers Peak Lodge and Ros’ sister, requested Ros’ help to renovate Spicers Hidden Vale. It was just the two of them working on a big project – Ros was the project manager and designed floor plans for the new buildings, Jude was the chief ferreter of furniture and fabrics, and they both worked on the decorations together.

During the lengthy refurbishment that ended up being a four-year project, the Turners purchased the land that Spicers Peak Lodge now sits on. As project manager, Ros’ vision for the place grew and changed over the course of months, and she drew up an ever-changing plan for them. Ros and Jude purchased furniture and painting over a two-year timeframe before it was completed – items were stored all over Brisbane and fitted into place. They had no water, no power, no shelter, and the road was dirt and dangerous. They built the manager’s small cottage first, and it was constructed by a builder from Warwick who camped out in his horse float during the project. Later, they combined the efforts of a Brisbane builder with the Warwick builder, and the collaboration proved successful. The project was completed in April 2004.

Since 2018, Ros has been back to doing and teaching watercolour and has become passionate about mixed media which incorporates her love of the watercolour medium.