Sunday 25 May 2014

Artists' Diary Week 6
This was the first week in such a long time where I haven't put brush, pen, pastel, charcoal or oil onto a surface. Now that doesn't mean there were no artistic pursuits happening, I was just pursuing them in a different manner! 

The week started in Brisbane with me spending a few days with my wonderful daughter just relaxing and pottering in her garden. When she went to a uni lecture on Wednesday she said why don't I pop down and see the watercolour exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery.
'Transparent Watercolour 1850-1980'
http://www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current

Oh my, what a show! The paintings have stood the test of time and the gallery allows one to photograph the exhibits. Wow! So, following are some imperfect photos but I am sure they will give an indication of this wonderful exhibition. These are all by JJ Hilder, just stunning. Some other represented artists are Bessie Gibson, Vincent Sheldon, Vincent Brown, William Bustard, Roy Parkinson and F W Potts and many, many others. So, if you are in Brisbane take the time to visit the cultural precinct and enjoy this wonderful exhibition!






After a very late Wednesday evening I was off to Westmead very, very early on Thursday. Headed back to Richmond to organize the hanging of Macquarie Towns Autumn Exhibition. Needed a rest so scooted home but kept thinking of a painting that still needed framing. So of course that is what I did. Back to the show with said painting, a pastel, and to complete the sorting of the hanging. The helpers did a great job!

Friday visited the Art Scene at Ryde to collect frames then off to the opening of our exhibition that night.  Remember that pastel I had to frame, glad I did because it won 1st prize in the pastel section, pretty happy about that!
'Golden Morning, Castlereagh'
Was also happy to pick up a Highly Commended in oils
'The Gallery'
But wait, I have left the best until last, Best in Show with a watercolour! Now I wasn't expecting that!
'The Unity' Best in Show

So, the weekend was an easy one until Sunday afternoon when I decided it was time to get the bookwork up to date. Aaaaarrrggghhh!!!!! For a bit of light relief went to collect unsold work from the MTAS exhibition.

So, this coming week it will be out in the field painting, some framing and really I can't think any further than that. I just need to paint! It has been a few very hectic weeks!

Thursday 22 May 2014

Artist Diary Week 5

I am very late this week, haven't had access to my files since Sunday night.
Started last week with more deliveries and collections. So many shows this time of year.
Tuesday afternoon I ducked down the road for a quick plein air session.

12"x10" tree study oil

7"x14" South towards Penrith oil

I followed this up with another quick plein air session on Wednesday morning with my painting buddy Gloria Galvin.

10"x12" Nth Richmond Farm oil

12"x24" Along Terrace Rd oil

My next 2 day workshop will be at Grose Wold on an amazing property where we will be doing some plein air as well as studio work! 

On Thursday I had lunch with my dad and sister at our favorite Yum Cha Restaurant, always a good feed. Also delivered paintings to my courier and collected some for myself and good friend Mellissa Read Devine and then spent the next few days on and off tracking some LOST work. Good news tho', the courier had them all the time, just misplaced not lost!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday saw me teaching at the Art in Action workshops at Merroo in Kurrajong. Had some very enthusiastic participants who all said they enjoyed the experience and learned some new techniques. Teaching can be tiring but also very fulfilling and to see people go away with a smile on their face makes me happy too! 

 Teaching techniques for Yupo paper
 The NSW Govenor, Marie Bashir visited and had a lovely chat. She is truly an inspirational woman and if ever the chance arises to hear her talk it should not be missed!
 One of the subjects which the students tackled and they did a very good job of it.

After finishing for the weekend I headed to the airport and onto a flight to Brisbane to spend some much needed time with my daughter!


Monday 12 May 2014


Artists Diary Week 4

A day late this week but had to get in the studio and do some framing. 
Last week was another full week and trying to remember back over 7 days is sometimes a bit difficult. 

Visited a gallery in Balmain to organize an exhibition for September, a bit of pressure helps to motivate one to produce some good work. 
http://www.breathingcolours.com

Delivered to some shows and collected from others. Spent time in the studio painting some full sheet watercolours.

'Beechworth'
'The Sydney Training Depot'

Went out late Wednesday afternoon to the back of Windsor with some friends for a quick paint.





 Spent Friday Evening at the opening of the Hunters Hill Art Prize. I was chuffed to receive the inaugural award for the Best watercolour with my 'Postcards from the Kimberley'.

Thank you to 'TWT on-the-spot Photos'
Also, was pleased to pick up Best in Show at Hawkesbury

'Across Cornwallis'
and a first in watercolour! 

'Along Windsor Rd' (Sold)

Spent Sunday with my man at some wonderful open gardens at Springwood where all proceeds were donated to the MS Society, a very worthy cause. Couldn't help ourselves and bought some MORE plants so the late afternoon we planted and watered.

Next weekend I will be tutoring at Art in Action at Merroo in Kurrajong. There are still a couple of vacancies for my classes as well as some others. If you are interested please check out the website for more information.
http://www.combinedartsocieties.com/Details/Art%20in%20Action/4/

Happy Painting everybody!







Monday 5 May 2014

Addendum to week 3

I was pretty tired this morning when writing the weeks' blog and forgot about the most exciting part. Always am indebted to those who purchase artwork.
Sunday evening saw me and mine collecting unsold paintings from Winmalee Artfest.
My dear friend Mellissa Read Devine won a well deserved prize for one of her works and also sold one piece. I was fortunate enough for two of my works to head off to new homes.


'Dial-A-Dump'


'Plein Air, Blayney'

All in all, a good week!



Sunday 4 May 2014

Artists Diary Week 3


We have had the most wonderful Autumn weather here and consequently I have been torn between my garden and my studio! So, I gave each a bit of my time.

Had two exhibition deliveries this week, one to the Hunter Valley and one closer to home at the Hawkesbury Show. Spent some time gathering subject matter in the Hunter and had a nice lunch with my man at Morpeth.

Got into the studio finally on Tuesday and did just one full sheet watercolour, still thinking about this one. 

 
'Kangaroo Island'

My studio was in such a mess with all the recent shows, taking down of paintings but never managing to get any back on the walls that it was a bit problematic stepping back for the long view. A major sort out was needed. Spent some time doing just that but really, it was still a mess.

I was heading out to paint on Wednesday but my friends and I ended up having a rest day and watched Herman Pekels new DVD. We were all enthralled and if you like watercolour I can recommend it.  
http://www.apvfilms.com/show_product.asp?id=323

On Thursday I was determined to get into the studio, so between cleaning and sorting I completed another full sheet. Am pretty happy with this one.

'Perched'

Friday was sorting some paperwork, entering more shows and then in the evening attending the Camden Art Prize opening. Was pretty amazed to win the Portrait prize and happy to receive a HC in watercolour. Caught up with lots of artist friends and their partners.



Had a lovely day in the city on Saturday, visited the Sydney Living Museum for an exhibition on 'Iconic Australian Homes'. Some wonderful architecture embracing our distinctive landscape.
http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/exhibitions/iconic-australian-houses
After lunch my friend and I attended the Australian Ballet performance at the Opera House. We have been subscribers for 25 years and love this day together.

Sunday saw me at a workshop with the very talented David Newman-White doing a portrait day. He is a great tutor and we worked
 hard in charcoal, pastel and then with oil pastel, a medium I have rarely used before but it was good to push oneself. Our model was the amazing Harold Hunt O.A.M. This gentleman talked about his life, he is 88, the whole time he was sitting for us from his childhood through to being a drover, shearer and working in the social field for substance abuse. What a storyteller and what a privilege to spend this time with him. It still has a way to go.

'Harold'

That was the week that was!