My Obsession

I love making bowls out of clay and I love drawing and painting bowls, its been a passion of mine all my life. When I was in primary school, I remember Mum taking me along to Clay Classes on Saturday's and I loved it. The pieces I made then, and throughout high school, are still proudly on display in my parent's house.

Candy Herne kindly gave me permission to paint some of her pieces that she exhibited at the Brisbane Institute of Art back in 2004, when we did a couple of Clay Workshops together. This is Candy's work below. The bowls were hand formed and then either raku or sago fired. I think the way they are displayed here conveys a lovely sense of unity.

The bowls below are the work I did throughout a semester and were called my "Soul Bowls". After the exhibition I gave all my closest friends one for Christmas that year filled with affirmations. These bowls were formed by ripping pieces of flattened clay and pressing the pieces together in a mould. I used many different types of clay, buff raku, red raku, stoneware, terracotta and porcelain. I glazed the inside of each bowl and left the outside of each to show its natural qualities. I wanted my bowls, through my process of construction to convey strength, fragility, love and sacredness.

(SOLD)
These are the first 2 paintings from the series I am currently working on from Candy's beautiful collection.

(SOLD)
I am so excited about this series!!!

That Moment by Katrina

I thought our family and love was tight
But slowly it unravelled and fell apart
I’m not sure quite when the moment happened
When it was ok with you to break my heart

Life and the small stuff got in the way
blurring the most important things
and while looking out for everyone
I inadvertently dropped all the strings

Spreading myself so thin
thinking you had my back
I didn’t see that you had already walked out that door
and had gone too far off track

So now I walk on my own
My new journey teaching a lot about me
Gosh I never realised till now
My inner strength and determination the key

Dayboro Community Art Gallery Blog

The Dayboro Community Art Gallery now has its very own Blog http://dayborocommunityartgallery@blogspot.com/ to compliment its existing website http://www.dayboroartworks.asn.au/, where all the gallery members can post information about their work, activities and exhibitions.

The Gallery was established approximately 13 years ago in the old Plumber's workshop, an historic quaint old building. The Gallery is a not for profit organisation run by the members and new members are always welcome. To keep the Gallery fresh and exciting, every 3 months we change over the art in the Gallery. Each month, a different member features as "Artist of the Month" and has a whole wall dedicated to their art. This month Judy Midgely and Avril Towerton are our featured artists, both very talented prize winning artists.
Its very exciting for our small gallery and will help to promote the artists and reach a new audience all over the whole world!!

Botanique 09 - Wearable Art - Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Mt Cootha

My friends Candy Herne and Sophie Munns are participating in and exhibition where Art meets Fashion.

To see a fashion parade of exquisitely designed Wearable Art:

When: Tuesday, 13 October, 6.30pm

Where: Japanese Gardens, Botanic Gardens, Mt Cootha Road, Toowong

Tickets: $25 before 5th October and $30 after.

Phone: Bettina Palmer 0405 402 340.

All funds raised benefit the Botanic Gardens Trust Fund.

For this special event Candy will be exhibiting and selling her first whole collection of Art Couture Head Pieces.

The Wearable Art will be displayed at the

Randall Studio, Botanic Gardens, Mt Cootha Rd, Toowong

from Wednesday, 14th October to Sunday, 18th October.

Opening Hours: 10am-4pm.

click here to see a sneak preview.

Rachael Lee "Transitions" Art Exhibition at Doggett Street Art Gallery

Spring Garden Party and Fundraiser at Artist's Residence

Last Sunday, 13 September, a group of friends and I held a Spring Garden Party. My wonderful friend, and as I like to call her “Events Coordinator Extraordinaire”, Pauline who co-owns Isabeau Jewellery and Gifts with Eleise, came up with the idea and asked if she could use my home and garden as the venue. My friend Sue and I readily agreed, loving the idea immediately.

To make it as much fun as possible and contribute to the wider community, we set about making it an afternoon tea party “fundraiser” with entertainment, shopping and raffles. Tell me who could resist?
On the day, four party plan business came including Robyn from Fashions on the Go, Cathy from Chocoholics Anonymous - http://www.chocholicsanonymous.com.au/, Pauline and Eleise from Isabeau Jewellery and Gifts and Nicky from Usborne Books and put their exciting and creative wares on show. If you would like more contact details about these businesses, please contact me and I can provide contact details.

Four lovely ladies attending the party agreed to be models and participated in a fashion parade to display the wide range of beautifully fashionable clothes. Good job ladies, I think you all may have found another career option! There was something for everyone as there were more clothes available to look at and try on than most of your leading fashion shops.

To complement the clothing, there was an exciting range of jewellery and handbags available from Isabeau Jewellery and Gifts to suit any and every outfit. Also available is a range of unique giftware.

Kathy from Chocoholics Anonymous had a delicious variety of chocolates to tempt everyone and Nicky from Usborne Books had a wonderful and diverse range of children’s books on display.

Alfina from Alfina’s Coffee Shop at Eatons Hill contributed the most scrumptious chocolate brownies, date cakes and delicately divine lemon merangue tarts for the high teas – thanks again. Alfina also jumped in and served the coffee and tea after seeing how inept I was at doing it!

There were many raffles run throughout the day which were donated by the stallholders that attended, as well as the organisers of this event. Again thank you to everyone who contributed. My good friend Nerida made an heirloom quilted Christmas tablecloth which was highly sort after. Thanks again Nerida.

Thanks to all the ladies who arrived early, we could not of done it without your help. My kitchen was a hub of activity when we were plating up the high teas for approximately 70 guests.

We placed coffee tables all over the backyard for our guests to enjoy the lovely spring afternoon and my neighbour, Norma, allowed me into her garden to cut her beautiful white roses to place on each of the tables. To ensure that we had enough coffee tables for the event, my wonderful father whipped up an extra 2 coffee tables for us to use – thanks Dad.

Candy, my wonderful artistic and creative friend, http://candiceherne.blogspot.com/, http://hatdesigns.blogspot.com/, sort out a camera and took the wonderful photos that are displayed here.

My front yard was used as the carpark which I think at its fullest had about 30 cars in it Thank you to John and Bill (Pauline and Eleise’s husbands) for helping set up on the day and co-ordinating the parking. Only one of my friends managed to get in trouble for double parking and blocking other cars. John let her off with a warning this time!

Also thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket and came and participated on the day, it wouldn’t have been a success without you all. I appreciate that some of you had to travel quite a distance to my place out in the sticks on the Northside of Brisbane so thanks for making the time.

All of the guests had the opportunity on the day to vote for the charity they wished to see the proceeds donated to (approximately $1000) and I am happy to announce that the final votes meant that we donated the proceeds equally to the RSPCA - http://www.rspcaqld.org.au/, The National Breast Cancer Foundation - http://www.nbcf.org.au/ and The Leaukemia Foundation - http://www.leukaemia.org.au/

It was a fantastic day, everyone’s positive feedback and encouragement was most welcome and we will do it again next year!

More Just Hanging Around

Just Hanging Around

ARTIST STATEMENT

Well after much work and reflection, I think I may have come up with an Artist Statement that I am happy to use for the time being. I would appreciate any feedback, comments, suggestions, etc.

Painting, collage, sculpting, felting and creating with found objects are all passions of mine. Creativeness is like breathing to me; it nurtures my soul and gives me endless hours of joy.

Wherever I am, I find myself observing my surroundings with an “artist’s eye”, just about anything I see is assessed for possible material for a future painting, sculpture or wall hanging. When I walk around my bush property or along the beach, I collect seed pods, feathers, sea shells, broken glass and interesting pieces of wood or rocks or leaves.

My practice is an ongoing personal journey for me and I am still trying to find my way. Having a diverse range of interests means that I am always exploring different mediums and subjects.

Walk out that Door

I wrote this about 5 years ago when I was going thru a rough patch....................

As I walked in the bedroom
I could see in your eyes
you didn’t want to be there
you’d long ago said your goodbyes

So leave now
Walk out that door
Don’t look back
Can’t take it anymore

it wasn’t the right thing to do, the right thing to do.

Everything you do comes back to you
why couldn’t you be the man i needed you to be
and see what was going on
too many things weighing on me

it wasn’t the right thing to do, the right thing to do.

The consequences
didn’t bring peace
you made a move
that only bought more grief

it wasn’t the right thing to do, the right thing to do.

Wild Man Boy

I wrote this poem for a friend going through a hard time.....

WILD MAN BOY

Wishing things were different
hoping things will change
walls of regret and disappointment
an invisible self made cage

Perceived thoughts of lack of choice
Put you there, my friend
When exactly did it happen
the point where you just gave in?

Your soul searing eyes
can’t see mistress Addiction
smothering you with illusionary comfort
while hope slowly seeps from within

Lie down in night’s warm embrace
with the moon and the stars up there in space
Nocturnal lullabies will ease your pace
thoughts of a better life, your saving grace

Life is now, don’t wait for it to begin
Each new day good things happen
Scooby scooby doo, where are you
No one hurts you, like you do

Soul Bowls

Loving the idea of getting back into working with clay. This is a piece I created 5 years ago. Exhibition at Nona Gallery, Windsor.

Katrina's Code - a work in progress

KATRINA CODE

Be good
Try hard
Keep going
Good things will come

Move forward
Don’t look back
Keep your chin up
Be strong

What doesn’t kill you
Will make you stronger
make you a better person
Stay positive

Good things will come
Don’t hold onto resentment
Keep breathing, in and out
Get out of bed every morning

God never gives you more than you can handle
You have to be strong for the kids
(but who’s gonna be strong for me?)
I miss someone being there who had my back.

Be good
Try hard
Keep going
Good things will come

Still Life

A quick painting I completed the other day. Am working on ideas for the BAD Co-op Exhibition next year - 2010.

Recently there was a tidy up at the Dayboro Community Art Gallery and this old work bench, previously used by the plumber who owned the building originally, was being discarded as it was quite broken down.

I couldn't let such a priceless piece go to the dump and rescued it for my own!

After many hours (thanks Dave for all your help!) the bench is once again useful and has pride of place in my art work room.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service

Last month I gave blood for the very first time. By becoming a blood donor, I have joined an important group of people who save lives - approx. 21,000 blood donations are needed each week just to meet demand.
I urge every healthy person I know to consider this vital service, its free to give and helps over 300,000 australians each year undergoing treatment for cancer and blood diseases as well as over 3,000 babies born prematurely or with serious medical conditions.
It only takes an hour of your time and benefits so many people in the community. Please think seriously about donating.
I did, it wasn't scary and I was made to feel very comfortable and appreciated.

Weekend of Art and Friendship

Wow, what a weekend!! On saturday, I went to the monthly Brisbane Artist Development Co-op Meeting (BAD Co-op for short) and it was so inspiring and the people wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. Ran into an old friend that I haven't seen for 16 years and reconnected, so amazing. Following the meeting, went to the Perculator Gallery at Paddington where members from the BAD Co-op were exhibiting their amazing works - Nicola, Uta and Helena. Good on you guys, you are all so talented and your works inspirational!
On Sunday, I attended the monthly member's meeting at the Dayboro Community Gallery - so spirited and lively!! Had the best day, it was my rostered day on and I was worked off my feet with customers and selling member's work. I have never sold so much work in one day, I think we made half our month's sales today. Feel very satisfied and motivated that the Gallery is moving in the right direction to participate in the competitive world of art!
Well am going to work on my artistic direction now, review my "Passion Map" and get some inspiration to produce some quality work!!

Friday Night in Brisvegas

Well I am finally doing it, adding stuff to my blog, its taken me awhile but I am committed!! Its friday night in Brisbane, its 10pm and I have finally found the time to do something that I have wanted to do for so long - join the blogging world!

On the Shelf

(SOLD)

Grandma's Favourite Spot

Pumpkins

Flowers in a Blue Vase

Bugs in My Poppy Garden

Finally getting my stuff together - Cane Weaving