THREE years ago Jennifer Edwards went to Lithgow to buy a refrigerator from Harvey Norman and ended up purchasing a block of land.
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The gardener, artist and counsellor/psychotherapist was living with her partner Peter Kube at Blackheath prior to them purchasing the five acres in Little Hartley.
"We saw this land for sale in the window at LJ Hooker and came down to have a look at it. We fell in love instantly," she said.
Ms Edwards and Mr Kube turned that block of land into their home with a rustic shed style house, a studio for painting and counselling and used almost an acre for their gardens.
"I guess because I love painting, I think of the garden like it's a big work of art.
"I spend time in Winter moving little poppy seedlings around to compliment other plants and colours," Ms Edwards said.
In their garden, Ms Edwards and Mr Kube have Flanders and Californian poppies, valerian, lavender, roses, salvias, cornflowers, geraniums, diosma, daisies, snapdragons, cosmos and penstemons, to name a few.
"It's a lot of work to maintain the garden in the different seasons, but I love it, and Pete does most of the really heavy work," Ms Edwards said.
"When the poppies finish in December, I take them out and then all the Dahlias come up and replace them. It looks like a different garden in March, April and May."
Ms Edwards said half of her garden studio was designated to oil painting while the other side was for counselling.
"It's peacefully quiet. A lovely, safe space where people can come for counselling. Rather than a clinical space, the studio looks out onto nature with the gardens, and the mountains in the distance."
"Here people can come and be with nature," she said.
She said that her painting, garden and counselling tied together in a way.
"Anything that supports people to feel safe, peaceful, heard and supported while spending time in a beautiful space, can only benefit their lives and help them move forward.
"Clients are able to enjoy the creativity with the paintings and the beauty and peace of the garden.
"This is a place that supports people to quieten the mind and really be with what's there for them right now."
Ms Edwards' artworks are available for sale from Bespoke On Main in Lithgow and her studio is open by appointment.
You can contact her on 0404531555 or follow her activity on Jennifer Edwards Counselling on Facebook, art.by.jen.edwards on Instagram or visit her website www.jenniferedwardscounselling.com.au
Alanna Tomazin
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Alanna is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald with a focus on education. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at alanna.tomazin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
