Hi, I'm Gaby, the founder, designer and maker at Pinch River.

I love Australia. I love our unique flora and fauna. I love the colours of this country and the light. What can I say... ‘I love a sunburnt country...’  

My family's love of the great outdoors meant a childhood where my spirit ran free... whether it was at the beach, in the bush, national parks, botanic gardens or our own backyard. This connection to the outdoors has stayed with me on life's journey, and immersing myself in natural environments is very much a part of my life. 

I also love immersing myself in my creative practice and crafting heartfelt pieces that bring joy to others. Creativity runs in my family, so it was only natural that from a young age I too started expressing my own creativity. I have experimented with many different processes and mediums over the years and before I began in textile design illustration featured strongly for a long period of time. Then I picked up a camera, and I’ve been capturing snapshots of everyday life, nature walks and country drives ever since - which has become a source of inspiration for my textile designs and art. I love the idea of storytelling through my art and designs and I'm on the brink of this becoming a very big part of my creative process.

As for my love of textiles... that comes from my mother. The fabrics in her sewing room seeped into my being from a very young age. Over the years my curiosity led me to embark on a journey of discovery through formal study and other creative pursuits that eventually led me to combine illustration, surface pattern design, textiles and making to shape the foundation of my artistically driven brand.

My curiosity also led to a number of moves throughout my life, starting in the Snowy Mountains as a young adult. During those years I enjoyed spending time exploring the local area, which is when I first came across the Pinch River. Those years left a big impression, perhaps one I was not fully aware of until later in life and, coming full circle, I found myself back here after reconnecting with this region when I was living in Canberra.

In 2019 I settled at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains in the Monaro region. From this place I live a slow, intentional and creative life in my 1950's weatherboard cottage, where I continue to develop and grow my garden, which is predominantly planted with Australian natives. There are very few fences around here and the borrowed landscape features strongly with big, beautiful gum trees everywhere. Up here the houses are nestled into the remnant bush that spills out from North Ridge Reserve. There is a wildlife corridor that cuts through my property and neighbouring properties, and I often get kangaroos and wallabies grazing in my garden, with lots of birds and other wildlife visitors. It’s truly magical.

Head on over here to find out more about the inspiration behind Pinch River.