A FEW years ago, artist Faith Bernadette Preece arrived in Bridgetown seeking the promise of a simpler life.
"I chose the simple life, close to nature, and in gratitude for what the earth gives us," Ms Preece said.
Ms Preece is working towards accomplishing herself as a photographer and as an artist of various skills.
Currently she has a number of hand crafted baskets made out of local flora on exhibit and for sale at Pip Mill's Bridgetown Pottery Restaurant.
She hopes to soon have her first photographic exhibition at the well-known location.
Prior to moving to live in Bridgetown Ms Preece spent time living in the state's north-west and in northern Queensland.
"Everything in our lives comes from the earth and after walking through the desert with an Aboriginal Elder lady, we came across what we thought was just a withering plant,” she said.
“We stopped and started digging and uncovered an edible bush yam.
"She then proceeded to cover up the earth saying we must not leave holes in mother earth, so it can grow again."
Ms Preece said while living in the Kimberley she had the privilege to meet a Warmun Aboriginal Elder, Patrick Mung Mung.
"We were camping nearby a creek with children of the Warmun community,” she said.
“He told me he had returned from the USA where he attended the Indigenous Peoples of the World conference.
“He found affinity in their stories, beliefs and dreaming.
"Sometimes I feel that materialistic cultures could learn from many of our indigenous people worldwide.
“These experiences inform my art, my photography, the lens from which I view and understand the world.
"How can we live in harmony, respect and gratitude with the earth and one another?"
Ms Preece started hand crafting baskets out of local flora after she was struck by the question of what the first baskets and pots were made of.
At the time she had been making clay pottery.
Aboriginal people first made baskets out of local flora and carried their food and goods within them.
Ms Preece said subsequently they packed the framework with clay so the vessel could hold water.
Contemplation led to hardening the clay with fire.
While in Queensland's Daintree, Ms Preece met Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal Elder, Wilma Walker.
"She told me when she was a little girl the 'white man' came to steal the children and her grandmother hid her in a 'dili' bag next to a billabong until the 'white man' had gone,” she said.
“She told me with great sadness that all her brothers and sisters were taken."
Mrs Walker's husband suggested to his wife that she make 'dili' bags to help with her grief and the symbolism would have a healing effect.
"She took me to see her beautiful creations," Ms Preece said.
“I was in awe.”
She has since been inspired to the hand crafting.
Ms Preece's photography of Bridgetown accumulated during 2010 and last year and she hopes it visualises a Bridgetown that everyone sees, experiences, knows and enjoys.
"My handmade baskets are at Bridgetown Pottery and will be there throughout the summer and I hope to soon achieve my first photographic exhibition,” she said.
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