Meet Your Teacher
Georgie Forbes of Lordy Dordie
Georgie Forbes, known to many as Lordy Dordie, is an Australian artist, art educator, surface pattern designer and creative mentor whose work is celebrated for its bold use of colour and joyful, uplifting spirit. For Georgie, colour is at the heart of her practice — a language of positivity, experimentation and self-expression. Her vibrant paintings and playful patterns transform everyday subjects, from Australian native florals and elements of nature through to colourful abstractions — into works that uplift and inspire. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Art from Griffith University and a Diploma of Fashion and Textiles, Georgie’s creative practice blends her background in fine art, design and fashion to produce works that are both visually striking and emotionally uplifting.
With more than 25 years of creative practice, Georgie has built a thriving career that spans fine art, licensing, teaching, manufacturing and product design. She is represented globally by Jewel Branding & Licensing (USA) and her artworks feature on products across fashion, textiles, stationery, puzzles, homewares, and more. Georgie has collaborated with leading Australian and international brands including Gorman, Annabel Trends, Ruby Olive, American Greetings and P&B Textiles. Georgie has exhibited widely across Australia and has been a finalist in numerous art awards, including the Lethbridge 10,000 Art Award (two consecutive years).
In addition to her design collaborations, Georgie is proud to be a brand ambassador for Winsor & Newton and Liquitex, where she shares her expertise in painting and mixed media through workshops, demonstrations and product development. Alongside this, Georgie also manufactures and creates her own line of Lordy Dordie Art Supplies, including vibrant watercolour palettes and travel-friendly paint brush kits, designed to bring more colour and play into every artist’s creative practice.
As a teacher and mentor, Georgie is known for her welcoming, encouraging approach and is passionate about helping others find confidence in their creativity. She co-hosts the popular Painting to Pattern retreats in Australia, offers 1:1 art business mentoring, teaches workshops around Australia and is currently developing an online platform of courses focused on vibrant mixed media painting and creative business skills. Her retreats and workshops are more than art classes — they are joyful, encouraging and welcoming spaces where participants not only learn new techniques but also reconnect with curiosity, creativity and gain in creative confidence.
For Georgie, art is more than paint on canvas — it’s a joyful practice of connection, storytelling, experimentation, and colour that uplifts both artist and viewer.