HUMANS OF MURWILLUMBAH | PART EIGHT

MADELINE WHITE

Madeline is an illustrator and visual artist working from her home studio situated on Bundjalung land in Murwillumbah, NSW. She specialises in illustrating picture books and creating visuals for editorial, retail, hospitality, education, and tourism sectors. Madeline operates an online shop where she sells prints, originals, textiles, and one of a kind pieces and is often commissioned for original illustrations, paintings and tattoo designs.

1. What brought you to Murwillumbah and what do you love most about living in town or in the surrounding areas? My earliest years were spent living in a country town in QLD. Hot summers, a town pool, country stores, and a big end of year show. When my family moved to the Tweed Coast coast, we’d come for Sunday drives to Murwillumbah seeking that old country town charm and slow pace. I spent a lot of time during my teenage years between my folks who lived in Uki and Pottsville, travelling through Murwillumbah every week. I had an affection for the town from early on, and as my art practice grew, we made family and I sought community for both of those things- I knew i’d want to make a home here. My husband Josh, born in Murwillumbah Hospital, and I moved here in late 2020 with our then 3 month old son. At home, we have a clear view of Mt Wollumbin out of our living room window. We call Mt Wollumbin ‘Magic Mumma/Mumma Wollumbin’ because she really did call us here, held us during some of the most trying times of our lives and nurtured us with a community we could have only dreamt of having for our little family. 
   
   

2. What inspired you to start your business in Murwillumbah? I was already a practising illustrator when I moved here, but I definitely felt inspired to narrow in on picture book illustration while living here in Murwillumbah- a big pivotal moment for me. I do feel that a morning wander around the CBD surrounded by character in the facades of shop fronts, or a sit by the river watching burning cane, and just generally being in a place of rich history and around stories shared by locals of this town, the town really lends itself to the makers here and has played a major role in fuelling my work in illustration.
   
   

3. Can you share a story about a time when the Murwillumbah community came together to support one another? Following the 2022 floods, the compassion, selflessness, teamwork, creativity and togetherness I saw pulsating within the community was so beautiful. That really did shake me to the core, how our town could be compared to the likes of a battleground and yet the Love made by community coming together was so bright and warm and incredibly powerful.
   
   

4. What are some spots in town that you would recommend to visitors? The Museum! for those who want to know more about our town’s history. Great for little ones too! Wednesday Farmers Markets! for all the local goodies. Keith’s! For coffee treats and rad times. The Impy! Then next door for Gelato! So many incredible spaces to visit for gifts or to treat thyself to a good time, but here’s my top 5:

   @littlelove.ofmine
   @bowerbird_emporium
   @polly.mbah
   @flowerista_murwillumbah
   @thecitadel.murbah
   
   

5. How do you envision the future of Murwillumbah? I’d like to see affordable housing solutions! Creative programs for our youth! More live music, panel talks, short film screenings, workshops, food markets. And don’t get me wrong- we love a day of rest, but I’d like to see our town open up on a Sunday. And bring back the dang BANANA FESTIVAL!

CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW MADELINE ON INSTAGRAM!