Holiday Mode

I have been very blessed and have had the time and the resources to go on a small overseas holiday. Spending 5 days and 4 nights in Fiji was a welcome break - despite the weather brought on by the nearby cyclone. (Vanuatu was sorely hit, and I encourage you to donate funds for the relief effort http://www.redcross.org.au/cyclone-pam-vanuatu-2015-appeal.aspx)

Some souvenir craftwork - wood carving & tapa cloth

 I had planned to paint or sketch whilst on holiday, but the wind and rain we had most days made it quite impossible. The last day cleared up beautifully however. Here is the view and a 5x7 inch pastel sketch.

I was most depressed coming home! I think I felt the holiday wasnt really long enough, but I have got over it and recently finished work in the studio - including a couple of linocuts. Inky fingers after a printmaking session is a most satisfying sign of a productive day.

Merlin overseeing the printing of "Boy"

"Watching William"

"Fertile Soil" Acrylic 60cm x 50cm

A busy week ahead!

The Sydney Royal Easter Show starts and Preview night is on Tuesday. Always a highlight in a Sydney Artist's Calendar.

I am giving a painting demonstration for Fun Time Art - run by Elaine Butler

I'm off to see the stage production of the musical "Les Miserables". Ive seen it a couple of times before, and this is a birthday present for a family member.

The Hawkesbury Artists & Artisans Trail of which I am a member, will be holding an exhibition "The History Keepers" at Sassafras Creek Gallery, Kurrajong, Opens Sunday 29th March.

And wait there's more!

I have a poll on my website of my 2014 paintings (most of them). I would love it if you could vote for your favourites. It comes in very handy to know what people like when I get round to printing greeting cards etc.

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

Cheers!

Picture Diary

Portrait Day at Community Arts Workshop

New Garden Painting
Acrylic 92cm x 51cm

Ikebana at Breathing Colours Gallery
My painting "Cicada Landscape" in background

Welcome to the world! Indigo Harper.
My niece.

"Pageant"
Acrylic 76cm square

Patricia Devine & Lyndal Campbell at Lyndal's solo show opening
Purple Noon Gallery

http://www.holyfamilyartshowandfair.com/#!lindfield-art-show/c1fc5

http://www.breathingcolours.com/

Milestones

The Devine family recently achieved a significant milestone last weekend - the marriage of Daughter #1.  We have been honored to share/observe the birth/schooling/employment of our A_, not to mention all the growing up and personal achievements in between. Looking forward to whatever the next milestone will be in her and her husband's life!

I have included a glimpse of the day in pictures - the family hosted the reception and I feel like I've worked on a particularly large and prestigious exhibition - except this is much more important.

Now I can say 2015 can start anew for me. I have missed the entry deadlines for several art prizes due to not having a lot of new work, so I'd better get cracking!

Finished "Out to Dry"on Tuesday and it is currently hanging at Oatley 101s Waterbrook Exhibition this weekend.

Have since worked on a couple more and even dragged out a piece of Lino that I started maybe 6 years ago at least. (The little boy who is the subject matter is now in high school!)

 

A Cluttered Hard Drive

This is actually not about computers - I can only describe my state of being at the moment in terms of one.
We all know how frustrating it is to have a slow computer - one that is so full of information - useful or not, that its memory and processing capacity is sluggish at best. Well that is my brain right now. I never knew how much head space this wedding was going to take up. Even though I'm not running the show (thank God!), there still seems to be an awful lot of detail that appears to need my attention - like todays last minute thought of "does my husband still fit into his suit"?"and "how much should I be worried about the large mud wasp nest suspended 3 metres above where the bridal table will be..."

Anyway.

 EVERYTHING WILL BE FABULOUS AND NEXT WEEK MY GIRL WILL BE MARRIED AND ON HONEYMOON WITH MY NEW SON IN LAW.

I have still managed to think about art. I have entered shows, gone to the framers, hung out at art galleries and artists, and even booked an exhibition for 2016. The show must go on!

Macquarie Towns Arts Society invited me to give a painting demonstration. I have one photo - more can be seen on my Facebook Page.

Works in progress at the demonstration

At this month's meeting of the Australian Society for Miniature Art (NSW), we put together our collection of floral squares to plan a future display at Gosford Regional Art Gallery later this year.

Sneak peak of ASMA members collaborative work

This coming week I will be giving a printmaking demonstration for Liverpool Art Society. 10am, Thursday 19 Feb.  I am looking forward to getting inky fingers again.

EVERYTHING WILL BE FABULOUS.

Work in progress

Painting with Black

Normally I don't paint with black. I may use a little Paynes Grey, but usually I will mix the transparent red, blue and purple that are already in my palette, and perhaps add a touch of Cadmium Red.

But I have misled you, because this week the painting consisted of making blackboards for the impending wedding of #1 Daughter.

I also sewed some of the decorations - they look a little patriotic don't they?

Back to the studio! I continued with a long format landscape.

Went to the first portrait day for the year. This is the painting of Kate after a couple of hours.

and I had the opportunity for a quick plein air in oils. I plan to adjust it later.

Next week I will be giving a demonstration in my acrylic painting at Richmond NSW for Macquarie Towns Arts Society. All are welcome.

Cheers!

Pixel Pointilism

I recently had a discussion on Facebook, about how best to describe my work. I had always suggested it was "macro - pointillist" but decided it really didnt describe it sufficiently especially since pointillism is traditionally rounder dabs and dashes of paint, and sometimes my paintings are not pointillistic at all. I am influenced by so many styles and movements, like all contemporary artists - how could we not be with such a wealth of art history behind us. I think cubism is important, as is expressionism. So many "isms"! I will be content to mention impressionism as the major influence, and leave my work to explain the rest. Is there actually anything new in art styles these days?

I managed to finish a couple of works in the past week. The garden painting was started as a demonstration late last year, and I have eventually got round to finishing it.

acrylic (as yet untitled) 92cm x 61cm

 I also got round to reworking a painting I had completed last year. I had never really been satisfied with the background of "Duet" and now I can say I am! The original painting is in acrylic, and I reworked it with oils. As you can see the birds did not change a great deal.

"Duet 2" Oils on Canvas, 76cm square

Im off to see the last day of the CASS Art of Sydney Awards today. Looking forward to finally seeing all the works.

I will be a tutor in May for CASS - 1 - 2 day workshop in acrylics. Here is the flyer with all the tutors Book in soon!

Something Old Something New

 Almost reminiscent of weddings, but that''ll be next month when my daughter gets married, how exciting!

Anyway, I have completed new works already this year. The first. "Cicada Landscape" was finished and sent into exhibition before I had taken a photo - here is a glimpse. It is in long landscape format - 60cm H x 152cm W, acrylic. Currently at Breathing Colours for the month of January if you are interested in viewing.

"Cicada Landscape"

With the lovely set of oil pastels I received for Christmas, I had a little play. The painting on the left is oil pastel over acrylic on canvas, the other two are postcard size oil pastel over watercolour on paper

 I also have been working on 3 acrylics. Looking forward to completion!

I recently found some old paintings of mine during a "Post paintings challenge, old & new" on Facebook. And I thought it might be an encouragement to new artists if I put this up. Just to show how a few years (18) can improve one's arts practice. This is one of the very first paintings I completed - a present for my husband, as it is supposed to be a picture of him in Papua New Guinea.

Have a lovely week.

I Have Finally Decided Its 2015

Such a slow start to the year for me (some might say its been denial), but the canvasses are on the easel, I have made a few lists, the office job is still paying me and we have eaten all the mince pies. Christmas is well and truly over, and the year starts anew. I have even done some wedding planning for my daughter #1 - just as well since it is NEXT MONTH.

"The Inner Room" 91cm x 46cm

Where am I art wise? I finished the year with two abstracts - I'd like them to be bigger but enjoyed the process. I created 86 artworks in 2014, had 2 solo shows and took part in numerous group ones. It was a very good year, and I thank God for it. I'm excited to see what 2015 has in store for me.





The first show off the rank is a group show at Breathing Colours, Balmain. Opens on Saturday 17th January.

http://www.breathingcolours.com/

The Combined Art Societies of Sydney hold their annual "Art Of Sydney" Awards at the Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour. 23 - 27 January

"Favour In Corinth" 91 x 46cm

I'm still not completely focused artwise. What I do have planned are several demos and workshops around Sydney. I also have a joint exhibition with my mum Patricia Devine featuring BIRDS, and a SCRAPERBOARD exhibition with Taryn Malzard. I also have new work being planned for galleries in Melbourne, Adelaide & Gold Coast, and I plan to travel there too!

Have a lovely week.

Twas the Week before Christmas...

Breathing  Colours Gallery

Ok, now its the day before Christmas and I have just finished a breakfast of jelly and custard - couldnt waste it - it was left over from the trifle I needed to make.

Its been a very social week - you must forgive me for no new works to show you. I have shed a tear after visiting my lovely students at their centres, as I am not taking the clay disability classes next year. I will miss them.

Breathing Colours Gallery had an opening that I simply had to attend on my way to a friend's birthday party. Pictured are Julie Simmons, Patricia Devine and Robin Hill.

19 Karen Contemporary Art Space
My paintings & glass sculpture by Andrea Fiebig

Also had work newly hung at 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace. Unfortunately I wont be able to visit the Gold Coast anytime soon, so my paintings will have to do.

19 Karen Contemporary Artspace
sculpture 'Signs of Life' by Amanda Shelsher

 Wishing you and yours a wonderful end to the year. I will wish you a Merry Christmas - no matter your belief, I wish to bless you from my own traditions and faith.

Looking forward to what 2015 has to offer!

Its Beginning to Look A Lot Like.. The Middle of December

 Yes I know Christmas is around the corner, and I actually enjoyed an afternoon in the shops on Tuesday afternoon - went to Westfields in Hornsby and wandered about trying on perfume and hand creme (for no other reason than I wanted to) and picked up a few gifts for loved ones. But, there are daughters who are moving house / planning overseas trips & or weddings, dogs and cats that need to be fed and paintings in my soul that wish to be created!

Had an exciting delivery on Monday. Yes I know it looks like a pile of boxes but inside are 30 canvasses! Art Scene is one of my suppliers and as it was their sale week - what an opportunity not to miss. I adore the thrill of new projects.

Still had to battle summer storms whilst driving to and fro. On Thursday, artist-friend Julie Simmons and I braved the elements to attend "Into The Light" a joint exhibition featuring the luscious paintings of Richard Claremont and the peaceful clarity of Jane Canfield. Held at 2 Danks Street Waterloo, I recommend a visit!

Richard Claremont, Kristine Ballard & Julie Simmons

I was SO inspired after that night, I just wanted to PAINT. But life still needed attending to and I went to the office instead. On my gallery duty day at Ferry Artists Gallery I did paint a coffee cup, .... because I could. And later that day finished "Flying Home" 

"Flying Home" Acrylic 24" x 60"

I have also started new works that I cant wait to get back to

Underpaintings and a coffee cup!

This coming week sees an Opening at Breathing Colours Gallery

and there is also the under $600 show on at Purple Noon Gallery as well as new works arriving at 19Karen Contemporary Artspace.

Links to the galleries on THISPAGE

Have a good week!

Out & About in the Rain

It has been a very wet week. My empty wetlands have filled up and my little dog is a nervous wreck from all the thunderstorms. I quite like storms - they are a respite from the heat. But they aren't much fun when you have to drive in them, and when you want to hold an exhibition, it will definitely put a dampener on the festivities.

"Sturt's Desert Pea", Acrylic on Canvas 12" sq

I delivered some paintings to the framers to be made ready for delivery to 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace on theGold Coast.  Hopefully by next week! I also managed to finish 3 more works.

"Haredenbergia" Acrylic on Canvas, 12" square

 The Blacktown Art Prize opened on Friday. The Arts Centre looked fabulous, and there are some very good works there. I recommend a visit. It was lovely to catch up with a few artist friends also.

Julie Simmons, who had her work acquired by Blacktown City Countil

Mum and I in front of my painting "Sanctuary"

There is a lovely 150 year old church (St.James) in Pitt Town, not far from where I live. When I heard they were putting on an art show, I wanted to be part of it as a ''local artist" The show was just on for the Saturday and the church looked marvelous. I had both prints and paintings exhibited, it was beautiful to see my colours mirrored in the stained glass windows of the church. 

Printmaker Sheila Sharp and I setting up a display

Sandstone & Stained Glass.. and my paintings

Purple Noon Gallery also opened a show on the Saturday. All works under $600 and I made quite a wishlist in my head of cushions, jewelery and exquisite little etchings. But boy did it RAIN. Never a good thing to happen during an opening, tends to keep people away, but it was a very nice evening nonetheless. Go check out the show!

Purple Noon Gallery, Paintings and Cushions

And here are some very nice pieces of jewelry, with some little canvasses by Yours Truly.

 Have a good week everyone. I wonder if we will get rain every day like last week...The watertank must be nearly full by now!

"Domicile" Acrylic on Canvas, 40"x30"