The first time I caught a glimpse of the space that I came to discover as Fluffy, was in early 2024 and I was beguiled by it. I adored the light airiness of its structure along with the elegance of what I would believe to be a rather iconic desk, each side a mirrored plane to reflect the gentle openness of the walls it reflected. 

I think I wanted to figure this mysterious delight out for myself.

I remember trying to figure out where or what the space was after seeing it featured on the Instagram stories of a few women I followed down in Melbourne. I even think someone captioned their story with “if you know, you know” and oh my— I wanted to know so badly. I hadn’t seen any tags and while I really should have reached out, I think I wanted to figure this mysterious delight out for myself.

In May last year I held a pop-up in Fitzroy which, naturally as a one-person business, took over my mind, body and soul for a couple of months. When I surfaced at the other side of my pop-up, having returned back to Queensland; a beautiful, voice-note extraordinaire named Coral had reached out and expressed her apologies for not having made it in to see me while I was down in Melbourne. Coral is a very talented event planner and while I would have adored to have met, I knew her schedule is often packed tight. 

I learned the name: Fluffy, searched it in Instagram and there I found the heavenly, light-filled space I’d been enchanted by for months. 

As we implored to meet next time, Coral told me of a friend who she’d shown my work to and who owned a studio space in Cremorne. Flatteringly, I learned that she had loved my pieces and was interested in featuring them at her studio. I learned the name: Fluffy, searched it in Instagram and there I found the heavenly, light-filled space I’d been enchanted by for months. 

In just one phone call with Abbie I felt so valued and filled with a self-belief that I hadn’t necessarily had beforehand; a quality that she undoubtedly extends upon her studio clients and the people around her each day.

Fluffy studio sits at the forefront of Melbourne's beauty scene and specialises in creating some of the most luscious brows in the business. Not only is the artistry so evident and the space so lovely, but the founder and director is the kindest, sweetest person I’ve possibly ever met. In just one phone call with Abbie I felt so valued and filled with a self-belief that I hadn’t necessarily had beforehand; a quality that she undoubtedly extends upon her studio clients and the people around her each day. It’s no wonder that the space she created is so open and beautiful, or that her clients swiftly become passionate Fluffy advocates. 

cemented in my foundations is the non-negotiable belief that I have in timing and serendipity

I’ve learnt I can never be too certain of anything as a full-time artist of five years, but cemented in my foundations is the non-negotiable belief that I have in timing and serendipity. I always believe that the right opportunities come by when I’m ready for them and what a sweet opportunity this is. When I finally found Fluffy, had the marvellous fortune of meeting Abbie and was so warmly welcomed to showcase my paintings in her lovely space, I knew meaningful connections were very close by and that the timing was perfect. 

I believe each woman has an entirely unique build-up of spirit—  some are similar, some dissimilar—  all holding abilities much greater and eternal than the immediacy of form. 

My work explores the feminine condition and the complex ways that we as women connect, associate and disassociate with one another and ourselves. I’ve always been interested in where we perceive our value to lie and how that affects the way we carry ourselves. Painting throughout the past five years has been a way for me to not only dismantle and reposition some of the perceptions of value that I have about myself, but has also enriched my ability to celebrate the value of each feminine spirit held or sought within my collector-base. I believe each woman has an entirely unique build-up of spirit—  some are similar, some dissimilar—  all holding abilities much greater and eternal than the immediacy of form. 

I have always felt like my pieces arrive in front of the right people at the right time, whether to be collected or to simply remind the viewer of their intangible beauty. 

I’m excited to see who finds a reflection of themselves or someone precious, in my paintings at Fluffy and can’t wait to meet someday soon. 

We’re planning for some fun down in Cremorne very soon and I’ll be detailing viewing opportunities shortly, but in the meantime if you have any enquiries please email hell@bynarjiabrownlie.com <3

The full collection of work at Fluffy is available on my website here. 

Photography by Nicole Squelch.