Artist week ending 6 April 2014

Monday saw me delivering mine and fellow artist's work to the Lavender Bay Gallery for the "Interiors" exhibition that opened on the Friday (see invitation from last week's post).  Always lovely to catch up with artists and their art, and they make you feel very welcome at the Royal Art Society.

CPAS Artists at Winston Hills
 (Brian Richardson painting at easel)

Tuesday, I helped man the display at Winston Hills Shopping Centre for Parramatta Art Society. I believe over a dozen paintings were sold there during the week.

Wednesday, Julie Simmons and I gave a talk to members of the Castle Hill Art Society about "Social Media for Artists". Despite some technical glitches, it was well recieved - Julie and I making a great tag team sharing our knowledge and acquired experience of self promotion in todays internet driven world.

Ulla Lapidge & I getting in the way of our paintings,
Ferry Artists Gallery

Thursday was teaching a couple of classes of printmaking & claywork and then a catch up with a lovely artist friend at Bank Bazaar, Richmond.


Friday, attended the opening at the Royal Art Society

Saturday, not one but 2 openings! The Ferry Artists Gallery opened their newest exhibition, with a marvelous mix of works from members.

And then Purple Noon Gallery was a show I just had to attend also, as I adore both the sculptures of
Lucy McEachern and the linocuts of Vida Pearson.

Local artists with Vida Pearson (centre),
with her work pictured behind.
Purple Noon Gallery

Maybe Sunday was my day of rest, because apart from the morning visit to the studio before church, all I did art business wise was pick up my unsold work from Winston Hills.

Pretty full week I reckon. Two paintings worked on this week, one of them on paper instead of canvas for a change.







Next Week: Going to the Sydney Royal Easter Show Arts Preview, a look forward to annual event. And then maybe finish some of the many half done paintings I have vying for my attention.

Work on paper in progress

My favourite painting to work on this week

Artists Diary week ending March 30 2014

"Home-acre"
6"x 4"

"Usurper"
6" x 4"

2 Prints, 2 Paintings, 1 Portrait, A meeting, A movie, 2 Deliveries and an award.

I started and ended the week with linocuts. One that will go to Ferry Artists Gallery for their "Artistic Heritage of the Hawkesbury" exhibition, and the other to The Royal Art Society NSW for their interiors exhibition.

 A meeting was attended. The Hawkesbury Artists & Artisan's Trail has been running annually for several years now with an Open Studio Weekend in August. Due to a race being held on the river near me, it is never worth me opening my studio then, but I have a couple of venues to hang out at - Ill keep you posted.

Paintings were delivered to the Sydney Royal Easter Show and the Parramatta Art Society Show at Winston Hills Shopping Centre; and I was very pleased to hear I got a Highly Commended for a drawing at the Castle Hill Show.

Portrait Day at Community Arts Workshop, Richmond was an enjoyable one with Rachel of the beautiful red hair. I did end up with a sketch I pleased with , but I am afraid my Rachel was but a pale imitation of life.

This week's movie was "Noah". I was looking forward to a more gritty & realistic version of Sunday School's happy animal couples and their keepers. Some moments of brilliance - always love Rusty and Mr Anthony Hopkins, but I was a little perplexed at some of the story line. I feel like the way out concepts were cut down so as to not antagonise the good people of faith, but was it too much of trying to please everyone?.  As a person of faith myself, I did enjoy references to biblical content that dont usually get mentioned; there were a lot of "green" messages- vegetarians should also be happy, and the perpetual dilemma of mankind's dark side brought up some good philosphical questions.

2 Paintings finished this week!

"Nouvelle Cuisine"
20"x16"
on exhibition at Ferry Artists Gallery

"Times of Abundance"
30" square
Held for  future exhibition

 And here is a  pic of a new piece on the easel. See if you can guess what it might become.

Coming up next week:

Winston Hills Shopping Centre Exhibition
Talk on Social Media (with Julie Simmons) at Castle Hill Art Society
Opening of Interiors Exhibition, Royal Art Society NSW
Opening of Exhibition Ferry Artists Gallery

www.ferryartists.org.au

http://www.royalart.com.au/

Artist's Week ending 23 March 2014

Movies

Went to see "The Monuments Men"with my husband the other day. What a great combination of art and military - something for both of us! Great cast - also a couple of non American heros, Jean Dujardin being my favourite; and Cate Blanchet being brilliant as usual. It didn't rate well with the review but I thought it an enjoyable movie nonetheless.






Had a bit of a problem with work being couriered to a show (Port Stephens) this week. Lesson learnt: LABEL EVERYTHING! Oh well, the wasted entry fee can go into promoting art in the local community.

I delivered my work to Castle Hill Showgrounds for their Agricultural Show next week. And then I when to visit the artisans at Oakhill College for the annual "Art in the Hills". I was most chuffed to find that all three of my paintings had sold.







Garden Study 1, 23cm sq


Went photographing some gardens after church on Sunday - still lots to paint and print before my solo show end of May - the theme is "Gardens".

3 Paintings finished this week, and a linocut proofed and ready to edition after a bit more cutting.



Garden Study 2, 23cm sq



"Puparazzi" 92cm sq
Special exhibition at 19 Karen Gallery
"Tribute to MJ's 10 Best Filmclips"

1000 Woodcuts Updates: Announcing the FIRST! Puzzle Prints Solo

1000 Woodcuts Updates: Announcing the FIRST! Puzzle Prints Solo: Puzzle Prints in the Gallery Wonderful venue, large, well lit The show was up on Thursday and I visited both Friday and Saturday and I...

Artist's week ending 16th March 2014

The week started very well - with a visit from a lovely couple who came to view some paintings in my studio. Visits are always welcome - it gives me a very good  incentive to clean up!

One class for the disabled - continuing the clay platters started last week, a delivery to Woollahra Art Removals, a visit to Breathing Colours Gallery to pick up work & The Art Scene for framing & supplies.

Stan Stevens Room, Deerubbin Centre, Windsor NSW

Friends of the Hawkesbury Art Community & Regional Gallery (FoHACrg) held their Acquisitive Exhibition over the weekend in Windsor. Some very nice pieces there, (including 3 of mine!). I am please to say my friend and mentor Judy Brownlie's work won the prize and the acquisition.






2 paintings worked on this week, and I drew up a couple of linos ready for cutting. - These are going to be more in my wood engraving style, so I hope my eyes and hand are ready for the challenge!

The weekend was an indulgence. A clay sculpting workshop with Alan Somerville. Everyone worked on their own project so it was great to watch a  hare, horse, rabbits, cats, figures & torsos emerge from coils of clay. I finished a bust I designed my name in mind (Melissa means "honeybee"). I hope she is made well enough to survive the kiln in a few weeks time!

Lady with Beehive

Next week is the opening of the Port Stephens Art Prize, and "Art in the Hills" at Oakhill College, Castle Hill.

Artist week ending March 9 2014

Spent the Monday driving back from Queensland so the rest of my week has sort of been a 'catch up' after the holiday. Lots of paperwork to do, not to mention household chores - which I valiantly ignored as much as possible.

Thursday was well spent teaching a clay workshop with lovely people from Flintwood. We embossed &
 made marks on slabs then cut them into tiles for a future project. I have inherited this project from a previous teacher, and it is a bit of a challenge to take on someone elses vision. But one that I look forward to nevertheless.

"Cockatoo"

Next week will be a show run by the Friends of the Hawkesbury Art Collection. Called "Acquisitive", it is held at the Stan Stevens Studio at the Deerrubbin Centre, Windsor. 14 - 16 March I will have 3 works there.

I am also looking forward to a weekend clay sculpting workshop tutored by Alan Somerville, amazing artist and sculptor.

WORK IN PROGRESS 

Anyway, the new week has well and truly started, so I will leave this post with a piece I am still in the process of painting.

Artists Week ending 3rd March 2014

Stanthorpe Regional Gallery

"Sanctuary", my entry at the Art Prize

It was a holiday week this week! I had the opportunity to meet my husband in Brisbane and travel to Stanthorpe for the Opening of the Stanthorpe Arts Festival - the forerunner of the Apple & Grape Harvest Festival.




What a great opening, lots of beautiful entries from many different disciplines - painting, printmaking, crochet, photography, textiles, metal fabrication. Congratulations to all involved.

"Plan B" by Donna Davis

I enjoyed my visit to Stanthorpe very much. We stayed at Girraween Environmental Lodge at Ballandean - lots of lovely bush walks full of my favourite painting subjects - trees, rocks, birds. Visited artisans of other forms - cheese, wine, soap, wood.

I may be taking part in painting & drawing workshops held at the Lodge later in the year, feel free to let me know if you are interested and I will put you on my mailing list.

Before I headed inland, I visited 19 Karen Contemporary Art Space at the Gold Coast to swap some paintings over. I had a preview of their current set of solo shows that opened on Saturday - Auguste Blackman, Hugh Ford, Liesa Russell & Ray Paul. View images here

I am looking forward the their next show - Tribute to MJ's Best Film Clips, opening 2nd May at Sofitel Broadbeach. Here is a preview of one of my paintings that I finished this week for the show

"Stop Doggin Me Around" Acrylic on Canvas, 92cm sq

The Stanthorpe Art Festival can be seen at the Regional Gallery until April 13th.

Another show I have work this coming week  is at the Royal Art Society Autumn Exhibition, 7 March - 27 April

Artists week ending 23 February 2014

Am sitting here after a busy weekend being a student at an encaustics workshop taught by Catherine Garrod. So nice to be forced to 'play' at art making instead of keeping an eye on deadlines etc. Sigh, such a stressful life being an artist.

Little River Art Studio is going to be a wonderful new venue for workshops in the Grose Wold area. Set on a century old farmstead, amidst the green rolling hills of the region, we were treated to excellent tuition and hospitality for the 2 days. I hope to tell you more of the venue, once I am booked for my own workshops there..

I demonstrated acrylic painting for the lovely folk at Liverpool Art Society this week. Here is the 2nd painting which I spent most time on - this one I started at last weeks demo for Ryde Art Society.

Friday was spent volunteering at The Ferry Artists Gallery. An artist run space, and an asset to Wisemans Ferry and surrounds.

Saturday night I visited Purple Noon Gallery, Freeman's Reach. The first exhibition of the year opened with works by Jamieson Lawrance in his solo show Hawkesbury Mitosis. Well worth a visit. my favourite were the clouds of fairy wrens painted in an organic signature style.

Next week, is the opening to Stanthorpe Arts Festival (QLD) at which I am looking forward to attending opening night as I have work selected to be hung.

Here is a little glimpse of some paintings worked on this week that are clamouring for my attention....

Artist's Week 16 February 2014

2 Movies

My daughter suggested a night out to celebrate Valentines Day, since my dearest is currently overseas.

I wanted to see "Winter's Tale" as I am quite partial to Colin Farrell, and the story intrigued me.

Well, the visuals were wonderful - but I couldnt help thinking about poor snowbound Americans in the weather they have been having lately. There was a flying horse. Who doesnt enjoy that? especially Colin Farrell on a flying horse. And Russell Crowe being brilliant as a thuggish demonic character. But the STORY was all over the place. I wanted to enjoy it and feel the emotion of the film, but my goodness.

I later read a review of the original book, and maybe the film makers did me a favour - the book is a whole heap more complicated - I have put it on the list to read though.

A much better movie was "Philomena". I was on the edge of my seat, the story was so good (and based on true events). Dame Judi Dench absolutely marvellous as usual. I really recommend this.

Demonstration

Had a lovely morning with the members & guests of Ryde Art Society. I demonstrated painting impressionistic gardens in acrylics. As I take at least a week to finish a painting due to layers and not wanting to muddy the colours; I showed how I start a painting, and then with another already started, worked on it for an hour explaining my process and plans on how I would finish the work. 

I didnt have the forethought to take photos I'm afraid. But I believe it went well.

Exhibition - Waterbrook Art Exhibition

I had a couple of paintings in the Waterbrook Art Exhibition that opening on Friday, the theme being "I love.." apt because it was Valentines Day. Great opening, lovely paintings and I am pleased to say I am friends with some of the winners. Some of their paintings HERE

Painting

I finished a couple of pieces this week, a 12"square acrylic of a superb parrot (thats what the bird is called, I'm not saying its that wonderful), and an 18" sq acrylic of a lyrebird which I entitled "Dance to Your Own Song". I also worked on 5 other pieces including the 2 at the demo. All in all, Im happy with a productive week.

Coming Up

Next week I have a painting demonstration with the Liverpool Art Society, this time I will try and remember to take photos.

Cheers

Artists Diary - Week ending 9 Feb 2014

Exhibitions

3 Openings this week! I managed to attend 2.

The Hawkesbury Printmakers had their 2nd annual show at the Deerubbin Centre,Windsor, NSW. What a great turn out, and the quality of all member's work was very good. We had sales, but Im surprised there werent more. It is hard to get visitors to the venue on a weekend, so maybe that was it. Have a look at the Facebook page for more images.

Me and my mum Patricia Devine, with a fishy linocut of mine in the background

The Royal Art Society opened it's first exhibition for the year - Tutors Exhibition & Drawing. I was manning the sales table at the Printmakers Show, so I missed that one.

On the Saturday, I attended an opening for the group show "Brave" at Breathing Colours Gallery. I met some lovely artists and we admired each other's work. I bought my first photographic artwork - by Richard Walker - He is said to "paint with light". Cant wait to get it home and on the wall.
Here is a link to another favourite artist I caught up with - Gabby Malpas whose work I also wanted for my wall, but I need to wait till my bank account is healthier. Soon!

Rhodedendron & Yellow Teapot by Gabby Malpas

Classes

Brushed up on some charcoal sketching at Life Drawing, and on Thursday I started my class with some lovely people from Flintwood Disability Services.

Here are some monotypes from the class

Painting

After my whingeing from the week before, I am please to say I actually finished a painting - "Hillside XXVIII" and worked on a couple of other pieces.

Next Week

I am demonstrating painting for Ryde Art Society, Thursday February 13th at 11:00am  Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club Rydale Road, West Ryde, All welcome.

Waterbrook Art Exhibition 14 - 16 February, Yowie Bay - HERE for further information

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