I have had a struggle with these 2 paintings - for a local show at the 'Tree Frog Gallery' - based on the theme of' 'Transparency'. I must have 'nearly finished' these canvases at least 4 times over the past 4 weeks. Last night, I scrubbed the paint back yet again and scribbled some painted marks over the textured background. OK, not great, and very predictable, but definitely the best of a bad bunch. Delivered to the lovely Heather a couple of hours late, but she is very forgiving.
Does anyone else have trouble with this issue????
'Outback'
'Midlands'
The other work I have been stressing over is a major piece for a major juried Sunshine Coast exhibition [SCAP]. Very healthy prize money involved, but I would be thrilled just to be accepted to exhibit. This was also a slow process - I fiddled around with the background for ages, but once I was happy with it, then the energy flowed easily as I added each layer of major brush mark making. I like this piece - this is my true passion and this is where I want to head in the future.
My statement....
"I enjoy the Eastern tradition of meditative mark making for its own sake - each brush has its own characteristic and creates a different mark. In this painting, the combination of painted marks tells the story of movement and energy as if being blown around by the wind. Each painted brush stroke is dancing - alive and free - a simple and noble expression of just what it is".
"East Wind"
so....what's next?? feet up for a few hours then a dinner party [at Fiona and Barry's], the exhibition opening, a Mixed Media Madness workshop at the Rosebed St Gallery, popping up the 'Pop Up Gallery' in a new shop in town, a trip to Nth Qld [Ingham] to do another MMM workshop [all in a week], then getting back to planning the next trip to Japan in 4 weeks time.
Ahhhh - the life of an artist.
les noirs se sont affirmés et les traits plein d'énergie! c'est beau!
ReplyDeletethese lace inspired me ... :)))) black asserted themselves and features lots of energy! this is beautiful!
DeleteI don't think Google translate got it quite right - hahahah - but thank you Elfi - I'm happy that something has inspired you
Sounds like you are stretching yourself a bit thin Noela. Take a break. Love your palette in all the works...and send good vibes for your SCAP painting.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo - how do you say 'no' when it's all stuff you enjoy?
DeleteWe dont realise what goes on behind the scenes! You are busy. I am enjoying playing with a fabric book after your last post, so thank you for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteGreat news about the fabric book - I am also playing with a fabric ALAW book - it's meditation for me
DeleteN- the pieces looked great in the exhibition - so it was worth persevering - like how the sanding back created some lovely textured layers. B
ReplyDeleteYes, it's amazing how in retrospect, all works out for the best. Thanks for your support, Baz
DeleteThey look great N - and the SCAp piece is very dynamic! Fingers crossed for you...
ReplyDeleteThanks F, good to have a rest now after all the panic, and thanks so much for coming to the opening - your support means a lot to me XX
Deleteje vais me faire aider d'une amie.. pour les commentaires en anglais :)))) elle n'est pas toujours disponible...
ReplyDeleteHi Elfi - I can always translate your comments to English on Google translate - nice to hear from you - in any language :)
DeleteWow Noela insprational stuff & you have succesfully achieved what you have set out to do.
ReplyDeleteCan I put a plug in for future ATASDA workshops with my blog
Thanks Jacki - re future workshops - yes, i am always keen, especially with the lovey ATASDA ladies
DeleteOh YES Noela I am with you!!!! I am not big on creating 'TO' (a theme etc.,) either. I feel so very restricted within my creative process. One might say working to a theme is a disipline, perhaps? However, pure magic happens in spontaniety and given the freedom to express with no limitations, especially when deeply rooted as a free spirit... K x
ReplyDeleteps; all the best with selection in SCAP, fingers & toes crossed for you!
'pure magic happens in spontaneity' - love these words, Kim, thanks for the crossed fingers X
ReplyDeleteI do think a lot of artists find themselves in the same dilemma because they want their work to be in exhibits or sell or be appreciated by others and yet these sort of themes can also inhibit or change the artist's nature that they are not true to themselves..I think that is why you struggled with these pieces. Lesson learned perhaps? just know that you are not alone.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support, Donna. I haven't learnt my lesson - struggling with another small themed exhibition - the issue here is supporting a friend! Off to Japan again in 2 weeks to escape X
DeleteLong time no talk Noela but this is fantastic - looks amazing and love to see the Eastern traditions still coming through!! Cheers!!
ReplyDelete