A Bit of B.A.D. News

I attended the monthly Brisbane Artist Development (BAD) Co-operative meeting yesterday and had a blissful day surrounded by like minded, supportive and nurturing artists.

Sophie Munns chaired the meeting, taking time out of her very busy visual arts practice where she is currently doing amazing art works inspired by her love seeds, the planet and sustainability. Love this work below Sophie!!

Untitled - Sophie Munns

Sophie bought to the table yesterday, a discussion about FAILURE after reading an article in Artist's Profile by Steve Lopes. We paired off for some of the discussion, I with a very nurturing and insightful, Jen Conde. We talked about our fears in terms of our artistic practice in a safe environment, and am grateful to the other attendees for sharing so much. A line from the article that stayed with me is "Art is a struggle between self-doubts and high confidence." Very true and something I have learnt that even the greatest artist's struggled with, even Picasso.

"Maddies Wish" - Jen Conde

Sophie also asked the question - "Where do we get our ideas?" What inspires us? Simple questions that perhaps some of us don't actually sit down and give time to thinking about. Sometimes all it takes is someone to ask a question or two, to get us working out where we're going with our art and voice it within a group of like minded people who get it! Thanks again Sophie!
Anita West an inspiring and very talented artist, just had a sell-out exhibition in Sydney (Congratulations!!!) and generously shared with us her journey, from getting the art work down to the Trevor Victor Harvey Gallery in Sydney, through to Opening Night. Here below is one of my favourites from her recent show.

"Red Sky with Cows" - Anita West

Following the break, Denise Dillon Bolland , another talented artist and Art Therapist, ran a Workshop for the members called "Treasure Mapping with a Twist" which was an exercise in trusting your intuition and listening to your inner voice. It helped me see things about myself and my art that I did not consciously realise. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process, ripping out pictures and words from magazines that I was drawn to and pasting them onto paper to create a "visual map". Below is what I created during the exercise and it has revealed many things to me, two obvious things being that I cram so much into anything I do and I love colour.
Denise also reminded me to remember to have fun with my art and let go of expectations which I really tried to do. So many wonderful words Denise, I loved "witness the emergence of forgotten dreams and new directions for work and play".

Finally, quick snaps of a painting I am currently working on.