Artist Diary 2nd February 2014

I DID NOT FINISH ANY PAINTINGS THIS WEEK!

There, I said it. I am aghast, and to some extent, depressed. Granted, I've been busy, but I'm always busy. Maybe I just allowed myself to take it easy. *small joke there.

Art Of Sydney held at the Maritime Museum Darling Harbour ended well. No sales for me, but still happy that unique pieces of art are being bought by the public. I helped out on the desk on Monday morning and spent the rest of the day enjoying Darling Harbour with my family.

I delivered paintings to Breathing Colours Gallery, 446 Darling Street, Balmain. This is a lovely little gallery in between Rozelle & Balmain on the main street. I recommend a visit - lovely jewellery, accessories and covet-able homewares, as well of course, some rather nice paintings.

'Brave Art'

Multiple artists

Saturday^1st February to Friday 28^th February

Celebration Nights: Saturday 8th and 15th February 4-7pm

An Exhibition that explores new directions, risk taking and the experimental

Drawing did happen this week - I took my new Christmas easel outside behind the house watertank and rediscovered the truly lovely piece of land where I live. I did spare a thought for the possible sleepy snake as I clambered over the rocks, but I was searching for the morning sun as it hit the moss covered boulders and saplings, and the subsequent shadows. My little dog was with me, as protection or bait I havent decided yet.

Whats on Next Week

A drawing and teachers exhibition is the first show on at Lavender Bay Gallery, Royal Art Society. Opens next week

As mentioned before,  "Brave", opening Saturday 8th February at Breathing Colours Gallery, Balmain.

And a special show - "All in Black & White" with the Hawkesbury Printmakers. This group was formed less than two years ago to bring printmaking and its delights to the Hawkesbury region. This will be the group's 2nd exhibition.

Artists Diary 26 January 2014

First of all, Happy Australia Day! Its been a huge week, husband home from overseas, daughter having wisdom teeth out and Ive had a birthday, which has seemed to have lasted all week, which has been lovely.

SYDNEY FESTIVAL

Sydney has been in arty party mode with the Sydney Festival. I stayed in town early in the week and admired the bouncy castle sculpture "Sacrilege", by Turner prize winning artist Jeremy Deller. No, I didnt indulge - I had meant to go the next morning, but it was temporarily deflated for repairs.

"Sacrilege" aptly installed in front of  St,Marys Cathedral

We visited the Spiegeltent and saw the show "Limbo" which was fantastic. "Dirty and Dangerous Circus Caberet" is the promoter's line. I have not visited the Sydney Festival before, and now I plan to get in early next year and book several tickets, and visit more venues.

GALLERY VISIT

We visited the Art Gallery of NSW to see the show "America" A survey of American painting. I liked it so much I bought the book! There are several American artists that I am not familiar with and I look forward to researching them online and maybe get to buy more books!

MOVIES

Went with the family to see "The Book Thief"  It was beautiful. I had read the book last year and the movie did not disappoint in any way. Definately several tissues worth of tears involved, I needed a quiet moment in the ladies loo afterwards to compose myself.


BIRTHDAY LUNCH

I didnt plan to review food (even though I find it a valid art form) on this blog, but I have to mention my visit to Lochiel House on Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong Heights. The Tasting Plate (about 5 courses) was a delight for the eyes and the tastebuds. I will go again.

ARTISTS ONLINE

Had a discussion with a gallery owner this week. Some interesting points were brought up regarding professional artists and their image online.
Basically it was suggested that online galleries and private online selling take the business away from ''bricks and mortar'' galleries and they are not good for the artist in the long run as they tend to be plastered all over the search engines in a non professional manner.
Personally I would much rather sell via a ''real'' gallery as there is a relationship between artist, gallery and buyer/collector; but this is not helpful for artists who do not have access to a good gallery.
What are your thoughts?
Is it possible to have too much exposure online and if it is of the wrong type, will it reflect badly on the professional image the artist is trying to build up?

Did I Actually Do Any Work This Week?

Not really, but Ive had a great week. Here is a taste of one of the Hillside series Ive been working on, and a pastel portrait created this week. Cheers.

Artists Diary 19 January 2014

It certainly is hard getting back into the swing of things, the year is powering ahead and I don't think I have caught up yet.

I have had some happy news - one of my paintings has been accepted into the Stanthorpe Art Prize, stay tuned for more news about that I hope.

Went to the movies to see The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Being a Tolkein tragic since I was 11, I must thank Peter Jackson for making January movie releases an event to look forward to with yet another movie. I enjoyed it very much, and the additional storylines did not detract at all

I managed to finish one painting this week ("My Heart Rejoices", acrylic, 12" x 12"), and I worked on 3 other works.

 

One Postcard this week

 

"Pandanus Postcard"
Available from ArtFido.com.au

 

Coming up next week will be The 24th Art of Sydney Awards at the Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. 24 - 27 January. Come and see if you can find my 4 paintings amongst the many and varied wonderful works.
 

Artists Diary

Dont know how long this New Year's plan will last, but here is the first week of art in 2014. Happy New Year!

Attended a meeting for the Hawkesbury Printmakers Inc - looking forward to our annual (2nd) show early in February. For details see our Facebook site

Watched "The Railway Man" at the cinema. A beautiful story of love, forgiveness, redemption. But be warned, it does have some very violent scenes (Japanese POW), a couple of people walked out.

I finished 2 paintings (on left - "Looking for Mistletoe & "Brush Turkey"), and started 2 more

I also painted a couple of 'postcards' - another New Years plan to do something creative when I am not painting larger works.

They are on temporarily for sale at Art Fido if you are interested.

Postcard from The Gold Coast I

Postcard from The Gold Coast II

So, thats my week art-wise, I still have yet to take down my Christmas decorations, but the easel is set up and the palettes are dirty - what a great way to start the year!

Remembering Spring

While half the world is freezing and the other half (mine) is sweltering, I had thoughts of cool sunny days in the spring garden at my mother's in Kurrajong, far west Sydney.

Here is the painting finished today.

"Kurrajong Spring" Acrylic on Canvas 30"/76cm sq

If you would like to see more of the work I have completed this year go to my 2013 Poll page, it would be great if you could vote for your favourites too.

Hope this time of year brings you happiness.

Summer Flowers and a busy bee

Happy early Summer! Here is a little impression of Portulaca, a painting 14"x 12"

I have had a busy couple of weeks, finishing and delivering work to Grenfell Gallery which is in Western NSW, a lovely town to visit.

Also, delivered my painting to the Hornsby Art Prize, which opens this weekend. And The Eutick Memorial Still Life Award opens next week in Coffs Harbour where I am very pleased to be a finalist also.

(Finalist also at Hawkesbury Art Prize - Purple Noon Gallery)

Somewhere in my immediate schedule I need to finish work for Ferry Artists Circus Exhibition, and an impromptu mini show at Breathing Colours Gallery.

And I thought I was going to give myself a rest!

Gold Coast - Balmain - Grenfell

My solo show "Sanctuary" opened at 19 Karen Contemporary Art Space on the Gold Coast last week.

"Bush Garden" Acrylic on Canvas, 76cm x 76cm

 For some photos, visit 19 Karen's Facebook Page.
For more details on the exhibition and to see what works are still available - click here

I finished a new painting the other day - this one is going to the Balmain Art & Craft Fair, which is on the first week of November.

"Happiness Must Be Grown" Acrylic on Canvas 46cm x 46cm

Also in November is the opening of "Woman to Woman ..to Woman" A group show featuring myself, and established artists Julie Simmons & Marcia Rea
We are all taking our paintings inland NSW and will be at Grenfell Art Gallery

Painting 28 August 2013

Madly into exhibition painting at the moment, I have a lot of canvasses in various stages of completion. I like to work on several canvasses at once - some I finish quicker that others and I can never predict which one. Maybe the paintings themselves choose.....

Here is a small painting - acrylic on canvas, 18" x 18" (46cm square)

"Things Which Are Before"

A Landscape and an Artist's Trail

In my frantic life I have managed to finish a little landscape today, as yet unamed. There is a beautiful shrub flowering in the bush at the moment, when the sun hits it, it is a blaze of purple pink glory.

Acrylic on Canvas, 14"x18"

Next week with the annual Hawkesbury Artists & Artisans Trail I will be a guest artist at Purple Noon Gallery, Freemans Reach. All details can be found on the website www.haat.com.au

3 New Paintings on Plywood

The inlaws have a new business (Kookaburra Ply) and I asked for some samples thinking I may be able to paint on the panels.

After sanding one side of the board (Formply has a smooth waterproof surface as it is used in concreting), I then primed, sanded and primed again.

 I thought I would paint as I normally would with a canvas using acrylic paint and bristle brushes. I had painted on board a long time ago, and it did take a while to get used to the way the paint went on. I think oils would have been a better choice, because I could have got a beautiful blend of paint on the smooth surface - it would have changed my painting style considerably!

Here are the finished pieces, already varnished and off to be framed and exhibited at Purple Noon Gallery.

Telopea

Well Into Spring

Eucalyptus

Wood engraving by Eric Gill

Thought I would post the occasional work that inspires me.

Here is Anointing, a wood engraving by British artist Eric Gill - Wikipedia article

Not sure of Mr Gill's personal religious views - especially after seeing some of his other works, but this depiction of the woman anointing Jesus with the expensive oil from her alabaster jar, with the indignant disciples looking on is a great pictorial reminder of the sermon I heard the other day.

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Exhibitions I am involved in this week:

Currently on

"Yesterday, Today"  ASMA Miniature Exhibition at The Mint, Sydney
"From the Stockroom" Group show at Breathing Colours Gallery, Balmain, Sydney
Royal Art Society exhibition at the Lavender Bay Gallery, Sydney

Opening this week

 "The Art of Cirque de Soleil" with 19Karen Gallery & Sofitel Gold Coast opens this Friday 31 May
"Figuratively Speaking" opens at The Ferry Artists Gallery, Wisemans Ferry, Saturday 1 June



Macquarie Towns Arts Society Exhibition this weekend.

When I moved to the Hawkesbury region in 2001 one of the first things I did was find the local Art Society. It has been a great support to me, both in friends, information, and opportunities to show my work.
This weekend MTAS are holding their annual Autumn exhibition in Richmond NSW.
For further details their blog is HERE

Gold Coast Group Show opens 31 May

I have a few shows coming up in May/June. This one is in conjunction with 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace & The Sofitel, Gold Coast.

The invite details for opening night are as follows:

Please join us for the opening of our group show, The Art of Cirque du Soleil  , hosted by The Sofitel Gold Coast, on Friday 31 May, 6-8pm.   This exhibition will showcase the works of 22 artists - Amanda Shelsher, Anne Smerdon, Beck Wheeler, Carmel Debreuil, Carole King, Clare Toms, David Green, Elisa Pettenon, Jacqui Doran, Jason Brynat, Jennifer Murray, Johnny Romeo, Juliet Foxtrot, Mark Warren, Melissa Hartley, Mellissa Read-Devine, Michaela Kloeckner, Midge Johansen, Rhonda Goodall-Kirk, Richard Denny, Sarah Beetson and Sonya G Peters.   MC for the evening; Kylie Mitchell-Smith of Mitchell Media   Featuring performers from CircaNICA, Inspiring Contemporary Circus   To be part of this exciting evening- RSVP (essential for catering purposes by the Sofitel) by 24 May Email; info@19karen.com.au or phone; 07 55545 019   Click here to view the on-line gallery     For other exhibitions & shows please see my website: http://depicture.homestead.com/exhibition.html

A successful exhibition and an amazing week

Brought home the remaining paintings from the show yesterday. Left 5 in the gallery for a future stockroom show.

Very happy with the show. It looked fabulous, the gallery staff were lovely and enthusiastic. LOTS of visitors off the street. I ended up selling a third of the exhibited works, so economically it was a success also.

For those who would like to see the works, they are online HERE

"Through the Branches Swiftly"
 

And as an extra  God given reward to several months of hard work, I also was fortunate to win:
1st prize for miniatures at Hawkesbury Agricultural Show
as well as Highly Commended for printmaking
1st prize for Contemporary work at Port Stephens Art Show
1st prize for Portraits at Drummoyne Art Show.

Now I just have to start working again for the next shows.... easier said than done.

 

Happy Artist

It doesnt take much to cheer up a depressed artist. Say meaningful nice things about their work. Visit their exhibitions. RED DOTS ON THE WALLS.


Opening night at Breathing Colours Gallery was lovely. I was running late due to traffic, so that did not help the anxiety, but once I got there and was honoured to have so many visitors - both people I knew and others I didnt. I finally began to enjoy myself.

Ended up having dinner with family and friends, and eventually got myself home exhausted, but serene. Actually I'm still exhausted 4 days later.

Didnt have a chance to take photos on the night so here are a couple from the day before and today.

My wonderful daughters in front of "Through the Trees Swiftly"

Myself in front of the gallery window and "5 Choughs"

In case you would like to know - I have currently sold 5 paintings, with interested parties negotiating for more. Exhibition ends on Sunday 21st April. (Closed Monday, open Tuesday - Sunday).

The work is done, now the anxious wait

I delivered my 25 paintings to Breathing Colours today. BC is a little gallery on Darling Street between Rozelle & Balmain. It has the most wonderful jewellry pieces and quirky objects, as a well as a very nice exhibition space that is available to artists whose applications are accepted.

My exhibition will be hung on Monday and open to the public on Tuesday 9th April. Opening is on Wednesday night. Thats the anxious moment, when you wonder if a. will anyone turn up, and b. will anyone actually buy anything. All artists would tell you that the worst thing that can happen besides not selling anything, is that noone will turn up. ah, the angst is setting in already. I'll let you know.

Later into the exhibition I will post a link to an online gallery of the show.

 

January Sale

I have put on heaps of prints on Ebay this month. Trying to make some room for up coming works.

I dont usually put so much on the auction site like this, so it will not be a common occurrence. Some works have a very low starting price. All $5 - $10.

Next week is my birthday sale of paintings so stay tuned!

 Link to Ebay site is HERE

Wood Block on an Etching Press

For some time I have been registering a multiple block using an old picture frame - the block would rest inside the left hand corner and the paper edge lined up with the outside of the frame. I found this worked quite well if I was extremely careful..and I was often hand printing with lighter papers.

I print my lino & woodcuts on the etching press using an old commercial printers rubber blanket instead of the wool and felt blankets (unless I want deep embossing). However, when I went to print the thicker blocks - like those used with wood engraving, I needed to  add some carrier blocks on either side to help absorb some of the pressure from the roller - protecting both press and carved block.

Registration posed a problem until I came across John Steins' Website . Here is what I delightedly made with my newly purchased jigsaw!

So simple. I did find the rubber blanket was a little soft - it pressed into the finer details which had a tendency to fill in with ink. So I used a piece of matboard instead.




Please visit this page on John Steins site for further details.

Proof of "Mrs Wren" 2 block wood engraving

Happy New Year!

Bookplate in time for Christmas

A last minute Christmas commission which I enjoyed carving very much.

 - Always love a print with a bird in it!

Field of Remembrance

One of the last paintings for the year (apart from the commissions I have going).

Acrylic on Canvas, measuring 76cm x 76cm (30"sq).

 

 

 

 

Pick your Favourites

Every year I post most of my work created from November - October onto a page where people can vote for their favourites. I invite you to come and have a look and if you would, pick 3 -10 of the works you like best.

http://www.readdevine.com/cardspoll.html


Just a bit of fun to celebrate the end of a productive year.

"Gertrude & Jekyll" Acrylic on Canvas 76cm x 76cm

Checking out the Block Printing Ink from Derivan

I finally was able to trial the new block printing ink from Derivan. Thought I would try a simple multiblock/reduction print.

First, print an uncut square in yellow.

Clean, then cut away everything that will stay yellow.

Pink will be next - I mixed my own colour using Acrylic Paint and Derivan's Block Printing Medium

 

Here is a picture of pink prints that I left with background texture, and some that I have masked.

Cut away the pink from the lino and print the green (mixed with white)

This is what happen when you print upside down!

With another block I had cut the full outline of the design. I printed it with purple mixed with a little black.

Being so used to oil based inks, I was a little dubious about using these. But the very fact you can wash up with water is so much more convenient than I first thought. Also, as I paint in acrylics, I have many colours, so the medium is very handy to use when I want a 'certain colour'. Will definitely use these inks again,

Events in October

Next week is action packed with arty goodness.

 On Friday night Macquarie Towns Art Society is opening its 50th anniversary Spring Fair Art Exhibition - I have donated the raffle painting, as seen on the poster below.

Saturday is the Open Day at Derivan 10am - 2pm, where the vivid hued acrylics I use come from. I also will be demonstrating there along with lots of other artists, and there'll be lots of activities for artists of all ages to participate in. See this link  http://www.derivan.com.au/resources/open-day-program2012.html

And on Saturday evening will be the "Mutts & Moggies" exhibition at the Ferry Artists Gallery, Wisemans Ferry. Celebrating our furry family members, I'm looking forward to seeing what the members have come up with (including me!).

Shows this Week

My paintings are busy exhibiting themselves this week.

"Trees" Group ShowStop by and come see all the wonderful ART!!Join us for our Saturday Evening Reception:September 22nd, 2012 from 6 to 9 pm

Creative Framing & Gallery,

5015 Woodminster Lane, Oakland, CA 94602 (510) 482-1200

Reception:

September 22, 2012 from 6 - 9 pm

Exhibition all of September

Northbridge Art Prize

Gallery 307, 307 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge

Opening: Friday 14 September, 6pm-8pm

Tue-Fri 10.30am-5pm, Saturday 11am-4pm

(closes 26 September)

 

 

Orange Blossom Festival

Annual Art Awards

HILLS SHIRE COUNCIL,

CARRINGTON ROAD, CASTLE HILL

Opening night Wednesday 19th September 7pm for 7.30pm presentation

Thursday 20th to Sunday 23rd September, open daily 9am to 4pm

Entry free

 

And most importantly, this month's blood sweat & tears are invested in

Sydney Art Expo

 

Art Expo

 

 

 

 

Opening next week will by Vertical Canvas at Spaceat565 Gallery and Cocktail Bar

– City of Sydney RSL, Level 2, 565 George St, Sydney, NSW, 2000

 

25/09/2012 - 29/10/2012

 

 

 

 

Busy getting ready for the next show - have visited but haven't exhibited at this venue before. The Watch House is the oldest surviving police lockup in Sydney (1854). Looking forward to my very own cell ;-)