Crafty Aussie makes button versions of music stars including Sir Elton John

Sharyn Harrex has recreated artists including Sir Elton John and Sinead O’Connor.

An Australian woman has used her retirement as an opportunity to combine her love of music and art through making button versions of iconic singers, past and present.

Sharyn Harrex, who lives in Bribie Island North, in Queensland, Australia, has had an interest in art since she was at school, which disappeared and was reignited around five years ago after retiring from her job running her and her family’s own real estate business.

Mrs Harrex's depiction of Prince — Mrs Harrex’s depiction of Prince (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

“That led me to recycling old picture frames, broken jewellery and now more recently buttons to create my art pieces”, the 62-year-old told the PA news agency.

“Old broken jewellery represent art on their own to me so the challenge then is to use these items which are already shaped and coloured to create my own unique pieces for others to enjoy.”

Mrs Harrex's depiction of Lady Gaga — Mrs Harrex’s depiction of Lady Gaga (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

She said she tends to use anywhere between 500 and 1,500 buttons on any one portrait, depending on size and layering, and started making button art about four months ago.

Mrs Harrex's button versions of Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury — Mrs Harrex’s button versions of Michael Jackson and Freddie Mercury (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

Mrs Harrex's depiction of Marilyn Monroe — Mrs Harrex’s depiction of Marilyn Monroe (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

Buttons for her pieces have come from her home, treasure markets and charity shops.

Mrs Harrex's depiction of Pink — Mrs Harrex’s depiction of Pink (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

For her depiction of Sir Elton John, which she said was her “favourite” and so was “first cab off the rank”, she added some unique touches to try and tell a story about who he is.

A closeup image of the Sir Elton John piece (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

“These items help to tell his story and are recognisable to all which is what I am trying to create right down to ensuring the gap in his front teeth is perfectly replicated and of course his statement eyewear which he always wears as part of his attire.”

Mrs Harrex holding her depiction of Sir Elton John — Mrs Harrex said her depiction of Sir Elton John was her favourite (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

“Sinead O’Connor has been a particularly emotional experience due to the sad life she endured, recent passing and her beautiful rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U”, she said.

“Whilst creating this piece I feel like I am putting her back together one button at a time, after being broken.

Mrs Harrex's depiction of Sinead O'Connor — Mrs Harrex’s depiction of Sinead O’Connor (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

Mrs Harrex has shared her work on Facebook and said that seeing comments and positive reactions from social media users has been “extremely humbling”.

Mrs Harrex's depictions of Ed Sheeran and Snoop Dogg — Mrs Harrex’s depictions of Ed Sheeran and Snoop Dogg (Sharyn Harrex/PA)

Sir Rod Stewart, David Bowie, Dolly Parton and Olivia Newton-John are some of the stars who are next on the list for Mrs Harrex.