Sunday, May 25, 2014

Artists Week ending 25 May 2014

As I am typing this on the Monday 26th, and have a HUGE week ahead, Im thinking "what a quiet relaxing week that was" ...



Went to Hunters Hill with my mum to collect unsold paintings from the Hunters Hill Art Exhibition. A very nice lunch at the local restaurant and a delightful visit to the little gallery there. Met a new artist Kerri Kerley whose works were emotive portrayals of indigenous children in watercolour &; mixed media. Click on her name to visit her website.

Thursday had exhausting fun creating drypoints and clay work with a couple of disability classes, as well as delivering to Macquarie Towns Arts Society for their Autumn Exhibition.

"Postcard from the Gold Coast"
The opening was on Friday night, which was well attended. I also had the pleasure of picking up a couple of "Highly Commendeds" for a small magpie wood engraving and one of my "postcard paintings".



I spent Saturday morning with the MTAS display, talking to visitors about the work, and happily assisting them with their purchases. I also met with a new friend who had organised to pick up a couple of my paintings there from a previous sale earlier in the week.

Saturday night opened a small soiree at the Ferry Artists Gallery. More talking and smiling, and I felt wonderfully energised (considering how tired I felt just before I got there).

Other art related visits that week included a trip to The Art Scene to order some framing and a visit to Purple Noon Gallery to discuss my impending exhibition opening 7th June.

Saw a movie "Chef" which was a lovely light movie with interesting use of social media in the plot and AMAZING food. "Food Porn" I think that might be termed. Anyway, my daughter and I were starving hungy afterwards and in the absence of Cuban streetfood, we had to make do with Italian instead.



Finished two more paintings for the Exhibition. I think I should just concentrate on the big one thats on the easel for this last week of preparation. We shall see ....


"Cowra Japanese Garden" 92x92cm

"Territory" 76x76cm


Coming up:

Painting Demonstration at Bankstown Art Society Friday 30 May. All welcome.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Artist's Week ending 18 May 2014


Shifting into a faster gear now that the date of my solo show "Open Garden" is looming. 2 weeks to go, and I can say say I am confident of a good show. Maybe I can even think of cleaning the studio sometime soon.

A busy couple of classes teaching - (clay sculpture, glazing) and then a visit to The Art Scene for supplies and some frames. I can always find something I 'need'. I will often buy my supplies online, (various sites), but it's nice to browse and check out the merchandise from time to time.

Spent a day at The Ferry Artists Gallery in Wisemans Ferry. A little quiet for a, Friday, but I caught up with fellow artists and was privy to a special meeting in preparation for a future project the Gallery will be involved in.

Friday night Tara Anglican Girls School opened their árt exhibiton for their "Great Day Out" Celebrations. It was rather nice to see that they hung one of my works next to the House of Fraser Diamond display. It was also one of the best catered exhibitions that I've been to. Food & drink plentiful and of very good quality. Well done to all involved.


The weekend was all paint! 3 works finished this week:
Feeling Happy!
 
"Wonga Takes a Walk" Acrylic, 92x92cm
"Currawong" Acrylic 60x30cm

"Rose, Geranium" Acrylic & Oil Pastel 60x90cm



Monday, May 12, 2014

Artists Week - Ending 11 May 2014

I have only just had a chance to get on the computer after a busy Sunday. It was Mother's Day, and as I am one, and I have one, it was a lovely time spent with loved ones. I hope you were all as blessed. Right now I am compiling this whilst eating Darrell Lea chocolate covered ginger I recieved; oh and watching the rerun of the Eurovision Song Contest too. - Apart from the talent and spectacle - how about the amazing set and lighting!

Superb Lyrebird
Monday I took a drive up to the lovely Hunter Valley to pick up some paintings for myself and fellow artist Julie Simmons. I took the scenic drive going there and I was so excited to see an actual lyrebird cross the road! Id never managed to see one before.

Tuesday was a meeting with the Hawkesbury Artists & Artisans Trail. I am going to share with pastellist Taryn Malzard for the open studio weekend in August


Had a particularly busy day teaching on Thursday - my new second class was bigger than expected and I was running out of clay which was a bit stressful - also there was a misunderstanding with the timing - I had planned for 1 hour and the centre planned for 2 hours. Phew! All sorted now, and I look forward to seeing them again in a fortnight.

Friday, I attended the Hunters Hill Art Show with Julie Simmons and her husband Neville. I was very happy to have my work hanging there. And marvellous to give an appreciative whoohoo! when Julie took the stage for her 1st prize in watercolour. No photos as it was a day I forgot the phone, but here is Julie's blog 

http://www.originalonesies.net/
Saturday, spent most of it in a furry teddybear onesie. Definitely no photo of that! I managed to do quite a bit of painting. The highlight of the day was when I had to drive my daughter up the road so she could collect her horse - then when I got back, I had to get out of the car (still in onesie) to open the temporary gate erected that neighbours had put over my driveway to stop their cows from escaping up the driveway.




Saturday night I thought I'd better get dressed to go to look after the Art Exhibit at the Hawkesbury Show. How nice it was to find I'd received a Highly Commended for both a miniature and a drawing, and sold a linocut. I truly think that the quality of the art section entries are getting better every year. Just what I need - more competition! ;-)

Exhibits at the Hawkesbury Show
Roses and Childrens Art
 So, another week gone and what is the creativity tally? 2 completed and 3 works in progress.


Looking forward to the Tara School For Girls "Great Day Out" and their Art Exhibition 16 & 17 May

Sunday, May 04, 2014

Artists week ending 3rd May 2014

We are into May? Goodness me, luckily I have started finishing off my works due for exhibition early next month. The first 4 were delivered to one of my framers on Monday (Purple Noon Gallery & Framing). (OPENING 7TH JUNE BY THE WAY).

Movies on Monday "The Winter Soldier" Go Captain!


On Tuesday a trip to Winmalee to deliver works to their art show that was held on the weekend. I was unable to attend but I heard I received a prize for one of my prints and sold a piece which is always a boost.

Also delivered work to the Hawkesbury Show which is on next week.

I also have been doing a heap of paperwork - a necessary chore if you want to be organised about finances, works in shows & galleries, and promotion. 

Thursday was a hectic day teaching a couple of classes. We had a lot of fun - the first group worked with stencils and the 2nd group painted a table! (For an ongoing mosaic project) Whats not fun about painting furniture :-)- and some of the class really enjoyed participating which was gratifying to see. Luckily I left no paint on the floor etc and only a couple of students went home with paint on their clothes. Miracles happen!

Broadbeach on a beautiful Autumn Day
Friday was "get on plane day" - who doesnt like those days? A trip to the Gold Coast for a couple of nights.
"Tribute to Michael Jackson's best film clips" opened Friday night at the Sofitel Broadbeach, organised by 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace. What a great night with lots of people to talk to. I hope to get some more photos later.

In Michael Jackson mode
Cate Everett Devine and myself

Great crowd at the opening

My two works are on either side of the reception desk

Lovely news to keep me going this week - My entry into this years Hunters Hill Art Exhibition was accepted, and I sold a painting at the QLD gallery (19 Karen).

Have a lovely week, I myself need to get into serious painting mode for the coming exhibition/s.