Artists Diary, week ending 28 September 2014

On The List

What a week - I suppose the enormous highlight would be finding out I am a finalist in the Paddington Art Prize. I enter a lot of these bigger shows, and have been a finalist in quite a few, but it always comes as a surprise and a thrill when I see my name on the list! For me, making it to the Paddington A/P is huge, and I am so looking forward to the opening. First of all I have to get the painting there (its 1.4 x 1.8 metres) so its a bit cumbersome. And I have a constant nervousness that something will happen to it before it gets on the gallery wall.

Sculpture by Norman Lindsay

 

















I visited the Norman Lindsay Gallery in Faulconbridge this week. We are having the most beautiful weather at the moment, so after a leisurely meal in the café, we wandered the grounds and I managed to do some sketching.

At the HCAWorkshop we had fun finished some clay "owl pots". I always wish I had time to make my own.

I am also pleased to say we finally finished the mosaic table. The students from Salisbury made and glazed the tiles and letters, and with some extra pieces of broken tile, the table was mosaicked and grouted. It is SO heavy. Im going to have fun delivering it I think.

Angelique

Saturday was portrait day. Angelique, our model was a delight. And ONE day I may finish one of these portraits of mine.....







I taught a one day workshop for the Parramatta Art Society. By the end of the day the room was full of colour and luscious brushstrokes and tired but happy (so they tell me) students.

Students work
Parramatta Arts Society

I finished 3 paintings this week.

"My Desire", Acrylic on board, 61cm x 92cm



"Reward" Acrylic 61cm square

"The Place I Wait" Acrylic  24"x60"

 This coming week - The Parramatta Art Society Annual Art Awards.

Artists Diary week ending 21 September 2014

Sniffles & Black Looks

Despite having succumbed to a cold virus - which is a weird one - great one day, revolting the next; life goes on and I managed to survive the week well.

Visits to The Art Scene for framing , and deliveries to The Greenhouse Gallery, Galston (twice!) this week.

Greenhouse Gallery

Theres my painting - on the easel!

The classes experienced Coils of clay at the Community Arts Workshop.

Allowed myself some playtime and attended a workshop with the talented Jody Graham. We draw with all manner of items - tennis balls, pieces of wood, scrunched up bits of masking tape, as well as more the traditional charcoal, ink, collage, paint and stencils.

 

 

Jody Graham
Please visit her website and check out her beautiful works
jodygraham.com.au

 

Was lucky enough to be attending class with my mum.
Here's a picture I should entitle "Mum's Black Look",
which I'll probably be getting when she sees Ive posted this here :D

I was so inspired I went home and actually finished a couple of pieces I started there. A nice progression of being inspired by the unfamiliar (materials & using black!) and the familiar (my own painting process and some brighter colour).

"Nature Morte Aux Banksia"

 

"Old Man"

 
 
 
 
 
I also visited Breathing Colours for the opening of the new group show "Cant Wait for Summer". Some very nice works there (including my own :-).

Myself, Gabby Malpas, Kirana Haag, Julie Simmons, & John Klein.

Gabby photobombing my photo, the dip was very good.

 So the week's tally was 5 pieces worked on with 3 finished



Works in Progress



"Cowra Japanese Garden", Acrylic 24"x60"

Coming up - the Parramatta Art Society
Foundation Week Open Art Awards
3 - 12 th October 2014

Artists Diary, week ending 14 September 2014

Keeping up with Deadlines

I thought I'd look up the origin of the word 'deadline' but it wasnt as interesting as it could have been. Although I like the printmaking context. " representing a guideline marked on a plate for a printing press " http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/deadline

Anyway, I managed to keep within another couple - this year has been HUGE. This week I have finished a large commissioned work and managed to bring a couple of new pieces to the North Shore Craft Group's weekend show at the Wildflower Gardens, St.Ives.

But now, I must say despite another commission that needs to be finished; I have had to rest a little. And what happens when you slow down? You lose the momentum and sitting on the couch at night mindlessly looking at a screen (various electronic devices), is the default activity. Actually it appears I have a cold virus that has been percolating in my system, so I probably need to indulge myself a bit.

Really love the stoneware goblets one of my classes made at Hawkesbury Community Arts Workshop

Part of my display at the Wildflower Gardens

And here is a glimpse of my paintings making a good backdrop for the beautiful works
by some other members of the North Shore Craft Group

For those interested in wonderful high quality craft - be sure to come to the North Shore Craft Group's Christmas Exhibition in November at Thornleigh. Stay tuned!

Its been a productive week - finished 2 works and 2 more are nearly done

Coming up:

There is currently a group show on at Breathing Colours Gallery "Cant Wait Til Summer", I have a small number of works there and there are other great artists that are worth checking out.

Im not sure if there are any spaces left - but I have a one day painting workshop in Parramatta with the Parramatta Art Society, feel free to enquire via the link.

Artists Diary Week ending 7 September 2014

Painting in Public, Painting in Private, and everywhere in between.

First of all a short 'movie' in which I try and show the evolution of a painting. Its has given me enormous respect for all those that can actually make movies.

I visited the 'Shire' on Wednesday to see the lovely folk at Sutherland Art Society for a painting demo. I believe I managed to wear a lot of paint, but most of it got onto the canvas, and I have 2 more garden paintings to finish in the near future.

"Heres one I did earlier!" Garden acrylic 24" square

I also visited Breathing Colours to deliver a last minute painting to fill a gap made by work sold. And again on Sunday to pick up what was left over. I have left some of the works for the coming stockroom show, including the painting below.

"Angels Trumpets" 76cm x 101cm

What a great exhibition at Breathing Colours
New friends and 60% of the paintings sold.

  

A lot of painting in the two studios I hang out in - have some commission deadlines coming up, and although I was sad that the workshop at the Blue Mountains Creative Arts Centre did not go ahead, it gave me the opportunity to drive a loved one to the airport for his overseas trip.

What Ive been working on this week

Coming up:

North Shore Craft Group's Exhibition at The Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Gardens

Breathing Colour's

'Can't wait Til Summer'

Group Show
Julie Simmons, Donna Ravenscroft, John Klein, Kirana Haag, Steffie and Neil Wallace, Mellissa Read Devine 
Exhibition: Tues 9th Sept- Sun 28th Sept
Official Opening: Sat 20th Sept,4-7pm

Breathing Colours
446 Darling Street, Balmain.
Open: Daily
Hours:10am to 5pm