Warm Wishes

Its starting to feel a lot like christmas, the tree is up and decorated (wonderful job kids) and the pressies are all wrapped. Only 3 days of work to go, then 2 weeks of freedom to relax, create and socialise. I've got a lot to be thankful for, but top of my list are my kids! They are both such unique individuals that totally amaze me everday with their brilliance in everything they do!

So to my friends, fellow bloggers and followers, I hope your year has been full of what you love and nutures your soul.

Wishing you a very safe and happy xmas and a new year filled with love, new and exciting adventures and unlimited creativity!

Circular Language - Works on Paper

27 Bowls at the Metro Arts

One of over 200 paintings, there is "27 Bowls" on the wall at the Metro Arts for the recent Belle Arti Art Awards. All the same size, the works looked amazing together up on the walls.
Lewis Miller was the winner, check out more about Lewis and the awards by clicking HERE and HERE.

On the Surface

Images of bark from trees and plants taken at the Brisbane Botanical Gardens, Mt Cootha. It was kinda nice wandering through the garden with Dylan while it was drizzling rain which seemed to intensify the texture and colour everywhere we looked. Thanks my Dylan for coaxing me into a walk after discovering the water dragons around the lake.

"Eggs"cellent Job Girls

This is Ruby, Rita, Roxy and Rosy, my gorgeous egg makers who lay huge delicious eggs.

For some reason the girls all lay their eggs in the same spot with one always sitting on them till I come and take them away. Using the fresh eggs, I baked a decadent chocolate cake for the kids, and
a Spinach and Fetta Quiche for lunches. Yum, thanks again Girls!

Not much progress in the studio at the moment, but check out my friends blogs, lots going on out there in blogland! Candice Herne, Nicola Moss, Sophie Munns.

Belle Arti - Chapman and Bailey Art Award 2010

This is my entry in the Belle Arti - Chapman and Bailey Art Awards 2010 which will be exhibited at the Metro Arts, 1/109 Edward Street, Brisbane from 22 November - 3 December 2010. I, along with many other artists, including BAD Co-op members, have submitted entries, so why not come along for a squiz!

All the works had to be done on a 40cm x 40cm canvas supplied by Chapman & Bailey, the makers of fine art stretchers. Also available - conservation framing, contemporary art space, fine art materials and contemporary fine furniture.
I've included some photos below of the developing painting as I like documenting the process.

For me, painting these pieces is quite meditative and the paintings evolve very organically.

Colour makes its way onto my palette and depends very much on what I feel like using that day.

My son came up with the name, "27 Bowls" so simple but lovely.

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.

Pink Ribbon High Tea Fundraiser

My good friend Nerida held her annual fundraiser today for the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Good friends, yummy food and lots of games, competitions and raffles to be had all in the name of raising money for research and hopefully a cure.

One of the fun competitions was patty cake decorating, everyone come up with something creative and fun.

So pretty and delicious.
Individual and elegant.

This one with the grapes and vines was the winner (yey Donna!).

And all a lot of fun.

My friends and patty cakes have a lot incommon!

Somethings Fishy Around Here......

Dave caught it and I cooked it, Chilli and Lime Baked Snapper, Yummmm! Hope everyone had a great weekend, we did, catching up with good friends and eating lovely meals.

Our front paddock during the heaviest rain last week. After the rain finally cleared it was good to see so much new fruit coming on and everything so green.

Limes and mandarines, lets hope we get to try the mandarines this time before the sneaky possums get stuck into them.

And the biggest surprise, a pineapple!! (I planted this about 4-5 years ago and moved it 3 times and its finally happy where it is).

A little bowl painting I am working on exploring texture and depth.

Blog2Print

How wonderful is this, Blog2Print will turn your Blog in to a Blog Book, a hard copy version to keep forever, click HERE for more info or to order!

I discovered this when I was reading one of my favourite Blogs "While Tangerine Dreams". Click HERE to check out how good Kathy's Blog Book is.

Works in Progress

I finally got organised enough, after all the recent travelling, to get back in the studio today and pick up the brushes. I'd drafted this small painting over a month ago and decided to tackle it so I could look at it and feel like I'd accomplished something today.

After I've established the shape of the bowls, I work up the colours.

Thought you might like a peak at my very messy work area. I got a happy surprise when I looked at this photo, it gives the painting a 3D effect from this angle!

When I'm happy with the colours and shapes, I add a little texture and finish all the edges. This photo is not doing the final painting justice, my camera is on the blink and I had to use my phone camera and its flash kept going off and washed the colours out a little. Oh how I lust after a good camera and photoshop (oh yeah and some photography lessons)!

In August I also drafted these 2 paintings up onto canvases- click HERE to see this posting again. Today I finally added some colour and I'll post the progress as I go.

Magical Montville

After a nearly year long trip around Australia with her husband and 2 small children, my good, good friend Candy has recently settled in Montville. Click HERE to read all about their travels and view amazing photos of their journey. I am so glad to have them back at last and went up to visit last weekend for birthday celebrations and a catch up. My drive to their place was full of wonderful photo opportunities.....

Letterboxes of all shapes and sizes.....

Very old sheds.....

Moss and Lichen covered seats on the top of mountains...

And then I turn into the road they live off and look at the view they get smacked with everytime they turn into their street!

Candy's clay works are the subject of my most recent paintings, beautiful hand built organic shaped bowls that have been saggar fired.

Little houses.

Candy and her family's new home is totally awesome and settled deep in a rainforest however I'm not going to show it here, Candy can do that when she's settled and ready, as its her story to tell.

But the wood stove and firewood are hints at how cosy their new home is.

The last photo is the art studio, magic things are starting to happen in here so keep an eye on Candy's blog for more on this in the near future.

So glad you're back Candy, am looking forward to working with you on lots of new art projects.