Happy New Year everyone

 It has been quite some time since my last blog and I thought I should get back into the swing of things.

I now have a new website, check it out!  
www.juliesimmonsfineart.com 
This last year was extraordinarily busy and the beginning of this year has been no different.
I have been working on a new body of work using primed canvas as my support for watercolour and already exhibited in a solo show at 
Breathing Colours Gallery in Balmain.

'Abundance' Sold

'Breaking the Fast' Sold

'Fresh'

 

As you can see they are quite stark in their presentation but they also a delight to paint.

 

My next solo exhibition is looming large and opens on the 12th March at Purple Noon Gallery

 

 

 I am delighted to have been awarded the Combined Art Societies of Sydney 

'Artist of the Year'

for 2015. 

 

I can see this year is going to be as busy as the 2015!

 

What's coming up

 

Waterbrook Art Prize

Portland Art Purchase Prize

Knox Rotary Art Prize

 

Happy Painting!

 

 

Gone is the weekly blog....was good while it lasted but started to become a chore and that was not my intention so will now be blogging when time permits!

Had a great time tutoring a weekend workshop at Little River Art Studios last weekend.

Some had never picked up a brush before but still managed to produce some excellent work. All worked hard and completed 4 pieces each so should be commended for their effort!

Tuesday spent the day in Sydney collecting images and painted a few 12"x9" studies after returning home to help me to remember the day, everywhere between pouring with rain to bright sunshine. A couple of demos thrown in too!

Attended the opening of the Royal Arts Festival at the Sydney Showgrounds, always a good night and a wonderful time to catch up with so many artists and friends! It continues through until next weekend.

And for something different went to the ballet yesterday, have been a subscriber for 25+ years!

Short and sweet......Happy Painting

A Visual Diary

'Waiting' 60x50cms

Sudents' Work

'Fish & Chips'

Artists' Diary week ending March 8th 2015

Whew, what a week and I feel like I am actually starting to build up a new body of work.

Did a watercolour demonstration for the Kuringai Art Society, lovely bunch of artists and the only problem was I chose such a ridiculously difficult subject to do and couldn't finish in the allotted time. Learned a very valuable lesson and one I tell all my students

'Keep it simple stupid!

 'The Evening Market' 1/2 sheet w/c

Painted plein air around Wallace Lake on Wednesday after delivering paintings to the Portland Art Show.

1/4 sheet w/cs

 The Royal Art Society has their autumn exhibition showing, well worth a visit!  

Completed an oil over an old w/c I wasn't particularly happy with.

                   

Did some studio work of Burano, 1/2 and 1/4 sheets 

1/4 sheet demo

An FB friend is having a solo show, too far for me but for anyone closer would be worth a look. 

 So what's next?

Will have a few pieces in this show.

So many shows on and have managed to miss two deadlines completely!

Doing a watercolour demonstration Tuesday night for the Macarthur Art Group at Narellan.

Too much happening methinks!

Happy Painting!

Artists' diary Week Ending March 1st 2015

March already, really and I was going to have so much completed by now but just haven't managed it!

But...

I am delighted to say my painting 'The Wetlands' was selected but the judge Susie Devenport as the winner of this years' Waterbrook Prize! I am even more astounded that it was an oil......have only exhibited oils a handful of times as I am still learning the vagaries of this amazing medium.

Managed to get out early Monday morning to paint the 'Big Top' again 1/2 sheet watercolour, the circus has now gone so worked up a large sheet painting from one of my studies.

 Following are some watercolours from various classes and demos from this last week.

There are still some vacancies in my watercolour workshop at Little River Art Studios, it is a great venue and I promise a relaxed and fun time!

 And, there are only a few days left to book a place for my Norfolk Island Plein Air painting trip in June. There are still a couple of spots available. Follow the link and Maria will be able to assist you.

https://www.norfolkislandtravelcentre.com/events/en-plein-air-julie-simmons

What's coming up...Tuesday night at Kuringai Art Society a watercolour demonstration

Deliveries, teaching and on Friday evening the opening of the Royal Art Societies Autumn Exhibition, always worth a look!

Happy Painting!

Artists' Diary Week Ending February 22nd

Haven't achieved a great deal this week, sometimes life seems to take up too much of my time!

I did manage to get out and paint plein air on Wednesday.

'The Bigtop' 56cms x 38cms

This was followed up on Thursday with a watercolour demonstration for the Society of Mountain Artists. I so enjoyed painting the circus on Wednesday I did it again from my original painting.

Scooted home from Wentworth Falls, dropped off my man and headed to Baulkham Hills to teach. 

Friday taught my normal class the RAS.

Took some time out to go to the pictures on Sunday to see the 'Imitation Game',

it is brilliant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5CjKEFb-sM

Happy Painting

Artists' Diary Week Ending February 15th 

Painting, painting, painting!

Am trying to get together three, yes three separate bodies of work. Consequently I feel like I need three parallel lives!

Sometimes I feel I should just stick to watercolours but when other mediums offer so much they are hard to forgo.

Have completed two 100x100cm oils this week of the Flinders. 

Did paint plein air on Wednesday at Nth Richmond but it was so hot and humid only managed to complete one and start another which was finished in the studio.

20"x8" and 16"x14" oil on board and on stretched canvas

Was very excited to begin watercolour classes at the Sydney Art School and was even more pleased to find a couple of school age students and the majority of the rest under 40!

Fridays' class demo at the RAS. 'Geike Gorge' 1/4 sheet

Thursday I will be doing a watercolour demonstration for the Society of Mountain Artsists, they are a great bunch!

Happy Painting!